Prison Journal: Day 8,152
December 4, 2009
Prison Journal: Day 8,152
Yesterday I heard a news report on NPR and CNN announcing that the Deputy Attorney General had resigned. He said that goals had been achieved, but the reporters insinuated that the Deputy Attorney General—who is like the Chief Operating Officer of the Department of Justice—did not have the requisite expertise to oversee the criminal justice system. I hope that when Attorney General Eric Holder appoints a new Deputy to oversee the Department of Justice, reforms will come to make the prison system more conducive to preparing offenders for the challenges that await release.
The prison system is exceptionally effective at warehousing human beings, isolating them from society, and perpetuating a cycle of failure. An appointment of a new Director of the Bureau of Prisons may bring reforms that allow more people in prison to work toward earning freedom. People respond better to the promise of incentives than they do to the threat of further punishments, and I’m hoping that Mr. Holder will appoint a Deputy Attorney General who orders the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to rely upon research in bringing about a smarter criminal justice system.
A smarter criminal justice system would protect society and save taxpayers billions of dollars by reducing recidivism. The method to achieve such goals, I think, is to recognize that although violent and recalcitrant offenders require prolonged imprisonment, separating non-violent and non-threatening prisoners from society for too long eradicates hope, lessening the chances for those inside prison to reform or prepare for law abiding lives upon release.
Instead of eradicating hope, incentives would encourage those in prison to commit toward gradual, measurable change. They could work toward more educational or vocational opportunities, more telephone or visiting privileges, improved access to community. These reforms could begin with a Deputy Attorney General’s appointment of a new BOP Director, and I’m looking forward to one who embraces President Obama’s vision for hope and one who believes in an individual’s capacity to reform.
This morning I ran only three miles because I was expecting Carole to visit me.
[consecutive running log: 3,176 miles over 356 days]
Related posts:
- Prison Journal: Day 7,905
- Prison Journal: Day 8,031
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- Prison Journal: Day 8,046
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