Published: August 02, 2008 03:23 pm            

JOHNSON: Should we rehabilitate more?

One of the reasons I’m writing this is because I want our community to have a better grasp of what’s going on in our correctional system, so that together we can explore ways to reduce crime, and our prison and jail populations.

An impossible task, you say? Well, with that kind of thinking, yes; but innovative ways to address crime and punishment are being tried in other communities throughout the country ... and many of these cutting-edge programs are working. If they are producing good results in other places, then why not try them here?

Those working in law enforcement, the courts, and our correctional facilities are doing their best to confront and reduce lawlessness. Every day, they deal with human behavior at its worst, so that you and I can be safe, and free to pursue happiness.

Some are injured in the line of duty, and even make the ultimate sacrifice. The “thin blue line” is thinner than most citizens realize; those in law enforcement especially deserve our gratitude, respect, and support. Greater love has no one than this ... that one lay down his life for his friends. Thank God they are willing to do it.

In spite of the best efforts of those trying to make it work, the system is not working as well as most of us would like. Law enforcement is overworked, our courts are clogged, and our prisons and jails have become crowded dormitories, where we warehouse people until it’s time to let them out. Then, after we let them out, 65 to 80 percent of them come right back to jail within three years of their release.

With a success rate of only 20 to 35 percent, it should be clear to anyone that something must change. If we act now, the next generation will inherit a better correctional system than ours.

The pressure of sheer numbers is part of our problem. According to the US Justice Department, our prison and jail populations grew by 500 percent between 1985 and 2005, from 400,000 to more than 2 million offenders. This five-fold increase in the number of incarcerated people has cost us billions for their care and feeding, not to mention all the new prisons and jails we’ve had to build to house them.

Few corrections professionals talk about rehabilitation these days; with all the overcrowding, rehabilitation has become a utopian dream. Yet with all the bad news, there is good news, too ... and we’re going to talk about it. Help is on the way!

Looking to the past for someone to blame is counterproductive. We can’t change the past; I’d rather look forward, and find ways to produce positive results.

I hope to encourage a lively, yet respectful dialogue through this column, where those who may not necessarily agree with one another can share their views, ask questions, and suggest topics for discussion. Our entire community can benefit from an examination of the issues of crime and punishment from many perspectives.

Occasionally, I will touch on controversial subjects; any worm cans lying around will be opened. Here are some of the topics I hope to cover in future columns:

• A brief history of corrections; we can learn from the past.

• Crime and punishment in the bible, and possible modern applications of biblical law. It may be old, but that doesn’t make it irrelevant.

• “Punitive” justice versus “restorative” justice.

• Co-operation between faith-based organizations and the criminal justice system; does it work?

• Juveniles and crime.

• Substance abuse and crime.

• Criminal behavior as a lifestyle, passed from one generation to the next.

• The root causes of crime, from a Christian perspective.

• Sex offenders — can anything be done?

• Criminal thinking versus normal thinking.

• Crime victims; are we doing enough for them? Can they be made whole?

• “Truth in sentencing” laws; a status report.

• Alternatives to incarceration.

• Rehabilitation.

• Are we winning the “War on Drugs?”

• Christian prison ministry; evolving to meet the challenges of a new century and a changing culture.

• Serving life on the installment plan; why 65 to 80 percent of offenders return to prison or jail within three years of their release.

I also hope to highlight local individuals, organizations, and ministries who are doing something to serve the community and reduce crime and recidivism here in southern Indiana.

That’s my laundry list; send me yours, and let the conversation begin.

The Rev. Richard H. Johnson is the co-founder and Executive Director of Christian Formation Ministries, Inc., in New Albany, whose mission is “to reduce crime, one changed life at a time.” He is in his fifteenth year in prison ministry, in the course of which he has traveled to 34 states and four Canadian provinces. He likes to sleep in his spare time. He may be reached at richard@christian-formation.org. His number at CFM, Inc. is 812-945-0886.

        

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