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Program studies why prisoners repeat the past
By Edith Brady-Lunny
eblunny@pantagraph.com
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BLOOMINGTON -- About half of Illinois’ prison inmates will be back behind bars within a few years of their release, ruining lives and costing taxpayers millions of dollars.

People at all levels of the criminal justice system have been struggling for years to stop that revolving door by trying new approaches to sentencing, treatment and incarceration conditions.

One criminal justice professor suggests a new idea: Don’t experiment; look at the research to see what already works. Too much time is spent on brainstorming and experimenting without relying on what experience and research shows, said Edward Latessa, professor of criminal justice at the University of Cincinnati.

“It’s a myth that we don’t know anything about corrections,” he said.

Effective programs recognize major factors in a defendant’s life such as substance abuse, a poor choice of acquaintances and an inability to solve problems, said Latessa. A stronger emphasis on treating the symptoms behind criminal behavior could reduce the number of people who find themselves in court.

Less successful programs focus on self-esteem and cultural issues or promote physical conditioning for offenders, he said. For example, sending inmates to boot camp facilities just makes them bigger, stronger felons, he said.

The county’s recidivism rate mirrors state Department of Corrections data that say 51.8 percent of inmates released from state prison in 2003 were convicted and returned to prison on another offense within three years.

The state’s prison population is hovering around 45,000 adult inmates, and it costs Illinois taxpayers an estimated $21,600 a year to house each state prison inmate.

The “What Works” movement

With the goal of reducing those statistics, Latessa talked to a large audience of 11th Judicial Circuit judges, attorneys, probation officers and social workers earlier this month about evidence-based sentencing practices, which Latessa referred to as the “What Works” movement.

Latessa calls on the criminal justice system to use what he called “evidence-based practices,” which rely on extensive research to determine what programs are most effective for lowering recidivism rates.

“This is a change of mindset for a lot of people who come in contact with offenders,” said Chief Judge Elizabeth Robb of the McLean County-based circuit. “It’s really changing your intuitive thinking on what you’ve been taught.”

Researchers have found, for example, that placing low-risk offenders in a highly structured program with high-risk people increases the likelihood that the low-risk person will not benefit from the program, Latessa told the group.

Addressing problem behavior

A new cognitive behavioral group formed by McLean County Court Services addresses another point Latessa raised: Offenders should be taught how to replace negative behavior such as lying and cheating with new skills that will improve their chances to avoid criminal behavior.

“We have to work on offenders’ thought processes. We hear them saying, ‘I just wasn’t thinking.’ Each week we work on a different skill so that when they leave the group, they will have the skills to be successful in areas like family and employment,” said Roxanne Castleman, court services director.

Medium-risk offenders whose convictions did not involve violent or sexual offenses are eligible for the McLean County program.

Court services staff have received training in evidence-based practice, and judges are beginning to learn more about it. Robb said the next step is for court officials to consult with local social service providers about the assistance they can provide to defendants in community-based programs.

County’s drug court

The county has initiated other programs to try to slow the tide of recidivism.

For example, a drug court gives defendants a chance to receive treatment and work on the issues that contributed to criminal behavior.

Strict reporting and drug screening rules must be followed by those sentenced to the drug court program.

A team that includes prosecutors, defense attorneys, mental health workers and probation staff meet weekly to review the status of drug court participants.

That team meets in a courtroom once a week with participants. Judge Scott Drazewski, who oversees the drug court, rewards successes and issues sanctions when defendants fail.

The first graduates may complete the drug court program early next year.

McLean County Public Defender Amy Davis would like the county to consider a mental health court to handle offenders with a history of mental illness. Robb said she is just beginning to evaluate the idea.

Court and criminal justice officials across the country are concerned that jails in major cities, including Chicago’s Cook County Jail, are among the largest providers of mental health services in some states. As states close mental health facilities, the mentally disabled population is shifting to the streets and, in many cases, county jails.

