State and Federal Laws: Complementary or Contradictory?

Comments & Feedback

I agree completely with your view based on your experience. I spent six years in an Oregon State Correctional Facility and it changed my life. But it was only due to the staff and their willingness to help me with accountibility, life skills, addiction and cognitive issues and most importantly, empathy. When there were issues with funding, staff both correctional officers and suport staff would facilitate classes on their own time to ensure there was programming available to offenders who wanted to take advantage of it. I have been out seven years and am married have two children, finished college and work in human services.

During my incarceration the State of Oregon contracted with a private prison in Arizona (I believe it was CCA) to house inmates from Oregon. When the offenders returned to Oregon they were very unhappy to be returning. They were very happy being in a private prison where they did not have to program, were able to have personal items not allowed in a State facility and were able to tatoo, smoke tobacco, and had more freedom to engage in illegal or at a minimum unethical behavior.

My point being that the interaction between staff and inmates have far greater implications than just the safety and security of an institution. It can be the key to mentoring to adults who are clearly dysfunctional. I have always said that prison is a lot like Junior High School, in that the level of maturity, decision making and behaviors is more closely aligned to that of early teens (no offense to teenagers).

I never debate about offenders having the opportunity to be released back into society, I leave that to our Judicial System. I do know we are a humane country and safety and security to the public should always be at the forefront of incarceration. I am horrified by the events of this escape and believe there needs to be more research into clearly evidence based practices that are working. Our private prison facilities do not seem to be working. I know the attraction to privatization is the cost and clearly as taxpayers we are feeling overburdened, but to what expense are we saving money? In Oregon we require every inmate to be actively engaged in work and treatment full-time. I really appreciate your comments.

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Your post regarding King Kong the unhappy camper cracked me up. 2 feet and a heart beat plus what kind of gas..... Good humor and you made your point.

— babba1055

Hey P.O. there are alot of issues we see eye to eye on, that's kinda reassuring and scary at the same time!

— DEATHNELL J.

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