I received a copy of Senator Jim Webb’s bill to establish the National Criminal Justice Commission in last night’s mail. The Senate bill differed from what many prisoners were hoping to read. Prisoners had been hoping for prison reform legislation that would bring immediate relief. They wanted actions that would reinstate parole, offer more good [...]
The possibilities for prison reform legislation continue to improve. In the early morning, often writing two blog entries on prison experiences, I wrote letters to various senators who have expressed an interest in prison reform. Although I had not yet seen the Bill that Senator Webb submitted to Congress on prison reform, I knew that [...]
The efforts Senator Jim Webb has launched to begin prison reform legislation compels me to set a new goal. Although I have not yet received the articles describing exactly what is taking place in Washington, from what Carole told me, Senator Webb is convening a panel of experts to explore the most effective strategies to [...]
Today was a bonus day for me. I don’t get too many of these, and I really appreciate them when they come. Since Carole was scheduled to work on one Friday earlier this month, and since this month had only four weekends, we had sufficient visiting points available to visit on a Saturday. I woke [...]
During my visit today, my wife told me about the flood of news that describes efforts being made across our country to reform the prison and sentencing system. On 20 March, Kevin Johnson published an article in USA Today describing how money shortfalls were causing states from across the country to support new legislation designed to reduce [...]
Two staff members from Taft Prison Camp drove seven other prisoners and me to Bakersfield this morning. Ms. Mickelson, our staff sponsor, coordinated the field trip that would allow us to make three separate presentations to teenagers who were attending a community school for at-risk youth. This trip to Bakersfield was my fifth outing from [...]
I was pleased to have received an invitation to submit an article for American Corrections, the leading textbook for professors who teach courses in corrections. Professor George Cole, who has been a mentor and friend of mine for many years, was one of the original authors of this text. Since George is retiring, he is [...]
President Obama delivered his second prime time news conference this evening. He has been accessible to the media during his first 60 days in office, much more so than any other president. I value each opportunity to learn from his leadership. The purpose of his conference this evening was to advocate for the massive budget [...]
After a disappointingly unproductive weekend, I woke at 2:30 this morning rejuvenated. I read for a while, then began writing at 3:10. By 7:30 a.m. I had completed eight blog articles and sent them off with a letter to my wife. I felt good about writing more this morning than I had written over the [...]
We had a stormy, rainy day here in Taft. Throughout the course of a year, these kinds of days come infrequently. I would say we enjoy sunshine more than 300 days of each year. I did not mind having to run through heavy winds and rain, but with the aches in my left knee area [...]
