It means more than better living conditions and food….
While better living conditions and food is paramount in healing, other issues are involved. A very large percentage of these people committed crimes due to drug addiction… wouldn’t it make sense to make sure we start with the removal of drugs, along with true and proper counseling? In most of the American prisons drugs, tobacco, and cell phones are easily obtained. If a person is allowed to continue their drug addiction while incarcerated you have to ask yourselves how that could be helpful in rehabilitation that is merely a part of prisoner warehousing.
- First Reform ourselves
- How we view crime and punishment.
- WE reform/ rehabilitate
- We do not reform, but merely warehouse people who may present a danger to the public
- We take revenge on people who have committed crimes.
- How do we view prisoners?
- Are they slightly above animals who merely need to be caged
- Are they people who need to be severely punished to discourage them from further crime?
- Are they our children who have not been trained properly… in other words are we willing to take some responsibility for their failure, by realizing it is also our failure as family and society?
- There is another option here… some people are criminally insane, and rehabilitation is simply not possible.
- Some are demon possessed.
- Some are demons in the flesh.
- So we must have professionals who can determine the category each prisoners comes under.
- If a prisoner is one of the last three… and there is no hope… and in a sense they can’t help who they are or what they do should we still treat them in some humane manner…. Or not?
- How we view crime and punishment.
PRISON REFORM
Why Prison Reform Matters in America
By The Charles Kock Institute
https://charleskochinstitute.org/stories/why-prison-reform-matters-in-america/
American prisons house more than 1.5 million
individuals, an increase of more than 390 percent since 1978. This growth
persisted even in the face of an overarching decline in crime rates since the
1990s and the longest terms of incarceration since we began to collect accurate
data. Over 600,000 men and women are released from federal and state prisons
each year. Upon release, these individuals will face many practical and social
challenges to rejoining their communities, with many of them facing barriers to
opportunity due to a lack of education and practical skills. A recent report
shows that the current strategies used by our justice system to achieve
rehabilitation and increased public safety have been ineffective, with more
than 80 percent of those leaving our state prisons being rearrested again in
the future. Most Americans agree with the conclusion that can be drawn from
these statistics: Something must change if we are to achieve an effective
justice system that protects and enhances public safety while respecting human
dignity.
Prison reform is one remedy to the ineffectiveness
of our justice system that many states and the federal government have
explored. Prison reform is focused on ensuring public safety and restoration
for those impacted by crime through the creation of a constructive culture
within our prison system. These reforms seek to alter the circumstances of
incarceration in ways that allow the system to model and incentivize the
attitudes, behaviors, and lifestyles conducive to personal responsibility and
self-control. Achieving these goals through prison reform usually falls within
two broad categories. First, ensuring access to programs which help individuals
gain knowledge, skills, job training, and positive values during their period
of incarceration. Second, by revising correctional policies to ensure that
minimal barriers exist to maintaining positive community relationships during
the period of incarceration. By providing individuals with opportunities to
gain productive skills and equipping them to strengthen their positive
relationships, we can help them achieve their full potential and transform
their lives upon returning to our communities.
One of the arguments for prison reform has to do
with reducing the number of people who are rearrested. Upon leaving prison,
those who have been incarcerated face significant barriers to their success
upon returning to our communities. It is estimated that in addition to the
societal stigma these individuals face, there are more than 48,000 legal
barriers that bar them from securing employment, housing, occupational
licenses, and many of the foundational things needed to be a productive member
of any community. Seventy-four percent of men released from prison are still
searching for employment eight months after their release. These many barriers
negatively impact public safety and inhibit those with a criminal record from
achieving their full potential.
Prison programming is an effective way to help
provide a person who is incarcerated with the crucial skills, education, and
character development he or she will need to be successful when leaving the
walls of a prison. The types of programming that can be provided to those in
prison differ, but the most popular types of programming include education and
workforce development, employment programs, life skills and family management
classes, mental health and substance abuse support, and various types of
religious programming. One way to facilitate these programs is by providing
community organizations with access to host such programs in the prison. Some
examples of local non-profits providing programming in state and federal
prisons include The Last Mile, Miles of Freedom, and Hudson Link.
Prison Reform Statistics Show Benefits of Prison
Programming
Evidence-based prison programming has been shown to reduce recidivism, save
taxpayer expenditures, increase future employment for individuals who are
incarcerated, and decrease rule violations in prison facilities. Here are just
a few prison reform statistics showing positive results when prison facilities
provide programming or allow non-profit organizations to provide such
programming:
Mental health support in prison was found to
reduce misconduct incidents by 22 percent.
Substance abuse treatment in one California prison resulted in a 48 percent
reduction in reincarceration.
One holistic faith-based program reduced future reincarceration by 40 percent
for those who graduate the program.
Educational and vocational classes have been studied extensively and found to
be some of the most effective programs in prison reform. Research shows that
these types of programs reduce recidivism by 13 percent, reduce incident
reports for prisoner misconduct by 4 percent, and increase post-release
employment by 13 percent. Every taxpayer dollar spent on educational and
vocational training programs for prisoners saves five dollars on law
enforcement and corrections expenditures in the future.
