PRISON PROGRAMMING – IS IT A PANACEA?

By Donna R. Gore, M.A. 

I suppose you could call me a state government junkie…as well as an information junkie. As a state employee, I feel it is my duty to keep informed. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I downgraded my cable service long ago to “basic” to save about $600 a year. Therefore, I watch a lot of political affairs shows interspersed with my Netflix DVDs of choice.

It is a minimalist life, but a fine compromise for me in my considerable quest to change careers and offer my talents and services to the Southern California or San Diego community. (Hopefully, in the near future).

Given the above, I was perfectly content to watch a series of parole hearings sponsored by the State of Connecticut Department of Corrections during a recent Saturday night dinner in front of the TV.

(Author’s Note- There is approximately 3.5 million residents in Connecticut, 19 state prisons and 1 federal prison (not counting county jails).

The hearing consisted of three officers, two male, one female and a parole officer. (Male) As I viewed the parade of offenders, I noted many things of interest to a survivor of violent crime.

Each offender looked similar, and presented similar crimes. However, there was a wide array of articulateness, perceived intelligence or lack thereof, aptitude for verbal expression and motivation. This should come as no surprise when one thinks of the make up of the general population.

The hearing officers, who were doing their job to the best of their ability, went through the procedures in a rather bland and rote manner. They were perfect in their social etiquette, saying “Good morning” to each offender, wishing them a Happy New Year, addressing each by their Sir Name etc.

Questions involved prison behavior, how many infractions they received and why, who was in their life as a support system; inquiring as to their plans for the future, whether they had acquired a GED; what programs they attended and liked best. Occasionally, they asked if “Mr. Offender” had any remorse for their victims.

Time after time, when asked about the programming the offender had participated in, the majority would name one or two programs, followed by:

“I signed up for “X program” but they don’t offer it here” or (more typically) “There is a waiting list of at least a year.”

This author recalls watching many legislative hearings in the past and learning that our state has an excessive number of programs on the books for Connecticut offenders, both within the confines of the cement walls and as part of a non-profit re-entry program into civilized society.

***In fact, the Department of Corrections currently offers an alphabetical compendium of programs listed as “Offender Programs and Victim Services Unit.” Consisting of 264 pages of offerings! Upon close examination, almost without exception they are meant for prisoners and not for the benefit of victims. Granted, not every program is continuously offered…. But still…

Although my allegiance is always for the survivor of crime first and foremost....

What is wrong with the picture I have painted thus far? Plenty! 264 pages and inmates are on waiting lists for a year or more… Why is this so?

At considerable expense, we are supposed to mold offenders into responsible citizens. We clothe, feed, educate, skill train, provide parenting classes, assist in ridding substance abuse and other addictions, provide role models, domestic violence and other forms of counseling, AIDS treatment, mental health remediation, and all other forms of medical, social and emotional treatment necessary.

Why is the wait to rehabilitate so long? I can think of a few reasons…

1) Lack of instructors – A chosen few pursues the calling to work with offenders in these oppressive environments. Most do not;

2) Bottlenecks in the system- You can only re-arrange the deck chairs so many ways. Let’s say a class or training has the capacity for 30 student inmates. Perhaps, for whatever reason, those who qualify withdraw or are de-selected for tickets/infractions. The process may be held up further for approving the next candidates who are waiting because of the actions of others before them. If inmates require these classes for re-entry, another year in prison waiting for a program is indeed a long wait.

3) Supply and Demand- The demand for specific programs is so great in a particular geographic area, that the supply is always far less than the need.

4) Warehousing- Those who would otherwise be in the mainstream of society are taking up prison space and using resources needlessly as they wait for in-house programs, or housing on the outside.

Highly respected and retired DOC Commissioner, Theresa C. Lanz established a priority of supporting offender re-integration when she changed the model from strict confinement to community re-entry under supervision in the mid and late 1990’s. The transitional services overview on the DOC website states, “Since more than 95 percent of offenders (19,000+ currently) will eventually be released from prison, the department already offers extensive educational/vocational, substance abuse, parenting and other programs that will aid in supporting that transition….