The concept of mental health courts follows the drug court model that incorporates treatment into a sentence for nonviolent offenders. In the specialized court, mentally ill people can be diverted from incarceration that does not allow for appropriate therapy and medication management, two crucial elements in the treatment of those with mental illness.



Sentencing guidelines

Judges must follow

state guidelines when sentencing defendants. Following are sentence ranges mandated for selected felonies:

Burglary: two to five years

Theft over $300: two to five years

Bribery: three to seven years

Aggravated criminal sexual assault: six to 30 years

Armed robbery: six to 30 years

First-degree murder: 20 to 60 years, life in prison or death under certain conditions

NOTE: Additional sentencing elements, including fines, may be imposed. Inmates also typically earn day-for-day credit for good behavior to reduce the time they actually spend behind bars.

SOURCE: Illinois Code of Corrections

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An unidentified death row inmate watches television in his cell in the North Condemned Unit at Pontiac Correctional Institution Jan. 21, 2003, in Pontiac, Ill. (AP file Photo/Seth Perlman)
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Reader comments on this story - 56 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Dear: "FAMILY" wrote on Aug 27, 2007 9:54 AM:

" I am the one who wrote two pieces here earlier about having a brother who's been in a penitentiary twice and may be paroled soon. I can completely identify with what you offer. You know, my brother is a troubled soul. He suffers form behavioral issues and likely all sorts of others things to. The reality is, I have tried so many things as his brother- as I feel I should. But I have not reached him. He's now near 40 and I feel his chances of recovering and making real change are slim to none. The patterns he's learned and developed over the decades are now HABIT. They are who he is. As I mentioned before- it seems we family members want a better life for him than he seems to want for himself... and while we continue to try and try, his circumstances not only work on us all mentally and spiritually- but when he is out and free- and during those rare times when he's near us, we also risk a certain amount of our safety because he is prone to anger and violence. The whole situation with him is disruptive and can seem hopeless. Ugh... "

FAMILY wrote on Aug 27, 2007 12:20 AM:

" From a family of a 5 term prisoner. They have made bad choices, and sooner or later, it all catches up with them. They have no family, friends. Can't be trusted, helped, re-conditioned unless " THEY WANT TO " That does not happen, very low % rate for change. They don't want to change, it seems to difficult to live in a normal environment as we know it. A home, family, children, job, are all violated, neglected. They have no use for any of these things. This is what I have learned. It really hurts for a long while, then one day it leaves your body empty, no hope, no dreams, no better life for that person. "

Imperfect Society wrote on Aug 26, 2007 10:09 PM:

" Why are we a country with possibly the highest crime rate? Hmmmm - materialistically set standards have anything to do with it? I can't really blame it on any particular system or person....the individual responsible for the crime should be held responsible and be given consequences. But I do believe our society and it's values/beliefs have alot to do with it....but we live in a world full of imperfect people and imperfect systems. I can't wait to get to Heaven! "

972 million wrote on Aug 26, 2007 10:04 PM:

" $972 million in Illinois alone. Wow!!!! And this is not even a dent in the economic impact these prisoners have on local police forces, judges and communities where prisons are located!!!! Let's keep them locked up Johnny!!!! We can't afford to let them go!!!! "

to all continued: wrote on Aug 26, 2007 9:57 PM:

" I challenge all of you. Educate yourselves. Quit shouting out from emotions when you do not know what is going on. There are some serious issues that need to be addressed in our nation and nothing is being done about it because the many bow down to the few. It is time for a change. Something needs to be done to correctly resolve crime in this nation. "

to all continued: wrote on Aug 26, 2007 9:56 PM:

" Let's find out what the true underlying cause of crime is and address it. Why not be proactive? Why approach crime as a problem after it has been committed when it is possible to be prevented? You can argue over and over until you are blue in the face about increasing the police force or creating a drug program or implementing this policy or that policy. However, it is all smoke and mirrors. There is one fact that can't be disputed and that is current policy is not working because we continue to have a crime problem. Additionally, our govt complains about China's human rights abuse, yet we put more people in prison than China and their population is 4 times the size of ours. What about the racial disparity in sentencing guidelines. For instance, crack vs cocaine? Who primarily uses cocaine? Crack? Does anyone know the sentencing disparity between the two? Wake up people!!! Does anyone know how many people are murdered in this country every year? Has anyone completed an emperical research study to determine why the crimes were committed? Come on people!!! "

to all wrote on Aug 26, 2007 9:55 PM:

" punishment is intended to do 3 key things, according to the judicial system: 1. act as a deterrent 2. retribution 3. rehabilitation Obviously, current punishment and sentencing guidlines are not working. Why? because crime continues to be a major problem. Why not try some sort of different approach? Because there is too much money involved. Please read Mark Fleisher's book "warehousing of prisoners" and you all will have a better understanding of what is going on in our judicial system and department of corrections. Are we truly a just society? Do we care about society as a whole? DO WE TRULY CARE ABOUT VICTIMS RIGHTS AND ABOUT THE PAIN AND SUFFERING THE NEXT VICTIM WILL GO THROUGH???? If so, than why not focus on crime prevention instead of doing the same thing over and over? "

My name is Marcel wrote on Aug 26, 2007 8:44 PM:

" To:Pontiac Guard What you talking about willies? I just made some more babies to vote for future dumbocrates! "

Chuckster wrote on Aug 26, 2007 8:39 PM:

" to anyone who doesn't think the Dept of Corrections is worth its budget, I propose an experiment. How about we let all the inmates out. Just set them free. Whatever happens, happens. Turn them loose. Suddenly, I bet people would start to think that the DOC was the greatest thing since sliced bread. "

to Self perpetuating system wrote on Aug 26, 2007 8:35 PM:

" Excellent comment. "

Ponderous Thought wrote on Aug 26, 2007 8:09 PM:

" In response to the question of why send them elsewhere, what are they good for? Here is the answer...at least we would not have to continue to pay out of our hard earned dollars ($21k per year on average) and if they were elsewhere, they would have to deal with that country's punishment (which we all know is more severe than ours) or the military's (which again, is more severe than a normal US citizen). "

On a personal level, I am wrote on Aug 26, 2007 7:29 PM:

" anti-drug. HOWEVER, I side with those who believe most drug activity should be legalized. Drugs are never part of my life at all until I dial 911 to report a need for a police officer and what should be a ten-minute wait turns into a 90-minute wait because every copper in town is down on the corner making a drug bust. Making drugs legal elminates the organized-crime connection and creates much-needed space in our severely over-populated prisons. I'm a Libertarian- I'm persoannly pretty conservative, but I believe if folks wanna screw-up their minds, bodies and own lives with drugs the law ought not stand in their way- especially when the enforcement begins to effect and impair the general population so. I'm sick of drugs being MY problem! Legalize them and make them the problem of the addict, alone- keep ME out of it! "

TO: "to wife of a former prisoner" wrote on Aug 26, 2007 7:23 PM:

" Pardon me friend- but as an outsider who read your note- you know... you simply can't judge peoples' love-choices. In fact most believe love isn't a choice at all. Are YOU the perfect mate to your own perfect mate-choice? Is everything you do, everyone you choose to know and love perfect? Does your mate have friends or family who do, or ever did think you were the wrong one for any number of reasons? If not- then you're far different from most of us. It doesn't help at all, nor is it ever part of the answer to judge one's choices. That's a short-cut/quasi-remedy that folks resort to who really have no ability or interest in seeking deeper, truer answers. But, if you continue to feel your question was founded and is the best approach- then by all means- proceed. I for one would like to see you offer something better-grounded with improved method and motive. "

JD to: To J D wrote on Aug 26, 2007 7:22 PM:

" Actually, I left the IDOC because of physical injury received on the job which not only affected me physically but mentally. In all my time there though, I never saw 1 inmate go to bed hungry. I did see them watching the ball game on their color TVs while eating chip and drinking soda they got from the store. Those with extra money were eating fresh cooked pizza from the Jaycee shack. You people who think the inmate have it so badly need to quit believing everything you are told by inmates. After all, if they were model citizens they would not be incarcerated. "

56 1/2 wrote on Aug 26, 2007 7:04 PM:

" Quit throwing harmless pot smokers and small time pot dealers in prison and the prison population would be cut in half you morons! There are other options for these non violent offenders besides prison time. "

To Ponderous Though wrote on Aug 26, 2007 6:51 PM:

" Why would we want criminals in our military?Why so they can rape and kill while they are there?Why would we want those kinds of people representing our country?Yeah,it's a shame we send wonderful people over to Iraq to get killed for serving our country,so I think they should send the criminals,but what are they good for?They will think of it as a "Get out of jail free pass"to flee as soon as they get there. "

Self-perpetuating system wrote on Aug 26, 2007 5:59 PM:

" This country is based upon capitalism, so you need to work and earn money to simply exist. Upon release, ex-cons cannot get any type of work that would push them in directions of success or improvement. They are belittled, messed with, and generally treated like scum. The problem is that the ex-con is still a human being and when it's too much to take any more, their former ways will prevail. When you've got nothing, you've got nothing to lose. "

woodford Pundit wrote on Aug 26, 2007 5:40 PM:

" My math may be in error, but if we 'ballpark' these numbers on a national basis, I figure the annual cost of imprisonment for all those incarcerated is AT LEAST 44 $BILLION. In terms of present day dollars the Apollo moon program in totality cost sum $22 Billion. Let's start a penal colony on Mars. I'm dead serious. In a couple of years the whole program would pay for itself, give a "second chance" to lifers, and sow seeds for humanity's propogation. Look at Australia. Get the idea? "

Pontiac Guard wrote on Aug 26, 2007 5:12 PM:

" If changes are going to be made, the first thing the state needs to do is, GET RID OF PONTIAC!!!!!!! I'm not saying close the prison, I am saying make these guys work. When they refuse to work, force them to work. Every one of us has to work for our food, shelter, medical care, etc... As such, these inmates should be working for their food, shelter, medical care, etc... I understand that this would not be a "one size fits all" solution. However, the ones who can work far out weigh the ones who can't. It's very simple, you don't work, you don't eat. Bring back the old days of the prisoners raising their own cattle, planting their own gardens, raising their own chickens. Doing this will teach them what it means to work for a living. Stop giving them privileges they didn't earn. Being a good prisoner shouldn't be enough to earn the privilege of buying a t.v. set. "

To: To:LB wrote on Aug 26, 2007 5:07 PM:

" Why are you continually asking rude, ignorant questions? "

to wife of a former prisoner wrote on Aug 26, 2007 4:58 PM:

" Why in the world would you marry a drug addicted felon and then go on to have two babies with him!! Was this a good decision for yourself or, more importantly, for your children? "

To: To LB wrote on Aug 26, 2007 4:12 PM:

" I didn't find this out until later in the "frienships" .They like to prey upon people and women especially. There again , no respect for others or their rights. Please read 'I know a young man'. That was the case with the last one. He lied to everybody and concealed his alcohol and drug habits. If you have no experience with this kind of thing then who are you to judge me or make a post at all on this issue. "

I know a young man~~ wrote on Aug 26, 2007 3:06 PM:

" that is so polite and pleasant but if you turned your back he would take the wallet out of your back pocket. He has a beautiful daughter and has spent almost his entire life behind bars. Reason, his mom and dad think he does no wrong. They have babied and cajoled him his entire life. He does not know what the word NO means. He was the first born and he was momma's precious little one. He snaps his fingers and they are there to his command. He doesn't have to stand on his own and he is 35 years old. He has robbed, done drugs, you name it and he has done it. It's sad because he does have a pleasant personality and easy to get along with, except for this bad habit of drugs and theft, forgery. Every time he gets out he heads straight for mommy, she take care of him. He works in a family business or he wouldn't have a job at all. He told me how hard it is not to get into trouble. He has that urge everyday and he has to fight it. Continue: "

To: LB wrote on Aug 26, 2007 2:52 PM:

" Why are you continually attracted to these losers? "

LB wrote on Aug 26, 2007 1:08 PM:

" Hi. I have had a couple boyfriends who were in DOC and they have been in trouble with the law most of their adult lives. You can spend all the time, money, research and rhetoric you want on programs but the bottom line with this is that they don't want to confront their crimes, they think the law is a joke and refuse to change their ways or take responsibility for themselves when they are released. They blame society for convicting them and putting a lifetime "X" on their backs but the fact is that society was the victim of their actions . I think that once a person goes bad they will stay that way until they are sick of it , "bottom out" as they say and everybody has turned their backs on them . People like these don't change until they either have to or their values take a 180. This has been my experience with these people.. "

wife of former prisioner wrote on Aug 26, 2007 12:15 PM:

" My husband has been in prison 2 times. when he got out the first time he really didn't care what happened, he was into drugs and that was all that mattered. During this time we got married and had 2 children. he got caught making drugs and went back for a year on a 3 year sentence. he missed the first year of our daughters life. Now he is trying to work a real job he isn't doing any drugs his problem now is no one wants to give him a chance, the only job he can get is seasonal then we are hurting for money the rest of the year. Fast food places won't even hire him because he has a felony. I know that not everyone wants to change when they get released but if people would give chances to someone who has changed maybe not so many people would go back in. "

Mother of a Former Prisoner wrote on Aug 26, 2007 12:04 PM:

" When my son was released from Taylorville CC he was given $10 and a white shirt. Fortunately he had his family to pick him up and his own business to return to. How far can a former prisoner go on $10 if he is on his own with no friends or family? A bus ticket to where? And of what use is the white shirt? "

TO J D wrote on Aug 26, 2007 10:59 AM:

" You should tell the people that the reason you left the IDOC job. Is if youdon´t you would most likly get hurt real bad. Also if the prison gards eat the food it is because it may be etable and they can eat all they want: AND THEY DON¨T GO TO BED HUNGRY! AND YOU ARE THE ONE THAT SOULD BE IN JAIL! "

Ponderous thought... wrote on Aug 26, 2007 10:50 AM:

" If we are seeing such a high rate of recidivism and over crowding in the prison systems, why not enroll these individuals in a very highly structured program? It's called the military. During a time when soldiers tours of duty are being extended and our congress not agreeing on whether or not to withdrawl them, why not utilize prisoners as a means of transition. This could be done on a volunteer basis; if they volunteer and conduct themselves to the standards of our Armed Forces rules and regulations, upon their fulfilling their contractual obligation, they could have their sentence reduced and at the same time decide if they want to remain within the ranks of the military. Again, this is if they can conduct themselves in a manner that proves they want to change their life. Let them earn their freedom for the crimes they committed. Before I have those that read this and say.."what a quack", there would have to be specialized/isolated training for these individuals, definately not introduced into the mainstream of the military. "

jm wrote on Aug 26, 2007 9:48 AM:

" one more thing, I am not an advocate of drugs or drug use, however, if the prisons are overcrowded and rod needs another raise, build more "drug prisons" Sheridan Correctional Facility is now a "drug prison". there the inmates are mandated to go thru a "gateway" program and must graduate from it before they are allowed any visits from anyone. then they continue to work on their addiction and the real reasons behind drug use/abuse. that is a great idea. IDOC webpage is where my info came from. there are no stats on those who have left Sheridan. and none may have left yet it was just re-opened in 2004. if 80 % of crimes are drug related, stop the drugs use/abuse and you stop the crime. "

jm wrote on Aug 26, 2007 9:38 AM:

" if you want to help the inamtes not return to their previous lives, work them everdyay, make it manditory to take high school, college classes, life skills courses and vocational type classes, give them the tools they need to go back into society. and do not release them all at once, upon release from prison, make them go to the county or a halfway house with a curfew where they are given the opportunity to secure a job, bank account etc. if they do not follow the rules put them back into prison for the remainder of their parole. once you open the door to a caged animal, they go nuts, same applies to a human. sad but true. "

Letting wrote on Aug 26, 2007 9:23 AM:

" The non-violent offender (pot smoker, petty check bouncer, etc) out would be a great start! Force the inmates to save 1/2 of the $ they make so they have something to live on for a while. Last, we need to provide support...I wish Rod knew how to read/listen. "

windycity2 wrote on Aug 26, 2007 9:16 AM:

" I too served time in the Illinois Department of Corrections and I was released in 2005 after servivg 18 months for an aggravated battery that I did not committ. True, the prison systen is nothing more than a business now. There is basically no healthcare and what there is consists of giiving an inmate tylenol. I have always worked, but now cannot even get a job at Mcdonalds. For those of us that are trying to raise a family and do right we find it really difficult to fit back into society. No wonder why so many people go back to a lofe of crime, people do have to eat and have a place to live. Without those opprotunities, many inmates will return to prison for some reason or another. Thank your government for cutting all of the programs that would have otherwise helped these inmates in their transition back into society and becomming productive citizens. "

Max wrote on Aug 26, 2007 9:05 AM:

" I never said it was fun. I said an eye for an eye punishment. I bet they would think twice about committing a crime if the punishment DID actually fit the crime. Talk to me after someone breaks into your home, beats and rapes your wife. Then we will see if you think the same. "

The worlds smallest violin wrote on Aug 26, 2007 8:39 AM:

" "Oh BOO HOO My poor wittle misunderstood dumpling can't readjust to life on the outside,it's all societies fault, OH BOO HOO" I got news for you all,the little deviant wasn't well adjusted before he/she entered the system I'm sick and tired of being told we have to study this and have to study that in order to find out what makes these predators on society tic. The simple fact is that a percentage of the population are lemons.Defective from day one and will never be a productive member of society. They are drain on resources,their victims will live with the scares these wastes inflicted for life There are a few exceptions who are able to get their lives turned around but very few "

Old School Sheriff wrote on Aug 26, 2007 8:22 AM:

" Hard , Long sentences work. Bad , uncomfortable facilities inside prisons work. chain gangs work. gotta get MEAN. it works. Convicts are gabby, and word gets around when a locality is TOUGH on crime and worse on cons. "

Wow Marcel, wrote on Aug 26, 2007 8:22 AM:

" You're COOL. After so much time in the hooskow it's a wonder YOU'RE not pregnant! Say "hi!" to Bubba for me on your next trip in... And remember- don't resist- it just make'em like it all the more! "

to Marcel wrote on Aug 26, 2007 6:42 AM:

" You are the IGNORANT type that ruin it for ALL people that have any hope for a future. "

NO Future wrote on Aug 26, 2007 6:40 AM:

" 1. Most inmates have less than an 8th grade education. *classes are offered in the prisons...prisoners spend their time in the class but they are not learning...and those that really want to learn are put down by the other inmates that think it is a joke. 2. Ex-cons cannot find work. *no one will hire them. lack of education, past history, yes there is funding from the state to employers as a tax relief to put them in the work force. I know for a fact it is hard to get that incentive paper work. 3. No housing. Landlords will not rent to ex-cons. Missions and homeless shelters are full. 4. What does this leave..Uneducated, streetwise, homeless, no support from probation only rules to follow. This is not probations fault as they are way over loaded with cases. I am not defending but rather explaining what I see in this state as a terrible mess. Starting right from age of 10 or 12 for most of these people. "

Pontiac Guard wrote on Aug 26, 2007 5:44 AM:

" I love the way "mother of a former prisoner" tries to put the blame, of her sons unhappiness behind bars on the guards. Prison isn't supposed to be a good time. Your son wasn't supposed to be having fun in there. As far as your claims of "starvation diets, Maggots in the food, and rotten fruit" are concerned, did you see any of this or are you just going by what your son says? Becaus after all he can be trusted to tell the truth right? Do you have any idea how many inmates write home to mommy, and tell them absolute bull spit about what is happening inside the prison. It sounds to me like you are one of those mothers who, doesn't believe your baby should have been in prison, and you are going to blame anyone you can for his incarceration. Well, 2 can play that game. If you care about your son so much, where were you when he was committing his crimes? Maybe if you had raised him properly, he would not have become a criminal. See how blaming others makes no sense? "

Pontiac Guard wrote on Aug 26, 2007 5:27 AM:

" To: "TO JD", actually it's more like 1 guard watching 100 or more inmates. Right now Pontiac isn't running the "road crew" because, we don't have the staff. "

maybe wrote on Aug 26, 2007 3:13 AM:

" the should make the sentences to be served in the armed forces in Iraq. Most these guys think they are soooo bad. And if they do not do it right they can just stay over there til they do. "

lobbyist wrote on Aug 26, 2007 1:08 AM:

" lock them up and threw away the keys no-one care about these loser "

To Mother of a former wrote on Aug 26, 2007 12:39 AM:

" prisoner - I'll bet your son does NOT want to go back, does he? That's the point - make it HARD for them so they DON'T WANT TO GO BACK!! I had a cousin who spent a lot of years in the pen (in the 'old' days) and believe me, he was lucky to get maggots to eat. He was in Chester, Joliet and Marion. None of it was a piece of cake, but after a stint in each stinking, rotten, cold hell hole, he didn't want to go back and he didn't go back. Back to the 'old time way'!!!! "

My name is Marcel wrote on Aug 26, 2007 12:08 AM:

" I is 38 years old. I am presently on work release from IDOC in Peoria. I just impregnated a seventeen year old from Goodfield ,Il wit my one hour conjugal visit. Guess what fool its legal. "

JD wrote on Aug 25, 2007 11:54 PM:

" I love hearing how badly inmates are supposedly treated. I worked at a IDOC max prison for 6 years, and can tell you that they have it MUCH better than the life of the daily soldier in the US military. People talk about how bad the inmate food is, but I can tell you that many officers also have eaten that same food from the same place. Trust me, the recidivism is due to it being much easier to go to prison and get taken care of, than it is to have to actually work for all the freebies the state is willing to give you in prison. "

My brother was released from prison wrote on Aug 25, 2007 11:18 PM:

" a few years ago and for months I pined about the dilemmas he faced by "gaining" freedom. I couldn't imagine how it would feel to suddenly be turned loose with only the clothes on his back, possibly 50 bucks in his pocket, if that- and the number of a nearby homeless shelter. Unable to really do much for him from the practical hands-on sense, I started a savings account for him. Upon his release I was able to wire him enough money to perhaps secure an efficiency apartment for a couple months and maybe get a cheap used car. 4 months later he was locked up again- this time for 7 years. To this day I wonder if the $1200.00 I was able to give him helped him- or hurt him. Now he's about to be released again and I am really troubled with thoughts of whether there might be ANYTHING at all that I can do to help. "

The wrote on Aug 25, 2007 11:08 PM:

" prison system is a business. The more bodies they have the more money they make. "Mother" is correct. It's not as much fun as JD and Max (niether of them I'll bet has ever done any time) seem to think. It's true that sometimes people need to "pay" for their transgressions but lopping off fingers and that sort of thing is a little draconian don't you think? You're not one of them al quaidas are you? "

My own brother wrote on Aug 25, 2007 11:00 PM:

" is about to be paroled (likely) from Iowa State Penitentiary after serving 5 years of a 7 yr. sentence. This is his second prison term- first was for 3 years. He's almost 40. He was kicked out of the Army at 20 for hitting his sergeant. Throughout his 20's he never held a job for long at all and lived in various shelters, often arrested for several things. From an early age he exhibited anger and violence and instilled fear even in his family. We feel he's a danger to others when he's out "free", and as his family- we find we worry for him far less when we know he's locked-up. At least when he's in the system we know his basic needs are being met- maybe not in the most ideal manner- but at least far better than he historically has been able to do for himself. We wish a far better than for him than he seems to wish for himself. "

Corrections? wrote on Aug 25, 2007 10:17 PM:

" As a volunteer in the prison system I can tell you that prisoners are not getting luxuries. The meals are terrible and the mattresses to the bunks are nothing to write home about. They provide for their own electronics and make 40.00 a month for wages. Inmates integrating back into society have a greater chance of recitivism. It is pretty scary to come out to no support and return to what is familiar. The statistics prove the facts that high recitivism exists, but I say send those 'folks' to war and let them fight instead of sitting behind walls doing absolutely nothing. Give them mandatory directives inside instead them just 'bide' time during their 'bit'. Alot of them go back and look at it as a time to 'sleep' it off (another way to escape from the realities of life). Taxpayers send them off to do nothing and the criminal system allows them to 'be lazy' instead of giving them 'responsibilites'. 'Boot Camp' may allow them to do something so they don't have time to sit and plan their next illegal 'stunt' when they get out. "

Mother of a Former Prisoner wrote on Aug 25, 2007 10:00 PM:

" To JD who wrote on Aug 25, 2007 7:25 PM: Three squares? Medical care? dream on. My son was incarcerated in a medium-minimum, and was a cook. Starvation diets, maggots in the food, rotten fruit, with the strong stealing the meal trays of the weak and guards do nothing. A man had a stroke on his tier and all the guards did was throw him back in his cell. Dental services! When my son came home he had to have all his top teeth pulled. He said that many of the prisoners return because they have nowhere else to be and at least prison is a structured life. The small offender can be taught a lot about how to be a big criminal. I can't believe the taxpayer pays $21,000 per prisoner. For what? "

MAX wrote on Aug 25, 2007 9:58 PM:

" I agree JD. I know I will hear it, but if I ruled the land. Those prisoners in max now are in there why? BEcause they took another persons life? I tell you what I am all for you take a life you give yours. If you steal, you lose your fingers etc. While they are in there.. they should be raising their own cattle, growing their own garden etc. "

To: JD wrote on Aug 25, 2007 9:32 PM:

" You couldn't be more right. It used to be that criminals warned others of prison life; now they encourage others to get busted so they can get a free education and 3 squares a day. We have a jsutice system that dispenses anything but justice. Commit murder, then forfeit your life. Use drugs, then how about solitude and restitution to society. If you steal, then your home becomes prison, and those you stole from get a lein on your home and wages. That's justice! "

Damen wrote on Aug 25, 2007 9:17 PM:

" Department of Corrections? Sounds like there's not a whole lot of "correcting" going on. How about "Department of Lifelong Vacations in the Graybar Hotel?" "

to JD wrote on Aug 25, 2007 8:34 PM:

" If you want medium and max security inmates on work details, be sure to tell Rod to greatly increase the DOC budget. Inside the walls, you can have 2 officers watching 100 inmates. Out on a road crew, you'd need 30 officers to watch 100 inmates. That is, unless you want inmates escaping into your neighborhood. "

JD wrote on Aug 25, 2007 7:25 PM:

" When inmates get 3 square meals a day, a color TV with cable, access to a store to buy munchies, free medical, and access to a gym, why should they stay out of prison? I know people working hard that do not have access to all that. Perhaps if we quit treating them like they have done something right, make prison something they do not want to return too, and work them on road crews and such till they are ready to drop each day, they would be less likely to want to come back. "
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