By implementing various types of prison
programming that have been proven effective, we can create a culture that helps
to ensure those with a criminal history are better equipped for productive,
law-abiding futures. This will ensure that those incarcerated can secure
meaningful employment, acquire true closure after punishment is fulfilled, and
avoid criminal behavior in the future. Through prison programming, we can
ensure safer communities, increased economic growth, and decrease the burden
placed on taxpayers to support our growing correctional system.
Individuals who are incarcerated have children,
spouses, family, and friends who desire to continue a relationship with them
while they are in prison. Incarceration makes it exceptionally difficult for
individuals to maintain healthy relationships with those who will be their
support system when they return home.
It is estimated that there are more than 2.7
million children who have parents in state and federal prisons. Many of these
parents were the sole caretaker for these children before they were
incarcerated.
The most recent data available reveals that visits
from family and friends are a rare occurrence while someone is in prison. Only
31 percent of those in state prisons had received a visit from someone in the
past month. The ability for many to visit their loved ones is impacted by
distance and a lack of understanding around visitation policies. Data from the
Bureau of Justice Statistics shows that 63 percent of those in state prisons
are located more than 100 miles from their families. While all jurisdictions
provide for prison visitation, there are significant variations among the
policies each jurisdiction apply to this privilege.
This lack of connection with positive community
relationships and strong family connections is detrimental to our entire
society. Prison visitation has been found to reduce recidivism, decrease prison
violence, and prevent the intergenerational cycle of incarceration. Prison
reform seeks to remedy this problem by ensuring that the policies of our
correctional system prioritize maintaining positive relationships between those
who are incarcerated and their children, family, and friends. This can be
accomplished by expanding visitation rights within prison facilities or
ensuring that distance from family and friends is a component of every prison
placement decision. By making these simple policy changes, we can ensure that
people in prison maintain strong family ties and build community networks that
they can call upon for support upon leaving prison.
Though America’s correctional system has grown at
an alarming rate, it has reached a state of diminishing marginal returns when
it comes to deterring future crime and increasing public safety. Prison reform
seeks to change the status quo by providing individuals with a constructive and
dignified experience while they are incarcerated and providing access to tools
to transform their lives. By ensuring that individuals have the opportunity to
use their time incarcerated in a constructive manner and allowing them to
maintain positive relationships with their support network, we can increase the
likelihood they become productive members of their communities upon reentry.
Prison reform attempts to achieve these goals on the path to increase public
safety by expanding prison programming and ensuring adequate prison visitation
policies.
Home: America’s
Prisons
Is it possible a better prison system would have a greater ability
to rehabilitate most of those incarcerated?
When we cage people
like animals in dangerous places
Should we not expect
them to act like dangerous animals… and realty be dangerous animals?
We must ask
ourselves these questions:
Will these people
feel like they still have value in the eyes of society?
Will they learn to
behave as civilized humans or more like caged animals?
How will their
mental growth occur when the food they are served is marked “Not Fit For
Human Consumption”?
When they are cold
in the winter, hot in the summer, without privacy, how will this affect their
physical and mental health?
When we treat them
like animals in a zoo… can we expect them to somehow blend into society
someday?
At the end of their
sentence and when we drop them off at a bus station with one suit of clothes,
$50.00 in their pocket and nowhere to go what is the most likely outcome?
And when they
continue their drug addiction on the inside, how can we expect them to overcome
this problem when it is the root to almost all crimes committed?
Ideas for Prison
Reform
test
Reform:
First Reform
ourselves
How we view crime
and punishment.
WE reform/
rehabilitate
We do not reform,
but merely warehouse people who may present a danger to the public
We take revenge on
people who have committed crims.
How do we view
prisoners?
Are they slightly
above animals who merely need to be caged
Are they people who
need to be severely punished to discourage them from further crime?
Are they our
children who have not been trained properly… in other words are we willing to
take some responsibility for their failure, by realizing it is also our failure
as family and society?
There is another
option here… some people are criminally insane, and rehabilitation is simply
not possible.
Some are demon
possessed.
Some are demons in
the flesh.
So we must have
professionals who can determine the category each prisoners comes under.
If a prisoner is one
of the last three… and there is no hope… and in a sense they can’t help who
they are or what they do should we still treat them in some humane manner…. Or
not?
Good nutrition,
proper exercise go a long way in proving overall health, and can help in the
mental rehabilitation… both mind and body feed off each other and contribute to
the development of the whole person.
We had one man who
was released from prison who was very difficult to even look at due to the
extreme condition of his teeth… When he entered our re-entry program a dentist
in our congregation offered to “fix the problem”. He removed his teeth, and
provided dentures… the transformation was amazing. He changed from a person who
was almost impossible to look at to a truly handsome man… there is no doubt
that he had suffered a lifetime of ridicule from others and his self-image was
horrible… this added greatly to his rehabilitation, and mental reform.
Zig Zigglar once
used the term stinkin thinkin… get rid of it. So many people suffer from this,
it is just amazing. And, once in prison it often gets much worse.
Dr. Caroline Leaf a
devout Christian phycologist who specializes in the brain and mind, how they
function explains how thought actually are a physical thing, and just as the
bible states we are what we think….