A key component is stakeholders-including other state agencies such as the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the Department of Social Services. the Department of Labor and the Department of Veteran Affairs as well as community based advocacy groups.”

As of January 2009 when the information was updated, those stakeholders contracted just 1,299 halfway house beds and supervised more than 3,500 additional “low risk offenders” in the community. Connecticut has increased its use of mental health professionals in the courts and created increased funding for its diversionary programs.

However, this author’s opinion is that the lack of sufficient beds in the community and the “not in my neighborhood” stance when it comes to group homes and halfway houses often places ex- prisoners in overcrowded homeless shelters.

So, are they left to languish in prison waiting for their required programs to become available, thus getting into further altercations? Or do they hope to transfer to another DOC facility where the program is available so that they can meet the parole rule minimum of 50% incarceration and then into the community with “whatever supports are available” ensuring public safety?

For the blog reader, ‘Just a Sampling of the 264 page program offerings:

Action Drama – A highly acclaimed outreach drama program;

Addiction Services- Tiers I-IV

Administrative Segregation- A Better Way- Video series on life changing behaviors

Career Exploration Fair;

Aids Awareness Group;

Alternatives to Violence- basic, intermediate and advanced

Bicycle and Wheelchair Repair;

Braille Program- Enables inmates in protective custody to be trained as a qualified pool of Braille writers assisting blind people in CT (Overseen by staff at this author’s agency);

Cage your Rage for Women;

Circle of Strength Dual Diagnosis Program;

Cosmetology/Barbering;

Default- Monthly education and therapy group for cancer survivors;

DUI Program;

Empowerment Book Club;

Family Matters- Designed for young men with estranged family relations;

Gambling- The Better Choice Program;

Girl Scouts Behind Bars- Volunteers from the Girl Scouts bring daughters of inmates to the facility for creative activities;

Grief and Adjustment;

Health Lecture Series;

Hospitality Operations Technology- Student preparation work in the hospitality industry;

Incarcerated Veteran’s Program;

Intramural Sports- participants must be ticket free;

Juman- Weekly Islamic worship;

Marker Plate Manufacturing- (Author’s Note- Yes, Virginia, they still make license plates in prison)

Mindful Living Meditation;

Resume Builder-Computer Skills;

V.O.I.C.E.S- Victim- Offender Institutional Correctional Educational Services-

Volunteer supported group to “broaden inmates understanding and sensitivity to the impact of their crime on others.

Wouldn’t it be a wonderful society if, at birth, we had a 264 page list of “programs for life” offered to new parents rather than those for incarcerated people? All of these programs and resources could be put to good use “in preparation for life in the community” from the baby’s and parent’s first coo. The A through Z menu could be used starting with “P” for parenting classes and choosing others along the way as needed, thus virtually eliminating the need for prisons. What a concept!


Donna R. Gore, M. A. "Lady Justice"

Homicide Survivor in Connecticut

Stalking and Teens: How Dangerous Is It Really?

 By Susie Kroll

Doesn’t it seem like everywhere we turn there are stories about stalking?  Numerous celebrities are or have been stalked by some crazy person.  So, it must only happen to famous people, right?  Let us not forget that the media’s portrayal of these stalkers is less than accurate for the rest of society.  What I mean is we’ve seen the mug shots on TV or in magazines.  Or we have heard the reports of sample communications between the stalker and victim.  Usually they are full of misspellings, crazy ideas, and the pictures of the stalkers usually consist of wild hair, orange jail jumpsuits, and strange eyes.

If I were a teen being exposed to this, I would assume a few things.  One, that stalking happens to people other than little ol’ me.  Two, the victim has to be rich, famous, or in the media’s spotlight for one reason or another.  Three, the victim has to be one of the “beautiful people” that everyone wants to know or be like.  Four, stalkers are strangers to the victim.  Finally, all stalkers have to be missing a few screws, nuts, crazy, maybe a little off balance, in other words mentally ill.

