Reworking Prisons from the Inside Out

Reworking Prisoners from the Inside Out

For countless years the government has struggled to reintroduce prisoners into society. These men and women, who once committed crimes, serve their sentence and meet the requirements set by the state for reentry into our society. But more often than not, the prisoners, once sent back into their communities, recommit crimes, delivering them back into incarceration. The question then becomes how to prevent this perpetual cycle from happening. Some facilities across the country have begun to introduce programs designed to help prisoners gain educational and career oriented skills that would allow them to reenter society as productive members. Therefore, it becomes necessary for prison administrators to be informed about the benefits of career programs for inmates in order to avoid recidivism.

Basic Phases for Prison Programs

The benefits for inmates are not something that comes immediately on release or even at the end of their sentence. It is something that must be introduced throughout their incarceration and even continued into release. Most prison facilities follow a three-step plan customized for each incoming inmate. The plan initiates at the intake of the prisoner. Here, evaluations are done on each inmate and a plan is formed. According to the State of Michigan's Transition Accountability Plan (TAP), prisoner programming and services are "developed for each prisoner (on) an individualized case plan, approved by the Parole Board, which is based on information obtained from assessments..." ("The Prisoner Reentry Model", 2012, p.2 ).The plan continues to explain how these assessments allow program leaders to create and implement programs to teach prisoners fundamental competencies that will allow them to flourish in society.

Phase One

During the initial phase the focus is primarily on changing the culture of the individual. The goal is to help the prisoner process their internal problems and focus on bettering themselves so they can begin to change and work toward being well-rounded individuals. Program leaders look at the assessments of inmates to determine if prisoners need to focus on education and completion of high school or if vocational training is necessary to improve employment opportunities. Officials also look to see if inmates need substance abuse programs or if psychological treatment is required. These treatment plans for inmates are specifically designed for the successful reentry of those individuals. The plan is developed and executed with the intent that the prisoner will not return to incarceration. The Florida Department of Corrections reported that they found "Inmates who earn a GED are 8.7% less likely to recidivate than those who do not complete a program" (Moore, M., 2001, para 5). Florida also reported that 100 inmates not returning to incarceration for one year, due to prisoner programs, equates to a savings of nearly $1.9 million (Moore, M., 2001, para 8 ). For the program workers the goal is ultimately to develop communication skills as well as increase the rational thinking of inmates. Throughout the inmates' incarceration the process is reevaluated to ensure that new skills are beginning developed and the inmate continues to grow. If needed, the plan is revised and new pathways are created. As inmates succeed or fail certain programs or rehabilitation steps may be added for the benefit of the prisoner.

Phase Two

Once the inmate has completed the first phase of the program and meets the minimum requirements by the state, he or she is eligible for parole. The parole board reviews the inmate's crime, along with any programs that the prisoner may have completed while in the facilities, and makes a judgment on release. If released, the prisoner must now follow phase 2 of the reentry program as a condition of parole. This phase is focused on reintroducing the prisoner into the community. He/she must follow an extremely strict and regimented program designed by the state and implemented by a parole officer. The program will continue to follow state guidelines but will also incorporate the fundamentals the inmate learned while incarcerated. As with the first phase of reentry programs, this phase is focused on the prisoner becoming productive and self-sufficient. Together the Parole officer and the parolee will work toward gaining employment and housing for the parolee. Here again, the education and career training the inmate received while incarcerated comes into play. The inmate's vocational training allows them to source for employment, while the emotional/ mental health plan allows prisoners to deal with any conflict that may arise in a reasonable manner. The prisoner is granted access to necessary medication for an additional 30 days after parole in order to stabilize in the community.

This phase is designed to establish routine and ground work for the eventual release from supervision. Chief Justice William Ray Price Jr. of the Missouri Supreme Court emphasized "that it takes more than prison; it takes more than slap-on-the-wrist- probation, Drug and Alcohol addiction must be broken; discipline and job skills must be learned" (Pew, 2011, p.22 ). The State of Michigan reports that the incarceration percentage declined by 32% among those inmates who received services and program plans while serving their sentence (LFC Results First, 2013, p. 6).

Phase Three

During the final phase of the program the ex-convict is working on their own to continue their progress. It is the hope of the state that parolees are now able to effectively work through problems without the use of drugs or alcohol. Officials also hope parolees have gained the necessary skills to obtain employment.

Opposition

Many object to these programs for inmates citing that they are expensive, and that as prisoners, they have lost the opportunity for advancement. Senator Mark Grisanti was quoted as saying, "I believe that we should put the needs of hardworking, law-abiding citizens who are positively contributing to society first, and I will continue