Let’s couple these
two things together… physical and mental reformation is going to aid in the
change of the emotional status
They must be given a
chance to learn a skill.
Through testing and
interviews we should determine the best course of action so they will be happy
in their work and become productive members of society when released.
Commercial prisons
must be either eliminated or revamped.
For example, let’s
say a major company builds a prison, (according to the provisions stated
above).
They will have a
work force that they know will be there.
They would have to
pay the men the same as workers on the outside, according to their skill level,
and hours worked.
The pay would have
money deducted to pay for any fines, restitution to victims, and to the support
of their families.
This would give them
sense of pride, being able to “pay their way” while possibly learning a new
trade.
Training in anger
management, forgiveness, and other forms of study that would help them learn to
control emotional outbursts, depression, or other issues.
Allow family visits
in a more pleasant atmosphere.
There is only one
way to reform the spirit
They must want this
They must learn
scripture through proper teaching
They must learn how
to apply it in practical terms in their life
They must know how
to defend their faith logically, through Christian Apologetics
They must become a
member of inside Christian groups such as Genesis 1.
We must learn to
treat them as human beings… not forcing them to view themselves as living on
the outskirts of society, but as a part of society, even while incarcerated.
Living quarters
should be comfortable and clean.
They have a right to
good, healthy food, and we have an obligation to provide it.
The also
demonstrates our respect for them as human beings, and American Citizens, even
when incarcerated.
The bible gives us a
perfect example of the perfect sentence with the eye for an eye example… we
cannot use the exact formula today, but the point is made… make it a fair
sentence.
In Denmark the
maximum sentence even for murder is 21 years… however they will not be released
until it can be proven beyond all shadow of a doubt they have been
rehabilitated.
And in the same way
release should be evidenced by the level of rehabilitation…
Sober / drug free
Healthy both
physically and mentally as possible.
Trained in a skill
in which they can earn a proper living.
The responsibility of Society.
A company should not
be able to refuse a former inmate soully on the fact the were in prison.
When they are
released from prison they should have a place to go if there is no family help.
There should be no
rent, in fact no charges for food, clothing or other necessary items for living
They should be
provided with transportation (not a car, but public transport) until they can
provide these things for themselves.
Re-educating the
public in how they should think about prisoners.
Knowing the person
has been fully rehabilitated or would not be free.
For people who continue to commit crimes,
then special
consideration should be given to the possibility they are career criminals and
no amount of rehabilitation is possible.
In this case, they
should be given the same treatment as mentioned above, for people can
eventually change.
And, they are still
humans with families that love and care for them…
Considering the problems in Society that is behind the fact
that we house almost 25% of all the prisoners in the world.
The following is
what I personally suspect is the problem.
Drugs
They come across our
southern border
The Hollywood movie
industry has romanticized the gang banger, gangster, drug dealing life to our
youth, especially our black youth.
Parents not being
parents.
Churches not
training these children in the truth of Scripture.
Liberal ideologs
that have succeeded in removing God from the schools, and
Have promoted the
idea of the intellectual elite being above believing in God or Jesus Christ
A good example is
provide by Norway
We need to look at the worst as well…. and
remember… who are we? who are these people in our prisons? Do we want to be
the best or like those in the worse of the worse?
Helping Prisoners successfully re-enter Society
There are several ways to find and fund the
positive reinforcements that allow prison environments to train and educate men
and women for returning successfully to society. An initiative task of
government officials and volunteers are needed to provide proactive remedies
{more than one) for overcrowded prisons. In our communities, we find one of the
major reasons people offend and reoffend are socially influenced and developed,
i.e., through inactivity, passivity and ignorance. Edmund Burke once said to
the effect, in order for evil to thrive all that is needed is for good men to
do nothing.
This is where the negative effect is felt and the persons who re-offend enter
our community. If those who offend do not have current skills and resources for
coping with individual needs (social needs previously unmet), they cannot
successfully re-enter our communities. Therefore, those who offend usually do
so from unmet needs or unfair and biased circumstances in the past.
Shouldn’t the initiative for legislators, judges, district attorneys, lawyers,
treatment providers, community activists, and corrections officials collectively
be the same? Most people who offend will return to the same society. All Human
beings need a positive sense of self-worth, current life skills, and a
determination to thrive and not just simply survive in society. This is not
something people should earn or even need to request. These needs should be
automatically acknowledged and addressed. Those needs must be protected and
provided without bias. Healthy self-worth is a human right, not a privilege.
If Department of Corrections is unable to adequately house inmates (an
environmental social system), looking at sentencing reform which results in
making our laws more humanitarian will be the first step. Most crimes we
currently call felonies should be misdemeanors. There should be a realistic cap
to sentencing. Unrealistic sentencing beyond a person’s natural life expectancy
is unnecessary. What credit does one seek when sentencing a person to 25 years
or more.
For too long we have ignored unhealthy social norms such as segregating instead
of looking holistically at the problems and solutions. All segregation means is
that we do not know how or what to do for fear of the inevitable i.e., facing
the malnourishment and passivity in our communities.
