Our correctional system not only faces overcrowding and high staff turnover, but has also become the gatekeeper for the mentally ill and housing for illegal immigrants. The shrinking of subsidized mental health facilities and growing immigrant problems add to the burden on an already compromised environment.
Statistically, the recidivism highlights the urgent need for reform. Although percentage figures are not readily available, in 2005, a study of 30 states revealed a recidivism rate of 67.8% within the first 3 years of release and 76.6% within 5 years of release .
According to the US Department of Justice Program Diagnostic Center, the suicide rate for corrections officers is much higher than in other occupations, and a large percentage suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. However, they are not recognized as vital participants in our social order. Stress has been labeled the silent killer among correctional officers. Metaphorically, they are located right in the middle where the dragons can approach from all angles. Administration demands that force them to work shifts that extend far beyond their reflexes, along with handling angry inmates, keep them in constant first aid mode. Admitting that they may need help managing stress is interpreted as weakness, which is a forbidden trait within the culture.
Strong, dedicated staff to oversee rehabilitation and reentry programs should be a priority. We fail miserably (according to recidivism statistics) in preparing inmates to assume a responsible position in society upon release. We fail to recognize and treat the symptoms of PTSD in our prison staff. We failed to provide interim facilities for inmates to return to the daily necessities of life.
With the United States ranking among the highest per capita for incarceration, the need for reform at all levels is clear. The debate on privatization is ongoing. There are those who believe that unloading our government in favor of corporate jailing is the answer. The immediate red flag for privatization is constitutional. Delegating discretionary government functions to private entities that have financial interests would reflect directly on discretionary power. Full beds and profit margins would determine the agendas. The government is bound by due process, corporations are bound by percentages of profit.
It is possible to have a penal system that actually works, but it would require personnel who are authorized to work it. Learning new skills, receiving counseling and having a position of responsibility in the respective units should be mandatory for inmates and not offered as a time limit. We have to stop storing and start arranging.
