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 its costly prison population levels. On 25 March, Jennifer Steinhauer published an article in the New York Times that conveyed the same message.
Some analysts worry that these prison reforms could undermine public safety. When I read such reports, I feel outrage that I am so hindered from communicating with American taxpayers about what I’ve learned about our prison system over the past 22 years. From my perspective, smart prison reforms would enhance public safety by lowering recidivism rates. Across the board prison reforms that release tens of thousands of prisoners who have not worked to earn freedom, on the other hand, will lead to spikes in criminal activity and ruin the prospects for a sensible criminal justice system.
Yesterday, Carole said that she read about Senator Jim Webb’s proposed legislation to empanel a body of experts for the purpose of gathering data that would lead to prison and sentence reform. I would like very much to contribute to that panel and I will make efforts to reach out. The panel ought to consider the insider views of a man who has worked hard to reconcile with society over a sustained period of time. I know the reasons behind both negative and positive adjustment patterns in prison, and through my work, I hope to apprise lawmakers of prison reforms they can make that would increase the numbers of offenders who emerged as law-abiding citizens.
Carole and I discussed the likelihood of prison reform legislation over the next year that may advance my release date. By April of 2010, we expect to see new laws in place that will result in my return to society sooner than my current release date suggests. We both suspect that I could return to society before the end of 2010. That date suits us well, as it is more than two years ahead of schedule, and it provides Carole with time to move closer to the completion of her nursing degree. The higher professional credential will provide our family with greater financial stability, which we both consider an essential component to my transition to society after a quarter century in prison.
We’re both encouraged to read these reports about the call for prison reform. Whether it comes in time to help me, I’m glad to have so much of my sentence behind me, and to have the blessings that will assure my success with Carole upon release.
Before kissing my beautiful wife this morning, I ran five miles and wrote two blog articles. My string of 105 running days continues, and my accumulated mileage has increased to 931.
Friday, 27 March 2009
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