I was sentenced to DOC after a few years of working in communities as a
faith-based servant in my own community, attempting to serve churches and
communities; proactively meeting the needs of people with the people.
As an inmate at Dick Conner Correctional Center, I have a vision for delivering
faith-based services and programs that will meet the present needs of inmates
on a present and flexible basis. I believe this could be accomplished by
redefining and re-diagnosing terms respective to all people as equals
(Inmate/Offender etc.) However, I also realize our reach is limited without
cooperation from government officials, volunteers, community leaders, small
business owners etc.
My desire is to introduce faith-based groups who want to bring a practical
service or program to DCCC; it illustrates how faith-based groups can help
address the needs of inmates. If the leadership in our communities has a duty
to provide assistance, isn’t it to all. . . everywhere? If we are incarcerating
people, doesn’t that environment need to reflect the same rights and privileges
that are relative towards a proactive release? How we treat others either
encourages or discourages an outcome. If we are doing nothing, we are still
doing something.
Wouldn’t’ it be nice to see communities understand the full picture of what we
are facing? If we are going to link our arms together in an effort to address
the needs of people who have offended; who’ve became an inmate since offending,
then why are we still labeling them offenders? Is it because those who govern
have no intention to make all lives better? Couldn’t this give us safer
communities and hopefully, reduce recidivism? Aren’t many too often
reactionary, instead of proactive?
For each day a person is in prison, their likelihood of returning to prison
increases. Three months after an offender completes a program returning to
general population, it is as if they did not have the program. This has to do
with the way incarcerated people must live. People must live in an environment
with conditions they cannot control; conditions allowed by leadership. However,
when an Inmate is prepared in a “green social” environment and returns to
population, they succeed, influencing their environment. This environmentally
will work only when:
People are returned to society by lowering sentences and their caps.
People are treated like people who have value.
Prison environments are replaced with the Ideology of treatments, programs and
case environments.
People stop being forced to learn how to live in real society without realistic
ability to live out those changes.
People are not classified (treated) as their cases.
People who offend become inmates (people in program) not numbers and cases in
prison.
People returning to society have measurable goals with recommendations based
upon accomplishing their goals.
People are released earlier through a higher percentage of Judicial Reviews at
sentencing, to the strength of parolees.
People are allowed conditional release through involvement in community-based
programs and support from faith-based communities.
We need dialogue that is motivated by a unified
effort to incorporate best practices and will help us accomplish mutual goals.
Once a person offends, they are not an offender until proven one. It goes
without saying that once a person is convicted of offending, the responsibility
of treatment lies with the State. The offender is sentenced and this is the
punishment. After sentencing the offender becomes an inmate i.e., someone who
is treated according to their need for re-entry.
The question is, what are we making broken people
into when they resort to activities that offend? We must take responsibility
for treating people like animals and that is why they act like animals. We
treat our pets like people, and they take on similarities of human behaviors by
how we treat them. If we neglect their needs, we are still treating them
unfairly.
Sincerely, Loren Gier
Why do we need
prison reform?
First, what are the
three reasons for prisons in the first place.
To rehabilitate an offender
to keep a person from harming others
For retribution (revenge)
Reform Sentencing Guidelines
Sentencing:
The bible gives us a perfect example of the
perfect sentence with the eye for an eye example… we cannot use the exact
formula today, but the point is made… make it a fair sentence.
In Denmark the maximum sentence even for murder is
21 years… however they will not be released until it can be proven beyond all
shadow of a doubt they have been rehabilitated.
And in the same way release should be evidenced by
the level of rehabilitation…
Sober / drug free
Healthy both physically and mentally as possible.
Trained in a skill in which they can earn a proper
living.
Reform Sentencing Guidelines
Sentencing:
The bible gives us a perfect example of the
perfect sentence with the eye for an eye example… we cannot use the exact
formula today, but the point is made… make it a fair sentence.
In Denmark the maximum sentence even for murder is
21 years… however they will not be released until it can be proven beyond all
shadow of a doubt they have been rehabilitated.
And in the same way release should be evidenced by
the level of rehabilitation…
Sober / drug free
Healthy both physically and mentally as possible.
Trained in a skill in which they can earn a proper
living.
Reform Sentencing Guidelines
Sentencing:
The bible gives us a perfect example of the
perfect sentence with the eye for an eye example… we cannot use the exact
formula today, but the point is made… make it a fair sentence.
In Denmark the maximum sentence even for murder is
21 years… however they will not be released until it can be proven beyond all
shadow of a doubt they have been rehabilitated.
And in the same way release should be evidenced by
the level of rehabilitation…
Sober / drug free
Healthy both physically and mentally as possible.
Trained in a skill in which they can earn a proper
living.
Reform the body
Good nutrition, proper exercise go a long way in
proving overall health, and can help in the mental rehabilitation… both mind
and body feed off each other and contribute to the development of the whole
person.
We had one man who was released from prison who was
very difficult to even look at due to the extreme condition of his teeth… When
he entered our re-entry program a dentist in our congregation offered to “fix
the problem”. He removed his teeth, and provided dentures… the transformation
was amazing. He changed from a person who was almost impossible to look at to a
truly handsome man… there is no doubt that he had suffered a lifetime of
ridicule from others and his self-image was horrible… this added greatly to his
rehabilitation, and mental reform.
