Comments on: The Day After Prison http://www.radioopensource.org/the-day-after-prison/ Christopher Lydon in conversation on arts, ideas and politics Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:27:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: h wally http://www.radioopensource.org/the-day-after-prison/#comment-73757 h wally Wed, 10 May 2006 23:18:22 +0000 http://www.radioopensource.org/?p=513#comment-73757 Has anyone heard what happened to all the sex offenders who escaped during Katrina? Has anyone heard what happened to all the sex offenders who escaped during Katrina?

]]> By: hurley http://www.radioopensource.org/the-day-after-prison/#comment-73756 hurley Fri, 05 May 2006 17:56:52 +0000 http://www.radioopensource.org/?p=513#comment-73756 Careful with your posts, Peter, if you only want your first name used -- you seem to have posted with first and last names. No Borders, a fine, not to say tragic, documentary on the problems prisoners have reintegrating with life on the outside currently airing on one of the National Geographic channels. Worth a look. Careful with your posts, Peter, if you only want your first name used — you seem to have posted with first and last names.

No Borders, a fine, not to say tragic, documentary on the problems prisoners have reintegrating with life on the outside currently airing on one of the National Geographic channels. Worth a look.

]]> By: sidewalker http://www.radioopensource.org/the-day-after-prison/#comment-73755 sidewalker Thu, 04 May 2006 01:41:23 +0000 http://www.radioopensource.org/?p=513#comment-73755 Thanks Potter. Your points make a lot of sense. I, too, have heard that most offenders are people we know, so it makes it much harder to protect our children. I remember there was a music teacher at my high school whose house I visited with my sister a couple of times. He and his wife always had lots of kids over and everyone thought he was a nice old guy who didn't have any kids of his own. Long after I had graduated I heard he was caught, but I don't know what happened to him. Like you said, if we vent all of our fears and anger at those who have been punished, this is unfair and irrational. That's not to say we shouldn't watch the high-risk offenders and those who don't take follow-up programmes. But how to do this is the issue and is society ready to properly fund rehabilitation programmes, when offenders cannot pay themselves. I know we would agree that real social security is not about wasting money on creating the conditions for more terrorists but on help people deal with their problems and make a life for themselves where they are less likely to feel lost and insignificant and to prey on weaker members of society. Your idea of community meetings also makes sense, as we need to be more informed of the actual conditions and not be inflamed by the media and 'get-tough' politicians. We don't want a police state, but we should be aware if there are people we don't know spending too much time in our neighbourhoods. One of the reasons I have felt my children are fairly safe in Tokyo is, ironically, that there are so many people and the houses are all so close together. Without much effort, we can see and hear everything around us. In fact, most of the incidents of children disappearing occur in the suburbs and rural areas. Still I never let my children go to the park alone, though many parents here do. I know that chances of something happening are very low, but I can't help worrying. Thanks Potter. Your points make a lot of sense. I, too, have heard that most offenders are people we know, so it makes it much harder to protect our children. I remember there was a music teacher at my high school whose house I visited with my sister a couple of times. He and his wife always had lots of kids over and everyone thought he was a nice old guy who didn’t have any kids of his own. Long after I had graduated I heard he was caught, but I don’t know what happened to him.

Like you said, if we vent all of our fears and anger at those who have been punished, this is unfair and irrational. That’s not to say we shouldn’t watch the high-risk offenders and those who don’t take follow-up programmes. But how to do this is the issue and is society ready to properly fund rehabilitation programmes, when offenders cannot pay themselves. I know we would agree that real social security is not about wasting money on creating the conditions for more terrorists but on help people deal with their problems and make a life for themselves where they are less likely to feel lost and insignificant and to prey on weaker members of society.

Your idea of community meetings also makes sense, as we need to be more informed of the actual conditions and not be inflamed by the media and ‘get-tough’ politicians. We don’t want a police state, but we should be aware if there are people we don’t know spending too much time in our neighbourhoods. One of the reasons I have felt my children are fairly safe in Tokyo is, ironically, that there are so many people and the houses are all so close together. Without much effort, we can see and hear everything around us. In fact, most of the incidents of children disappearing occur in the suburbs and rural areas. Still I never let my children go to the park alone, though many parents here do. I know that chances of something happening are very low, but I can’t help worrying.