What do I have to say to that? Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong.  According to the Stalking Resource Center, annually 3.4 million people are victims of stalking.  Even though all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and most US territories have laws against stalking, only 37% of male stalking victims and 41% of female stalking victims report these events to law enforcement.  In addition, the Stalking Resource Center reports that 75% of all victims know their stalkers.  Of that percentage, 30% are former or current intimate partners or spouses.   Finally, the Stalking Resource Center states that while some cases of stalking involve a stalker that is mentally ill, there is no evidence that all stalkers are mentally ill. 

The Webster’s New World Law definition of stalking is: A form of harassment generally comprised of repeated persistent following with no legitimate reason and with the intention of harming, or so as to arouse anxiety or fear of harm in the person being followed. Stalking may also take the form of harassing telephone calls, computer communications, letter-writing, etc. See also cyber-stalking and harassment.

Stalking can have serious repercussions for the victim including changing jobs, residence, phone numbers, daily routines, and even their identities, in order to protect themselves.   In this day and age, stalking has a new method of mayhem, technology.  Caller ID, cell phones, GPS, website histories, emails, public record searches, and social networking are just a few of the new ways someone can keep tabs on you. 

For Teens, stalking takes on a whole new dimension.  While an adult being stalked can feel like a prisoner, they have certain freedoms teens aren’t usually afforded.  An adult’s stalker may not work at the same place they do nor do they hang out at the same place as the victim for 8 straight hours or more on a daily basis.  Since 75% of all victims know their stalkers it is safe to say that most teens also know their stalkers.  Where do teens spend most of their time 5 days a week? School.  Where do they know most of the people in their lives from? School.  The next likely conclusion, their stalkers also go to school with them.  Now, can a teen leave school at any time, change schools easily, or exert the type of control over their environment that an adult can?  Not likely. 

There in is the new dimension of stalking for teens.  Stalking for teens is more easily concealed from adults not just because teens are less likely to report but also because their stalkers blend easier, as they have to be at school also.  Combine this with the fact that the victim and stalker also may be in certain classes together and you have an intense pressure situation.  Then, in comes the technology.  Stalkers have texting, caller ID, GPS, and social networking, in addition to the rumor mill to keep tabs on their victim.  Friends can inadvertently pass along information to the stalker by just taking what they did over the weekend with the victim.  Or the stalker can see what is going on by viewing Facebook or MySpace pages.  This is especially easy if the victim does not know how to best secure their pages from prying eyes.  Even more scary, is even if someone’s page is totally secure and only viewable by their friends there is still a danger of access.

 Consider this scenario:  Jill and Dan were dating for 6 months before she broke up with him.  Dan is upset about the break-up and he just won’t leave Jill alone.  He shows up at her soccer practice, has 3 classes and lunch with her, and also rides the same bus home.  Dan repeatedly texts and calls Jill.  Jill and Dan have friends in common, friends like Ann and Jake.  Even though Jill un-friended and blocked Dan after the break-up she didn’t un-friend Ann or Jake.  Jake and Dan are hanging out at Jake’s place after school and Jake is not aware of Dan’s stalking.  So, Dan takes advantage of this by asking Jake about his Facebook account.  With some clever conversation, Dan is able to see Jill’s page again by viewing it through Jake’s account.  Now he knows what Jill is saying to people, where she is going, and possibly if she is interested in or seeing someone new.

So what is a teen to do?  Teens need to be made aware of the dangers of stalking via technological advancements and social networking sites.  They also need to feel like they can talk to a trusted adult without fear of having their issues minimized because they are, after all, “only teens”.  Stalking is a serious topic that has serious consequences.  Stalkers don’t often give up if ignored.  In fact, the direct opposite occurs.  Over time, the stalker’s behavior can escalate and become even more threatening.  It may feel nice, at first to have someone pay so much attention to you but it is never okay to stalk.  Seemingly innocent infatuation can be legally considered stalking and quickly become dangerous. 