Reform the diet
They have a right to good, healthy food, and we
have an obligation to provide it.
This also demonstrates our respect for them as
human beings, and American Citizens, even when incarcerated.
Reform the emotions
Training in anger management, forgiveness, and other
forms of study that would help them learn to control emotional outbursts,
depression, or other issues.
Allow family visits in a more pleasant atmosphere.
Reform
the living Conditions
We must learn to treat them as human beings… not
forcing them to view themselves as living on the outskirts of society, but as a
part of society, even while incarcerated.
Living quarters should be comfortable and clean.
Reform the mind
Zig Zigglar once used the term stinkin thinkin…
get rid of it. So many people suffer from this, it is just amazing. And, once
in prison it often gets much worse.
Dr. Caroline Leaf a devout Christian phycologist
who specializes in the brain and mind, how they function explains how thought
actually are a physical thing, and just as the bible states we are what we
think….
Let’s couple these two things together… physical
and mental reformation is going to aid in the change of the emotional status
They must be given a chance to learn a skill.
Through testing and interviews we should determine
the best course of action so they will be happy in their work and become productive
members of society when released.
Commercial prisons must be either eliminated or
revamped.
For example, let’s say a major company builds a
prison, (according to the provisions stated above).
They will have a work force that they know will be
there.
They would have to pay the men the same as workers
on the outside, according to their skill level, and hours worked.
The pay would have money deducted to pay for any
fines, restitution to victims, and to the support of their families.
This would give them sense of pride, being able to
“pay their way” while possibly learning a new trade.
Reform the Spirit
There is only one way to reform the spirit
They must want this
They must learn scripture through proper teaching
They must learn how to apply it in practical terms
in their life
They must know how to defend their faith
logically, through Christian Apologetics
They must become a member of inside Christian
groups such as Genesis 1.
By Office on Drugs
and Crime… the United Nations
Central to the arguments to promote prison reforms is a human rights
argument – the premise on which many UN standards and norms have been
developed. However, this argument is often insufficient to encourage prison
reform programmes in countries with scarce human and financial resources. The detrimental
impact of imprisonment, not only on individuals but on families and
communities, and economic factors also need to be taken into account when
considering the need for prison reforms.
Human rights
considerations
A sentence of imprisonment constitutes only a deprivation of the basic
right to liberty. It does not entail the restriction of other human rights,
with the exception of those which are naturally restricted by the very fact of
being in prison. Prison reform is necessary to ensure that this principle is
respected, the human rights of prisoners protected and their prospects for
social reintegration increased, in compliance with relevant international
standards and norms.
Imprisonment and
poverty
Imprisonment disproportionately affects individuals and families living
in poverty. When an income generating member of the family is imprisoned the
rest of the family must adjust to this loss of income. The impact can be
especially severe in poor, developing countries where the state does not provide
financial assistance to the indigent and where it is not unusual for one
breadwinner to financially support an extended family network. Thus the family
experiences financial losses as a result of the imprisonment of one of its
members, exacerbated by the new expenses that must be met – such as the cost of
a lawyer, food for the imprisoned person, transport to prison for visits and so
on. When released, often with no prospects for employment, former prisoners are
generally subject to socio-economic exclusion and are thus vulnerable to an
endless cycle of poverty, marginalisation, criminality and imprisonment. Thus,
imprisonment contributes directly to the impoverishment of the prisoner, of his
family (with a significant cross-generational effect) and of society by
creating future victims and reducing future potential economic performance.
Public health
consequences of imprisonment
Prisons have very serious health implications. Prisoners are likely to
have existing health problems on entry to prison, as they are predominantly
from poorly educated and socio-economically deprived sectors of the general
population, with minimal access to adequate health services. Their health
conditions deteriorate in prisons which are overcrowded, where nutrition is
poor, sanitation inadequate and access to fresh air and exercise often
unavailable. Psychiatric disorders, HIV infection, tuberculosis, hepatitis B
and C, sexually transmitted diseases, skin diseases, malaria, malnutrition,
diarrhoea and injuries including self-mutilation are the main causes of
morbidity and mortality in prison. In countries with a high prevalence of TB in
the outside community, prevalence of TB can be up to 100 times higher inside
the prisons. In most countries HIV infection in prisons is significantly higher
than within the population outside prison, especially where drug addiction and
risk behaviours are prevalent. Prison staff are also vulnerable to most of the
diseases of which prisoners are at risk.
Prisons are not isolated from the society and prison health is public
health. The vast majority of people committed to prison eventually return to
the wider society. Thus, it is not in vain that prisons have been referred to
as reservoirs of disease in various contexts.
Detrimental social
impact
Imprisonment disrupts relationships and weakens social cohesion, since
the maintenance of such cohesion is based on long-term relationships. When a
member of a family is imprisoned, the disruption of the family structure
affects relationships between spouses, as well as between parents and children,
reshaping the family and community across generations. Mass imprisonment
produces a deep social transformation in families and communities.
