When I first came to Marion Correctional Institution, there were so many programs and things for inmates to do that I stayed busy throughout the day. I would get up at 5:30, get dressed, have a cup of coffee, brush my teeth and hair, and be out the door by 6:30. I would stay gone until count time around 10:30, and would leave again by about 11:30 for chow. I would stay gone until the next count time at around 3:30 and leave again at 4:30 for chow, and not come back to my lock until around 8:00. I would get a shower, grab a bite to eat, and get some sleep to start all over the next day.
These programs give inmates something to look forward to, keep their minds and hand occupied, and gave them reasons to stay out of trouble. When inmates have nothing to do, nor look forward to, they begin doing what they use to do. The things that caused them to come to prison in the first place. Unfortunately, when the state begins to complain about running out of money, the first thing they take from inmates are these programs. When the programs go, there is a dramatic increase in fights, drug use, and theft among inmates. Attacks on staff increase as well. When these attacks increase, the state says, “see, this is why we need more money. To hire more staff to keep prisons safe.” Sometimes, the administration in a certain facility will start stripping away programs just to cause a rise in violence. This way, the state will provide more money to that facility.
After everyone gets what they want, these programs never really come back. Inmates can spend years putting programs together and have it all wiped away for no apparent reason.
I firmly believe that the money set aside for security of a prison should be kept separate from funds used for programming. I also think that the wardens of each institution should not be allowed to cancel programs without a legitimate cause. Especially when one considers the fact that these programs reduce the very activities that cause the violence in the first place.
I would ask everyone to advocate for more programming in prisons that cannot be simply taken away at the whim of any administration for no apparent reason. These administrations should not be allowed to use the “Threat to Security” claim to get rid of programs when these programs are known for reducing these very threats.
Keep in mind, when these inmates get out of prison, they will be your neighbor, or the neighbor of someone you love. I once created an inmate group at Trumbull Correctional Institution called “Links.” The moto of the group was, “There is no greater community service we can provide than to ensure inmates succeed”. Think about it.
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