Perhaps it's simply an indication of our times. angry and divided times , yet I've noticed that critics frequently stop reading after just the headline or the initial few paragraphs before they send their feedback to me. nasty-gram . Therefore, for the sake of understanding what follows, I'll begin this potentially unpopular column with several disclaimers.
I am of the opinion that individuals who pose significant threats should remain incarcerated for life. However, I don’t view imprisonment as an easy ride. Despite there being some inmates in my state’s correctional facilities who might not deserve to be locked up, I strongly feel that most of these prisoners rightfully belong behind bars. In my perspective, those involved in criminal activities do not deserve leniency. victims of society .
I similarly wince at numerous California Democrats' reluctance to treat certain issues with due seriousness. public-safety concerns I believe that punishment—as well as rehabilitation—has a rightful place within our justice system. Additionally, I feel that safeguarding innocent individuals takes precedence over offering everyone another opportunity. The primary objective of judicial reforms ought to ensure punishments are proportional to the crimes committed rather than making it more difficult to imprison murderers. This belief led me to cast my vote in favor of such measures. Proposition 36 the crime prevention legislation that Californians approved in November.
However, unlike several of my conservatively inclined acquaintances, I find myself heartened instead of dismayed by the Newsom administration's $239 million initiative. plan To transform the well-known San Quentin State Prison in Marin County into a facility inspired by Scandinavian models of rehabilitation, featuring elements such as a farmer’s market, a podcast production studio, and a self-service grocery store,” according to the plan. San Francisco Chronicle. The podcast concept seems silly, but everything else is great.
The massive structure perched above San Francisco Bay in Marin County stands as the oldest prison in California, tracing back to the 1850s. It has already received a new designation known as the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center By the way, the state's prison authority is known as the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. However, the terms "corrections" and "rehabilitation" haven't shown much success here—or in any of our high-security state or federal prisons.
Prior to beginning your input, keep this in mind comment From California Correctional Peace Officers Association Vice President Steve "Bull" Durham following his tour of a Norwegian correctional facility with other union members: "The corrections officers in California feel exhausted as they serve as mere cogs in an ineffective system—ineffective for our community, for those behind bars, and even for guards seeking careers without health risks." The CCPOA does not consist of idealistic progressives living in la-la land.
Let’s begin by examining what this model includes. Rather than featuring cellblocks that look like settings from "The Green Mile," Prisons with a Scandinavian design resemble modest community colleges. They focus on equipping inmates with skills needed to reintegrate into society successfully, emphasizing their development as accountable individuals instead of enduring hardships such as gang involvement, violence, and mere survival under tough circumstances. In these facilities, the loss of liberty serves as the primary penalty, not cruel environments.
Assessing the success of these prison experiments is difficult due to their origins in Scandinavia. societies are much less violent compared to their American counterparts. These countries exhibit greater uniformity. Additionally, they boast significantly lower incarceration rates, with people in Finland, Norway, and Sweden generally demonstrating better behavior overall.
However, this approach has also been tested in the United States, notably at the rigorous maximum-security facility in Chester, Pennsylvania, located just below Philadelphia. Vital City reports "The incidence of significant, formally documented misconduct is notably lower within this unit when contrasted with other general population living areas at the same facility. Incidents of conflict and violence occur extremely infrequently as well." The recidivism rates seem to be declining.
New statistics indicate that California’s recidivism rates have decreased slightly to 42%, partly due to reduced prison overcrowding and increased emphasis from state authorities on rehabilitation initiatives. Studies demonstrate that inmates involved in re-entry programs exhibit a 13% lower likelihood of becoming repeat offenders compared to those who do not participate, according to information provided by the CDCR. reported by CalMatters. Take into account the San Quentin proposal as a facility-wide plan re-entry program .
The state allocates considerably fewer funds for housing inmates in rehabilitation-focused facilities compared to conventional, highly secured ones. Therefore, even though the expense associated with converting San Quentin might seem strikingly high, it likely proves economically sensible. I am well aware. Frequently, fresh governmental initiatives pledge numerous benefits. cost savings that never materialize.
It's crucial that the state carefully considers the expenses versus the advantages, yet possible savings appear genuine, considering the potential for a more relaxed prison environment. toured Traditional prisons versus those operating under the new model. The latter experience a lower number of violent incidents, face less litigation, and provide a safer and more humane environment for both inmates and personnel.
Consider now this statistic from the U.S. Department of Justice: reports That roughly 95% of all inmates will eventually return to society. Suppose an individual from San Quentin were to relocate to your community; would you prefer this person to have dedicated their last decade to survival within a skinhead group, or instead focused on taking courses, tending gardens, and engaging in table tennis activities during their incarceration?
This column was first published In The Orange County Register.
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