The cost of
imprisonment
Taking into account the above considerations, it is essential to note
that, when considering the cost of imprisonment, account needs to be taken not
only of the actual funds spent on the upkeep of each prisoner, which is usually
significantly higher than what is spent on a person sentenced to non-custodial
sanctions, but also of the indirect costs, such as the social, economic and
healthcare related costs, which are difficult to measure, but which are immense
and long-term.
THE BENCHMARKS FOR
ACTION IN PRISON REFORM: THE UNITED NATIONS STANDARDS AND NORMS
Key among standards and norms that relate directly to prison reform are:
United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners
Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of
Detention and Imprisonment
Basic Principles for the Treatment of Prisoners
United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for Non-Custodial Measures (Tokyo Rules)
United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial
Measures for Women Offenders (Bangkok Rules)
Other UN instruments relevant to the prison system:
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment
or Punishment
Basic Principles for the Treatment of Prisoners
UN Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials
Basic Principles on the use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials
Safeguards guaranteeing protection of the rights of those facing the death
penalty
UN Recommendations on Life Imprisonment
Basic principles on the use of restorative justice programs in criminal matters
Kampala Declaration on Prison Conditions in Africa
Arusha Declaration on Good Prison Practice
For further info: see “Compendium of United Nations standards and norms in
crime prevention and criminal justice”
UNODC’S INTEGRATED
AND MULTI-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO PRISON REFORM STRATEGY
It is of utmost importance that prison reform is not regarded in
isolation from broader criminal justice reform. UNODC believes that effective
prison reform is dependent on the improvement and rationalisation of criminal
justice policies, including crime prevention and sentencing policies, and on
the care and treatment made available to vulnerable groups in the community.
Reform of the prison system should therefore always take into account the needs
relating to the reform of the criminal justice system as a whole and employ an
integrated, multi-disciplinary strategy to achieve sustainable impact. Thus,
reform initiatives will usually need to also encompass criminal justice
institutions other than the prison service, such as the judiciary prosecution
and police service, as relevant.
An integrated approach also takes account of areas that are typically not
regarded as part of the “criminal justice system”. These include, for
example, the development of substance dependence treatment programmes in the
community or psycho-social counselling programmes, to which certain offenders
may be diverted, rather than being imprisoned, thus ensuring that services in
prison are not overstretched, trying to meet the needs of a growing number of
prisoners with special needs.
The integrated strategy to prison reform can benefit immensely from the
establishment and development of collaboration and partnerships with other UN
agencies and other international and national organisations engaged in
complementary programmes.
THEMATIC AREAS OF
WORK IN THE FIELD OF PRISON REFORM AND ALTERNATIVES TO IMPRISONMENT
UNODC’s technical assistance in the area of prison reform covers the
following thematic areas:
pre-trial detention;
prison management;
alternative measures and sanctions;
social reintegration.
A cross-cutting theme relevant to all prison related interventions is
healthcare, including specifically the prevention, management and treatment of
HIV/AIDS and drug dependency. Read more….
Pre-trial detention
There are three main issues that need to be taken into consideration in
the context of pre-trial detention: firstly, pre-trial detention is overused in
most countries worldwide and in many developing countries the size of the
pre-trial prisoner population is larger than that of the convicted prisoner
population. This situation contradicts the provisions in international standards,
including ICCPR, that provide for the limited use of pre-trial detention, only
when certain conditions are present. Secondly, pre-trial detention is the
period most open to abuse in the criminal justice process. Recognizing the
particular vulnerability of pre-trial detainees, international human rights
instruments provide for a large number of very specific safeguards to ensure
that the rights of detainees are not abused, that they are not ill-treated and
their access to justice not hindered. Thirdly, although pre-trial detainees
should be presumed innocent until found guilty by a court of law, and treated
as such, conditions in pre-trial detention are often much worse than those of
prisons for convicted prisoners. In addition, the lack of resources for prisons
in many low-income countries means that people in detention do not have access
to legal advice and assistance, with the result being that they may overstay on
remand, and/or not receive a fair trial, further adding to the congestion of
prisons. Therefore, improving access to justice, supporting legal and paralegal
aid programmes, improving information management and cooperation between courts
and prisons, to speed up the processing of cases, as well as assisting with the
development of safeguards for pre-trial detainees, such as independent
monitoring and inspection mechanisms, comprise important elements of UNODC’s
work in the field of penal reform.
Prison Management
In order for a prison system to be managed in a fair and humane manner,
national legislation, policies and practices must be guided by the
international standards developed to protect the human rights of prisoners.
Prison authorities have a responsibility to ensure that the supervision and
treatment of prisoners is in line with the rule of law, with respect to
individuals’ human rights, and that the period of imprisonment is used to
prepare individuals for life outside prison following release. But often
national legislation and rules relating to the management of prisons are
outdated and in need of reform. In many countries the prison department is
under the authority of police or military institutions and managers and staff
have received no specific training regarding prison management. Staff morale is
usually low and effective leadership to drive prison reform is lacking.
Information collection and management systems are also very inadequate (or
non-existent) in many prison systems worldwide, hindering the development of
sound policies and strategies based on reliable, factual data. UNODC can
provide much assistance in reforming national legislation, developing training
programmes for prison managers to improve their leadership role and staff to
apply international standards and norms in their daily practice, and by
contributing to the institutional capacity building of prison administrations.