As parents, trusted adults, advocates, and caregivers, we can become educated about stalking.  We can learn the ins and outs of it and what the legality is in the state we reside in.  We can teach our teens about the differences between innocent infatuation and a dangerous situation.  We can listen when a teen talks to us about what is happening and take it seriously.  We can educate ourselves and our teens about technology and how to safeguard ourselves.  If the idea of technology is scary, have your teen teach you.  It is a great way to open up a dialog and make sure they know how to keep safe.

Together we can end stalking by teaching our teens and we may even save their lives.

All of these statistics and additional information can be found at the National Center for Victims of Crime’s website, www.ncvc.org.   For more information about Susie Kroll and Teen Dating Violence visit www.susiekroll.com

Can You Trust Your Child’s Teacher?

By: Gaétane F. Borders

For Lamya Cannon’s mother, the answer to this question is a resounding NO! You remember the story….. last fall her teacher cut off one of her braids because she had been playing with her hair. According to her mother, Lamya’s teacher admitted to doing so, but did not seem remorseful. After initially hearing about this situation, I wondered out loud if there were any indications that this teacher was…well…unstable before this unbelievable incident? Had there been similar occurrences with other students? Or, did she just “snap” on that day. Typically speaking, there are telltale signs that suggest that something just ain’t right.

So, how can you tell if your child’s teacher is behaving badly? Well, it’s important to know that young children are typically not able to articulate their feelings. Instead, they may express somatic complaints (i.e. Stomachaches, headaches, sore throats etc.). They may cry or tantrum when its time to go to school, or you may notice a drastic decline in their grades. Or, they may begin to emphasize how much they hate school. Any and all of these behaviors is cause for your concern because they suggest that something may not be right.

Of Course, there are also more obvious indicators as well. In fact, there is a list of educator No-no’s which include but are not limited to:

• Telling students to “Shut up!”

• Calling students “stupid” or “idiots”

• Cutting their hair (sigh)

• Hitting, slapping, or shoving students

• Creating a classroom environment that breads bullying, teasing, or taunting

• Denying students the opportunity to learn by repeatedly sending them out of class

What would you do if this happened to your child? Just how common do things like this happen in schools? These are questions that parents are surely asking themselves after Lamya’s story hit the news. Please realize that as a parent, you have a tremendous amount of power. Many times, parents are intimidated by school administrators and the procedures. However, it is critical that you speak up and report any issues that are concerning to you. First, speak to your child to get their story. Take detailed notes, including dates and names. Next, speak directly with the teacher and ask that an assistant principal is present. Also contact the school principal and make them aware of your concerns. Indicate in no uncertain terms that you are ready and willing to bring your complaints to the school board if your concerns are not taken seriously. Put everything in writing for legal purposes and give the school an opportunity to act appropriately. If you do not feel comfortable with their decision, by all means call the school board…and an attorney.

I must say that as a School Psychologist who has devoted her life to making a positive impact in the lives of students…I am simply appalled when I learn of incidents of impropriety by educators. There is NEVER an excuse or reason to cause physical or emotional trauma to a child. Educators are held to a certain standard of excellence, as they not only educate children, but must also ensure their emotional and physical safety. That is why it is so disconcerting when the very people who are supposed to protect children are the ones at fault.

Albeit extreme, I wish that I could say Lamya’s story is an isolated incident….but with all honesty I cannot. No doubt, the preponderance of educators are phenomenal and committed to the art of educating and inspiring students. However, as with any other profession, there are some bad apples. Identifying these educators and making sure that they are appropriately disciplined is key. The impact that teachers make is inarguable, and when a teacher behaves badly it can have lasting effects on academic performance, as well as self-esteem.

A Vision for Being Victim-Centered Until We Are Victim-less

By David Voth 

A good heart can make a difference in someone’s life. A good plan guides a good heart to make a difference in thousands of people’s lives. A plan for victim recovery is the precursor to the Promised Land of having no victims.

Put your long range wondering cap on. Look beyond the daily problems and words we use, victim, witness, survivor, or thriver, and imagine what it means to put victims first, at the center of our services and systems. Consider the idea that the master plan for a victim centered, and ultimately victim-less world, is twofold and multi-faceted. It involves the individual and systemic responses.