]]> By: Potter http://www.radioopensource.org/the-day-after-prison/#comment-73754 Potter Wed, 03 May 2006 17:39:36 +0000 http://www.radioopensource.org/?p=513#comment-73754 <b>Sidewalker</b>: Thanks for allowing me this soapbox. Are sex offenders that have been caught and have done time more or less dangerous than those who have not been caught? Your quote says that <i>“It is estimated that less than 10% of all sex crimes result in a criminal conviction. This means that there are many sex offenders in our communities who have not yet been identified.</i> The other stats ( that I was aware of) are equally interesting. Most sex crimes are done by family members. So the question is not only how do we know who will re-offend but how do you protect your children from any potential danger out there? There is perhaps much to be anxious about. Is that anxiety all focused on the person in your community ( I don’t mean you particularly Sidewalker) who has served their time and gone through a program and is now out trying to make a new life? ( What about the offender who lives, registered, in another community but can travel to yours?) There are programs in prison that sex-offenders go through I believe it's not mandatory- but it may be, it should be. Certainly there should be incentive that post prison life would be easier. Post prison life should be made easier for those who have undergone therapy. This is like an AA program. I am not clear about the particulars but our friend went through it and learned a lot about himself. He turned himself around as much as he could possibly in a prison atmosphere (which is a tough place for a sex offender to be btw because they are low on the totem pole; picked on by the others). Once out after five years of having to deal with all sorts of things in prison he did not want to talk about, and how he kept himself together, he needed a chance to show he could be responsible. He needed this for HIMSELF- to believe in himself most of all. He is a decent guy other than that business. So if everyone around him in his life after prison is convinced and acting like that he is going to re-offend this is quite an obstacle to this next stage in rehabilitation. The stats show that those who go through this program in prison have a very low recidivism rate. Programs/therapy need to be available, perhaps mandatory after prison. Society should pay for it as they pay for prison. After a period of probation/ post prison follow-up therapy, there should not be a registry that follows a person to the end of his days. A traffic offense should not land him back in prison. Perhaps there are advances on the practitioner side but are communities using these tools to assess the real risks of each individual? Or are they mindlessly classifying everyone in the worst category to be “safe�? Our friend had to hire a lawyer and beg for funds from friends to have a hearing to change his category. Your category makes a big difference in your life, the difference between having you face plastered on posters or not. On the other end, if there is fear in a community in which a newly released person resides this should be addressed in one way or another (informational meetings with professionals ) but not by receiving political pandering to augment one’s fears. No one can really protect our kids 100%. Once, long ago, a child in the neighboring town went for a walk and never came back. These incidents, though shocking, are rare. Do we keep our kids locked up? My own feeling is that there is danger out there not only from sex offenders ( those who have served, and those, apparently the majority, who have not been caught, potential first offenders) and potential non-sexual crimes as well as repeat offenders of non-sexual crimes ( uncategorized, unregistered). It’s those who have committed sexual crimes that have paid for it that are bearing the brunt of all the societal angst . And it’s not in anyone’s interest. Sidewalker: Thanks for allowing me this soapbox.

Are sex offenders that have been caught and have done time more or less dangerous than those who have not been caught?

Your quote says that “It is estimated that less than 10% of all sex crimes result in a criminal conviction. This means that there are many sex offenders in our communities who have not yet been identified.

The other stats ( that I was aware of) are equally interesting. Most sex crimes are done by family members.

So the question is not only how do we know who will re-offend but how do you protect your children from any potential danger out there? There is perhaps much to be anxious about. Is that anxiety all focused on the person in your community ( I don’t mean you particularly Sidewalker) who has served their time and gone through a program and is now out trying to make a new life? ( What about the offender who lives, registered, in another community but can travel to yours?)

There are programs in prison that sex-offenders go through I believe it’s not mandatory- but it may be, it should be. Certainly there should be incentive that post prison life would be easier. Post prison life should be made easier for those who have undergone therapy. This is like an AA program. I am not clear about the particulars but our friend went through it and learned a lot about himself. He turned himself around as much as he could possibly in a prison atmosphere (which is a tough place for a sex offender to be btw because they are low on the totem pole; picked on by the others). Once out after five years of having to deal with all sorts of things in prison he did not want to talk about, and how he kept himself together, he needed a chance to show he could be responsible. He needed this for HIMSELF- to believe in himself most of all. He is a decent guy other than that business. So if everyone around him in his life after prison is convinced and acting like that he is going to re-offend this is quite an obstacle to this next stage in rehabilitation.