Alternative
Measures and Sanctions
Overcrowding is a key concern in almost all prison systems worldwide,
while punitive criminal policies, as well as a shortage of social protection
services in the community, continue to contribute to the rapid growth of the
prison population in many countries. As mentioned earlier, overcrowding is the
root cause of many human rights violations in prisons. Solutions to
overcrowding need to be explored and implemented in almost all countries in
which UNODC is operational.
While overcrowding can be temporarily decreased by building new prisons,
practice shows that trying to overcome the harmful effects of prison
overcrowding through the construction of new prisons does not provide a
sustainable solution. In addition, building new prisons and maintaining them is
expensive, putting pressure on valuable resources. Instead, numerous
international instruments recommend a rationalization in sentencing policy,
including the wider use of alternatives to prison, aiming to reduce the number
of people being isolated from society for long periods.
The use of non-custodial sanctions and measures also reflects a
fundamental change in the approach to crime, offenders and their place in society,
changing the focus of penitentiary measures from punishment and isolation, to
restorative justice and reintegration. When accompanied by adequate support for
offenders, it assists some of the most vulnerable members of society to lead a
life without having to relapse back into criminal behavior patterns. Thus, the
implementation of penal sanctions within the community, rather than through a
process of isolation from it, offers in the long term better protection for
society. Supporting the introduction and implementation of non-custodial
sanctions and measures is therefore a key element of UNODC’s work in the area
of prison reform.
Social
Reintegration
One of the principle objectives of the United Nations in the area of
prison reform is to contribute to the successful reintegration of prisoners
into society following their release. Social reintegration initiatives should
start as early as possible within the criminal justice process in order to have
maximum effect. This means that diversion from the criminal justice process
(especially of vulnerable groups) to appropriate treatment programmes,
non-custodial sanctions, instead of isolation from society and purposeful
activities and programmes in prisons, can all be considered as elements of a
comprehensive “social reintegration” policy. Interventions to support
former prisoners following release from prison, continuum of care in the
community for those in need, will all be more effective if the period in prison
is used to prepare a prisoner for re-entry to society. This policy requires
close coordination between criminal justice institutions and social protection
and health services in the community and probation services where they exist.
UNODC can offer key support and advice in this area, including supporting the
development of social reintegration programmes in prisons and in assisting with
the planning and implementation of continuum of care and support in the
community.
Healthcare
Equivalence of healthcare and the right to health is a principle that applies
to all prisoners, who are entitled to receive the same quality of medical care
that is available in the community. However, this right is rarely realised in
prisons, where usually healthcare services are extremely inadequate. Prison
health services are almost always severely under-funded and understaffed and
sometimes non-existent. Most of the time under the responsibility of the
authority in charge of the prisons administration, prison health services work
in complete isolation from national health authorities, including national HIV
and national TB programmes. Specific women’s health needs are rarely addressed.
The right to health includes not only the access to preventive, curative,
reproductive, palliative and supportive health care but also the access to the
underlying determinants of health, which include: safe drinking water and
adequate sanitation; safe food; adequate nutrition and housing; safe health and
dental services; healthy working and environmental conditions; health-related
education and information and gender equality.
Technical assistance provided by UNODC in this area is based on the
premise that penal reform and health in prisons are interrelated, and that an
integrated strategy needs to be adopted in addressing the enormous challenge of
HIV/AIDS and other transmissible diseases such as tuberculosis (TB) in prison
settings. Improved prison management and prison conditions are fundamental to
developing a sustainable health strategy in prisons. In addition, prison health
is an integral part of public health, and improving prison health is crucial
for the success of public health policies.
The world’s Most Humane Prison in the
World… A Good Example for America
I decided to not just comment on this, but to give you a link to the
original post.
We must change our thinking from punishment to true rehabilitation, and
true prison reform.
Inside Halden, the most humane prison in the world
Why Prison Reform Matters in America
By The Charles Kock Institute
https://charleskochinstitute.org/stories/why-prison-reform-matters-in-america/
American prisons house more than 1.5 million individuals, an increase of
more than 390 percent since 1978. This growth persisted even in the face of an
overarching decline in crime rates since the 1990s and the longest terms of
incarceration since we began to collect accurate data. Over 600,000 men and
women are released from federal and state prisons each year. Upon release,
these individuals will face many practical and social challenges to rejoining
their communities, with many of them facing barriers to opportunity due to a
lack of education and practical skills. A recent report shows that the current
strategies used by our justice system to achieve rehabilitation and increased
public safety have been ineffective, with more than 80 percent of those leaving
our state prisons being rearrested again in the future. Most Americans agree
with the conclusion that can be drawn from these statistics: Something must
change if we are to achieve an effective justice system that protects and
enhances public safety while respecting human dignity.