The Individual Response

There are four core needs of victims: safety, healing, justice, and restitution (financial recovery). Victims’ recovery process has common themes and stages, but also varies for each person – specific to their disability, language, culture, or literacy level. For example, victims benefit when they are assured that they are not alone, are believed, and have their immediate safety issues addressed. Some just want their money back. Personal support is everyone’s role -- family, friends, co-workers, parishioners, Victim Advocates, and neighbors.


Victim Outcomes

For programs responding victims, the four outcomes of safety, healing, justice, and restitution are the reason they exist. That includes providing protection orders, crisis counseling, system guide, and compensation assistance. However, even doubling these services with a new grant is not the goal. Success is when, in the end, the victim is safer, is healing emotionally, is receiving justice, and is able to pay their bills. Logic models with practice-based and research informed outcomes can help victims create an individual and sequential plan for their recovery, even in unprosecuted crimes. Victim-centered outcomes are also victim-driven.


Victim Services

However, outcomes are not the whole picture. A victim-centered response includes assuring Access (are services visible, accessible, acceptable, and available when needed?), Structure (are services provided with best-practice governance, partnerships, tools, staff, and the right services?), and Process (are victims treated ethically, professionally, uniquely, and sensitively?) If victims don’t know about you, you don’t have the needed services, or you do not treat or communicate with them well, then positive victim outcomes are limited to very few victims.

The Systemic Response

Crime is a violation of people and the fabric of society, not just a law. Going upstream to stop victimization involves obstructing undercurrents of sexism, power and control, racism, and privilege, while building dams of prevention and morality, and assuring a victim-centered justice system for those we fail to protect. We must believe and plan for the elimination of crime, just as Mothers Against Drunk Driving is striving to eliminate drunk driving, through technological, moral, and enforcement improvements.


Prevention Issues

One facet to eliminating victimization includes supporting the six levels of the “spectrum of prevention” advocated by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. They are key to changing the societal response to crime. The solution includes 1) strengthening individual knowledge and skills, 2) promoting community education, 3) educating providers, 4) fostering coalitions and networks, 5) changing organizational practices, and 6) influencing policies and legislation. Research also tells us that being a victim once is a higher correlation to future victimization than age, gender, geography, or race. Prevention is key, and includes re-victimization.


Moral Issues

Building societal impediments to crime is like fighting the tide unless millions of consciences are also awakened. Crime is a moral issue. It is not an act of God, but a force of (human) nature. Our moral response to victims must be equal to the other customer of grace, the offender. A victim centered response includes offender culpability (from the outside) and responsibility (from in the inside). Since faith without works is dead, we must practically support victims in a spiritual and neighborly sense, including a seamless safety net for the abused, assaulted, and arsoned, with sanctuary, funding, rights, and services. It takes a spiritual village to name and turn back evil, even as we change hearts one person at a time.


Justice Issues

For years to come there will be victims caught in crime’s raging waters. So, from investigation, protection orders, and trials to offender releases, our laws and protocols must be focused on victim’s need for safety, healing, fairness, and financial wholeness. Every justice system delay and decision must include the balancing question, “How might this affect the victim’s safety and recovery?” For example in the financial recovery area, restitution laws and practices must preserve defendant’s assets before they are destroyed or unavailable for restitution, must comprehensively determine losses, and must prioritize payment to victims. The primary obligation is to the victim, before creditors, courts, or taxing authorities. “Justice for all” assures victim’s right to be informed, present, and heard while always being treated with fairness, dignity, and respect.

Our vision is to plan, research, and put into practice a world where victims’ needs are central at every point their lives might be affected, before and after the crime. We need a victim-centered individual and systemic response. If we can imagine it, someday we can live in it. Then, as we become victim-centered, the remaining systemic mountains can be moved to eliminate crime with new family, spiritual, and cultural values that prioritize true Shalom.

David L. Voth has been director of Crime Victim Services, a comprehensive victim advocacy program in Ohio, since 1985.  He has helped draft and testified on victim rights legislation in Ohio and Congress, and is author of the book, Quality Victim Advocacy: A Field Guide.