The stats show that those who go through this program in prison have a very low recidivism rate.

Programs/therapy need to be available, perhaps mandatory after prison. Society should pay for it as they pay for prison. After a period of probation/ post prison follow-up therapy, there should not be a registry that follows a person to the end of his days. A traffic offense should not land him back in prison.

Perhaps there are advances on the practitioner side but are communities using these tools to assess the real risks of each individual? Or are they mindlessly classifying everyone in the worst category to be “safe�? Our friend had to hire a lawyer and beg for funds from friends to have a hearing to change his category. Your category makes a big difference in your life, the difference between having you face plastered on posters or not.

On the other end, if there is fear in a community in which a newly released person resides this should be addressed in one way or another (informational meetings with professionals ) but not by receiving political pandering to augment one’s fears. No one can really protect our kids 100%. Once, long ago, a child in the neighboring town went for a walk and never came back. These incidents, though shocking, are rare. Do we keep our kids locked up?

My own feeling is that there is danger out there not only from sex offenders ( those who have served, and those, apparently the majority, who have not been caught, potential first offenders) and potential non-sexual crimes as well as repeat offenders of non-sexual crimes ( uncategorized, unregistered). It’s those who have committed sexual crimes that have paid for it that are bearing the brunt of all the societal angst . And it’s not in anyone’s interest.

]]> By: sidewalker http://www.radioopensource.org/the-day-after-prison/#comment-73753 sidewalker Wed, 03 May 2006 01:27:49 +0000 http://www.radioopensource.org/?p=513#comment-73753 Potter and Peter, I have mixed feelings about the crime of child molestation. When I hear about offenders being let out of prison, especially when they have not received proper councelling, I am inclined to support a public registery, and if a know offender was living in my neighbourhood, since I have young children, I can't say I would just quietly accept it. Of course, what is published in the press is often inaccurate, as the information below suggests. But how should we deal with high-risk pedophiles and repeat sex offenders? Should we use a colour-coded warning system, like that for terrorist threat, based on the risk assessment mentioned below, so that not all offenders face the same treatment by an angry and fearful public? Please help me better understand this social problem. <i>Don't most sex offenders reoffend? There is a perception that the vast majority of sex offenders will repeat their crimes. Research studies by the US Dept. of Justice and the Canadian Government have found, however, that sexual offense recidivism rates are much lower than commonly believed, averaging between 14 and 20% over 5-year follow-up periods. Studies that have tracked sex offenders over longer follow-up periods have found that pedophiles who molest boys, and rapists of adult women, were the types of offenders most likely to recidivate at rates of 52% and 39% respectively. Repeat offenders are more likely to reoffend than first-time offenders. Those who comply with probation and treatment have lower reoffense rates that those who violate the conditions of their release. Sex offenders who target strangers are more dangerous than those with victims inside their own family It is also important to recognize that official recidivism statistics are always lower than actual reoffense rates, because some sex offenders commit many sex crimes that go unreported and undetected. It is estimated that less than 10% of all sex crimes result in a criminal conviction. This means that there are many sex offenders in our communities who have not yet been identified. Although extensive media attention is paid to child abductions, such cases occur relatively rarely, and less than 1% of sex crimes involve murder. Despite myths of stranger danger, the vast majority of sexually abused children (80-90%) are molested by family members and close friends or acquaintances. How do we know who will reoffend? Progress has been made in the science of risk assessment, which allows us to determine the likelihood that a sex offender will commit a new sex crime in the future. Although we cannot predict with certainty that any particular offender will act in a specific way, we can estimate, with moderate accuracy, whether or not an offender belongs to a high- or low-risk group. Using risk factors that have been correlated with recidivism, qualified practitioners can use scientific risk assessment tools to screen offenders into risk categories. </i> http://www.atsa.com/ppOffenderFacts.html If the above is accurate, then Potter and Peter, I have mixed feelings about the crime of child molestation. When I hear about offenders being let out of prison, especially when they have not received proper councelling, I am inclined to support a public registery, and if a know offender was living in my neighbourhood, since I have young children, I can’t say I would just quietly accept it. Of course, what is published in the press is often inaccurate, as the information below suggests. But how should we deal with high-risk pedophiles and repeat sex offenders? Should we use a colour-coded warning system, like that for terrorist threat, based on the risk assessment mentioned below, so that not all offenders face the same treatment by an angry and fearful public?

