Pubdate: Sat, 27 Dec 2003
Source: Wichita Eagle (KS)
Copyright: 2003 The Wichita Eagle
Contact: http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/editorial/4664538.htm
Website: http://www.wichitaeagle.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/680
Author: DAVID H. WILKINSON
Note: David H. Wilkinson is facilitator of AfterCare ACTion Initiative II, 
a ministry of the Kansas West Conference of the United Methodist Church

ADD MORE SUPPORT SERVICES, NOT PRISON BEDS

A task force convened by Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline and led by 
state Sen. Derek Schmidt, R-Independence, is championing the case for 
private prisons -- or prisons for profit. These leaders argue that this is 
a solution to the prison-capacity problem in Kansas.

But the notion of corporate prisons in Kansas should alarm us all. 
Companies shouldn't profit from the suffering of others. Additionally, 
corporate prisons create problems by design, an issue this task force has 
not fully researched nor addressed.

Kansas' prisons are near capacity for a multitude of reasons, the least of 
which is space. A comprehensive look at the issues, systems and needs of 
the Kansas Department of Corrections is necessary to address this issue 
long term.

Foremost is the need to deal with the issue of the transition from prison 
to community. Currently in Kansas, the rate of return to prison is more 
than 65 percent. Last fiscal year, more than 2,000 persons returned to 
prison for technical violations of their parole, not for committing a new 
crime.

This recidivism rate is driven by the lack of support for the formerly 
incarcerated in their transition to freedom. Formerly incarcerated people 
often have a history of drug addiction, mental-health issues, low levels of 
job skills and a lack of educational achievement. Prison life does little 
to address the primary reasons most people are in prison. The result is the 
ever-revolving door of prison.

Resources directed at continuing a failed prison system should be directed 
toward reintegration efforts, not more incarceration. Models of this being 
done successfully exist around the nation.

KDOC has a reintegration program in Shawnee County, funded by a federal 
grant, that shows great promise in creating success in reintegration of the 
formerly incarcerated. Faith-based groups as well have demonstrated 
successful reintegration programs.

Successful reintegration is not rocket science. Cutting the recidivism rate 
should be the primary concern of our policy-makers. This is where our 
energy should be directed.

The recidivism rate is what is fueling growth in Kansas prison populations 
- -- a fact borne out by crime statistics indicating historically low crime 
rates in Kansas and the nation.

We need to work to return people, our fellow Kansans, to productive lives 
as taxpayers, family members and members or our community who, like all of 
us, have made mistakes. This issue will not be resolved by constructing 
prisons, but by constructing caring communities and compassionate answers.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart