Senator Webb Wants Prison Reform
It is quite the political risk, especially in his home state of Virginia, but Webb wants Congress to take a hard look at the current prison system and do the work to make some key reforms:
This spring, Webb (D-Va.) plans to introduce legislation on a long-standing passion of his: reforming the U.S. prison system. Jails teem with young black men who later struggle to rejoin society, he says. Drug addicts and the mentally ill take up cells that would be better used for violent criminals. And politicians have failed to address this costly problem for fear of being labeled “soft on crime.”
Webb’s proposed legislation will only authorize a National Panel to review the system, its operations and come up with recommendations for change. Which means we may hear the status quo if the “soft on crime” rhetoric gets is way. But it is worth noting that at least one Senator is ready to take a hard look at a prison system that is fundamentally flawed and dysfunctional. And I think that the economic downturn seems like a good (although possibly counterintuitive) time to review prison policy. States everywhere are facing multiple economic issues in regards to their prisons: Consolidating prisoners and closing one or two facilities to save money (NYS, Kansas, Washington); systems everywhere are facing increased medical costs for inmates and evaluating options to release the low-risk, sick offenders; and many states are floating trial balloons or evaluations for reviewing sentencing guidelines in an effort to leave the low risk offenders to county jail, supervised parole or drug treatment.
I’ll also note that this is a sideways route to take a look at very flawed drug policy too – since much of the dysfunction of the system is in incarcerating those with small amounts of drugs (but who otherwise aren’t a threat) and those who should be in drug treatment (as threat reduction). There’s no doubt that Webb’s effort will not put an end to the failed War on Drugs, but it certainly is a good opportunity to highlight the very high costs of its failure and perhaps get more of us to start talking about better ways to address a portion of the problems.
Tags: War on Drugs
I read that the U.S. imprisons the highest percentage of our population than any other country in the industrialized world. It bothers me that people like Bernard Madoff, Scooter Libby or Ken Lay get little or no jail time for hurting way more people than someone with a couple of ounces of cocaine.
I think the War on Drugs, which was lost years ago, needs to be revisited.
In regards to crime and punishment in the United States, we have the highest per capita prison population in the world. Our prison population (per capita, once again) is 22% higher than our nearest competitor, Russia. As if this is something you want to compete in. Other neighbors in the top ten are Belarus, Palau, Belize, Suriname, Dominica, Ukraine, The Bahamas and South Africa.
At least we are successful at exporting high incarceration rates to the Western Hemisphere.
BTW, we have a rate almost 400% higher than Spain, the closest Western Industrial Democracy.
So instead of the military-industrial complex we actually have the military-prison-industrial complex.
The War on Drugs is one of the U.S. failed policies. In my mind, the biggest U.S. policy failures are the following:
1) Cuba policy – after 50 yrs., Castro is retiring
2) War on Drugs
3) Abstinence-only education
I am sure there are others I have not thought of right now!
UI touched on it….the Business of Incarceration. Many small towns rely on a high prison rate and Federal funds, sad to say.
If anyone thought Obama would legalize it, Alabama’s 9 Numbers tells us to think again.
If you’re interested in prison reform check out the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003. It too has a national panel but I have little idea as to whether or not they’ve been effective.
I did not think that Obama would legalize anything, but do have some hope that he’ll have the DEA and DOJ make retaliating against states who have decriminalized or who have medical marijuana a very low priority. He was in favor of addressing the disparity between coke and crack sentencing and in making those recommendations retroactive. But I don’t know what to predict. The Webb study, though, (depending on its findings) could provide a real platform to at least have a serious discussion about these issues — and I can’t remember a serious discussion about drug policy in my lifetime. It is all usually about ginning up tons of fear and misinformation.
But the business of incarceration, as several states have been working on privatizing prison ops, is a very big business indeed with a very powerful lobby. On the other hand, in states like California, the Prison Guard union provides the same function of lobbying and cash to legislators to try to expand that franchise.
This data is a year and a half old, but NOW pulled together some interesting stats re: prisons. There is also a cool interactive graphic allowing you to see what your state stats on incarceration.
For Delaware (as of 2007):
– In 2007, 7,081 people were behind bars in Delaware, representing a 1.7% drop over the previous year.
– Delaware spent $240 million in fiscal year 2007 on corrections.
– For every dollar spent on higher education, $1 was spent on corrections.
I think this is what Tom is referring to : The National Prison Rape Elimination Commission.