Prison reform is one remedy to the ineffectiveness of our justice system
that many states and the federal government have explored. Prison reform is
focused on ensuring public safety and restoration for those impacted by crime
through the creation of a constructive culture within our prison system. These
reforms seek to alter the circumstances of incarceration in ways that allow the
system to model and incentivize the attitudes, behaviors, and lifestyles
conducive to personal responsibility and self-control. Achieving these goals
through prison reform usually falls within two broad categories. First,
ensuring access to programs which help individuals gain knowledge, skills, job
training, and positive values during their period of incarceration. Second, by
revising correctional policies to ensure that minimal barriers exist to
maintaining positive community relationships during the period of
incarceration. By providing individuals with opportunities to gain productive
skills and equipping them to strengthen their positive relationships, we can
help them achieve their full potential and transform their lives upon returning
to our communities.
One of the arguments for prison reform has to do with reducing the number of
people who are rearrested. Upon leaving prison, those who have been
incarcerated face significant barriers to their success upon returning to our
communities. It is estimated that in addition to the societal stigma these
individuals face, there are more than 48,000 legal barriers that bar them from
securing employment, housing, occupational licenses, and many of the foundational
things needed to be a productive member of any community. Seventy-four percent
of men released from prison are still searching for employment eight months
after their release. These many barriers negatively impact public safety and
inhibit those with a criminal record from achieving their full potential.
Prison programming is an effective way to help provide a person who is
incarcerated with the crucial skills, education, and character development he
or she will need to be successful when leaving the walls of a prison. The types
of programming that can be provided to those in prison differ, but the most
popular types of programming include education and workforce development,
employment programs, life skills and family management classes, mental health
and substance abuse support, and various types of religious programming. One
way to facilitate these programs is by providing community organizations with
access to host such programs in the prison. Some examples of local non-profits
providing programming in state and federal prisons include The Last Mile, Miles
of Freedom, and Hudson Link.
Prison Reform Statistics Show Benefits of Prison Programming
Evidence-based prison programming has been shown to reduce recidivism, save
taxpayer expenditures, increase future employment for individuals who are
incarcerated, and decrease rule violations in prison facilities. Here are just
a few prison reform statistics showing positive results when prison facilities
provide programming or allow non-profit organizations to provide such
programming:
Mental health support in prison was found to reduce misconduct incidents by
22 percent.
Substance abuse treatment in one California prison resulted in a 48 percent
reduction in reincarceration.
One holistic faith-based program reduced future reincarceration by 40 percent
for those who graduate the program.
Educational and vocational classes have been studied extensively and found to
be some of the most effective programs in prison reform. Research shows that
these types of programs reduce recidivism by 13 percent, reduce incident
reports for prisoner misconduct by 4 percent, and increase post-release
employment by 13 percent. Every taxpayer dollar spent on educational and
vocational training programs for prisoners saves five dollars on law
enforcement and corrections expenditures in the future.
By implementing various types of prison programming that have been proven
effective, we can create a culture that helps to ensure those with a criminal
history are better equipped for productive, law-abiding futures. This will
ensure that those incarcerated can secure meaningful employment, acquire true
closure after punishment is fulfilled, and avoid criminal behavior in the
future. Through prison programming, we can ensure safer communities, increased
economic growth, and decrease the burden placed on taxpayers to support our
growing correctional system.
Individuals who are incarcerated have children, spouses, family, and friends
who desire to continue a relationship with them while they are in prison.
Incarceration makes it exceptionally difficult for individuals to maintain
healthy relationships with those who will be their support system when they
return home.
It is estimated that there are more than 2.7 million children who have
parents in state and federal prisons. Many of these parents were the sole
caretaker for these children before they were incarcerated.
The most recent data available reveals that visits from family and friends
are a rare occurrence while someone is in prison. Only 31 percent of those in
state prisons had received a visit from someone in the past month. The ability
for many to visit their loved ones is impacted by distance and a lack of
understanding around visitation policies. Data from the Bureau of Justice
Statistics shows that 63 percent of those in state prisons are located more
than 100 miles from their families. While all jurisdictions provide for prison
visitation, there are significant variations among the policies each
jurisdiction apply to this privilege.
This lack of connection with positive community relationships and strong
family connections is detrimental to our entire society. Prison visitation has
been found to reduce recidivism, decrease prison violence, and prevent the
intergenerational cycle of incarceration. Prison reform seeks to remedy this
problem by ensuring that the policies of our correctional system prioritize
maintaining positive relationships between those who are incarcerated and their
children, family, and friends. This can be accomplished by expanding visitation
rights within prison facilities or ensuring that distance from family and
friends is a component of every prison placement decision. By making these
simple policy changes, we can ensure that people in prison maintain strong
family ties and build community networks that they can call upon for support
upon leaving prison.
Though America’s correctional system has grown at an alarming rate, it has
reached a state of diminishing marginal returns when it comes to deterring
future crime and increasing public safety. Prison reform seeks to change the
status quo by providing individuals with a constructive and dignified
experience while they are incarcerated and providing access to tools to
transform their lives. By ensuring that individuals have the opportunity to use
their time incarcerated in a constructive manner and allowing them to maintain
positive relationships with their support network, we can increase the
likelihood they become productive members of their communities upon reentry.
Prison reform attempts to achieve these goals on the path to increase public
safety by expanding prison programming and ensuring adequate prison visitation
policies.