A quick look at their webpage it seems that they are still working and have published two sets of draft standards for preventing prison rape for adults and juveniles. I can’t tell if they’ve actually reported the findings of their study to the President yet.
A “SINGLE VOICE PROJECT” is the official name of the petition sponsored by: The National Public Service Council To Abolish Private Prisons (NPSCTAPP)
THIS PETITION SEEKS TO ABOLISH ALL PRIVATE PRISONS IN THE UNITED STATES, (or any place subject to its jurisdiction)
The National Public Service Council To Abolish Private Prisons (NPSCTAPP) is a grass roots organization driven by a single objective. We want the United States government to reclaim sole authority for state and federal prisons on US soil.
We want the United States Congress to immediately rescind all state and federal contracts that permit private prisons “for profit” to exist in the United States, or any place subject to its jurisdiction. We understand that the problems that currently plague our government, its criminal justice system and in particular, the state & federal bureau of prisons (and most correctional and rehabilitation facilities) are massive. However, it is our solemn belief that the solutions for prison reform will remain unattainable and virtually impossible as long as private prisons for profit are permitted to operate in America.
Prior to the past month, and the fiasco of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, AIG, Lehman Brothers, and now the “Big Three” American Automobile manufacturers, the NPSCTAPP has always felt compelled to highlight the “moral Bottom line” when it comes to corrections and privatization. Although, we remain confounded by the reality that our government has allowed our justice system to be operated by private interests. The NPSCTAPP philosophy has always been “justice” should not be for sale at any price. It is our belief that the inherent and most fundamental responsibility of the criminal justice system should not be shirked, or “jobbed-out.” This is not the same as privatizing the post office or some trash pick up service in the community. There has to be a loss of meaning and purpose when an inmate looks at a guard’s uniform and instead of seeing an emblem that reads State Department of Corrections or Federal Bureau of Prisons, he sees one that says: “Atlas Prison Corporation.”
Let’s assume that the real danger of privatization is not some innate inhumanity on the part of its practitioners but rather the added financial incentives that reward inhumanity. The same logic that motivates companies to operate prisons more efficiently also encourages them to cut corners at the expense of workers, prisoners and the public. Every penny they do not spend on food, medical care or training for guards is a dime they can pocket. What happens when the pennies pocketed are not enough for the shareholders? Who will bailout the private prison industry when they hold the government and the American people hostage with the threat of financial failure…“bankruptcy?” What was unimaginable a month ago merits serious consideration today. State and Federal prison programs originate from government design, and therefore, need to be maintained by the government. It’s time to restore the principles and the vacated promise of our judicial system.
John F. Kennedy said, “The time to repair the roof is while the sun is shinning”. Well the sun may not be shinning but, it’s not a bad time to begin repair on a dangerous roof that is certain to fall…. because, “Incarcerating people for profit is, in a word WRONG”
There is an urgent need for the good people of this country to emerge from the shadows of cynicism, indifference, apathy and those other dark places that we migrate to when we are overwhelmed by frustration and the loss of hope.
It is our hope that you will support the NPSCTAPP with a show of solidarity by signing our petition. We intend to assemble a collection of one million signatures, which will subsequently be attached to a proposition for consideration. This proposition will be presented to both, the Speaker Of The House Of Representatives (Nancy Pelosi) and the United States Congress.
Please Help Us. We Need Your Support. Help Us Spread The Word About This Monumental And Courageous Challenge To Create Positive Change. Place The Link To The Petition On Your Website! Pass It On!
The SINGLE VOICE PETITION and the effort to abolish private “for profit” prisons is the sole intent of NPSCTAPP. Our project does not contain any additional agendas. We have no solutions or suggestions regarding prison reform. However, we are unyielding in our belief that the answers to the many problems which currently plague this nation’s criminal justice system and its penal system in particular, cannot and will not be found within or assisted by the private “for profit” prison business. The private “for profit” prison business has a stranglehold on our criminal justice system. Its vice-like grip continues to choke the possibility of justice, fairness, and responsibility from both state and federal systems.
These new slave plantations are not the answer!
For more information please call 415.420.3891 or visit: http://www.npsctapp.blogsppot.com or email: williamthomas@exconciliation.com
To sign the petition please visit: http://www.petitiononline.com/gufree2/petition.html
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
William Thomas
National Community Outreach Facilitator
The National Public Service Council To Abolish Private Prisons
P.O. Box 156423
San Francisco, California 94115
Great work. Perhaps you could add a box that someone signing the petition can fill in additional email addresses that would then be automatically forwarded with a link to the petition.