Please help me better understand this social problem.

Don’t most sex offenders reoffend?

There is a perception that the vast majority of sex offenders will repeat their crimes. Research studies by the US Dept. of Justice and the Canadian Government have found, however, that sexual offense recidivism rates are much lower than commonly believed, averaging between 14 and 20% over 5-year follow-up periods. Studies that have tracked sex offenders over longer follow-up periods have found that pedophiles who molest boys, and rapists of adult women, were the types of offenders most likely to recidivate at rates of 52% and 39% respectively. Repeat offenders are more likely to reoffend than first-time offenders. Those who comply with probation and treatment have lower reoffense rates that those who violate the conditions of their release. Sex offenders who target strangers are more dangerous than those with victims inside their own family

It is also important to recognize that official recidivism statistics are always lower than actual reoffense rates, because some sex offenders commit many sex crimes that go unreported and undetected. It is estimated that less than 10% of all sex crimes result in a criminal conviction. This means that there are many sex offenders in our communities who have not yet been identified.

Although extensive media attention is paid to child abductions, such cases occur relatively rarely, and less than 1% of sex crimes involve murder. Despite myths of stranger danger, the vast majority of sexually abused children (80-90%) are molested by family members and close friends or acquaintances.

How do we know who will reoffend?

Progress has been made in the science of risk assessment, which allows us to determine the likelihood that a sex offender will commit a new sex crime in the future. Although we cannot predict with certainty that any particular offender will act in a specific way, we can estimate, with moderate accuracy, whether or not an offender belongs to a high- or low-risk group. Using risk factors that have been correlated with recidivism, qualified practitioners can use scientific risk assessment tools to screen offenders into risk categories.

http://www.atsa.com/ppOffenderFacts.html

If the above is accurate, then

]]> By: Potter http://www.radioopensource.org/the-day-after-prison/#comment-73752 Potter Tue, 02 May 2006 20:56:11 +0000 http://www.radioopensource.org/?p=513#comment-73752 This is such a sad story from Maine: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/04/17/national/main1501271.shtml Yet they will not change the registry. http://www.officer.com/article/article.jsp?siteSection=1&id=30018 This is such a sad story from Maine:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/04/17/national/main1501271.shtml

Yet they will not change the registry.

http://www.officer.com/article/article.jsp?siteSection=1&id=30018

]]> By: Potter http://www.radioopensource.org/the-day-after-prison/#comment-73751 Potter Tue, 02 May 2006 20:49:06 +0000 http://www.radioopensource.org/?p=513#comment-73751 Peter, I know the story of our friend here which sounds similar to yours. He's a decent person, served his time ( 5 years) for a first time offense. We thought it was not only outrageous how the punishment continued beyond prison but counter-productive for society as a whole. If folks such as yourself are not helped to get back onto your feet and feel a sense of worth to be able to build a life beyond all that is hopefully past, then depression sets in and there you have the vicious cycle. It's so elementary as to make me feel that there must be ignorance and unenlightened selfishness at work. So I agree that this is a very worthy topic for elaboration. I am really irked by the political aspect of this issue. Our local hacks use this issue to assure the pumped up fearful publict hat they are protecting them against dangerous people out there. Mindlessly classifying those who have served their time for a sexual offense may soothe (or falsely soothe) the public but it does real damage to the person so classified. It puts a ball a chain on them when they need a hand up. it also makes offenders vulnerable to vigilante /lynch crimes. There is a story of that recently in Maine. Peter, I know the story of our friend here which sounds similar to yours. He’s a decent person, served his time ( 5 years) for a first time offense. We thought it was not only outrageous how the punishment continued beyond prison but counter-productive for society as a whole. If folks such as yourself are not helped to get back onto your feet and feel a sense of worth to be able to build a life beyond all that is hopefully past, then depression sets in and there you have the vicious cycle. It’s so elementary as to make me feel that there must be ignorance and unenlightened selfishness at work. So I agree that this is a very worthy topic for elaboration.

I am really irked by the political aspect of this issue. Our local hacks use this issue to assure the pumped up fearful publict hat they are protecting them against dangerous people out there.

Mindlessly classifying those who have served their time for a sexual offense may soothe (or falsely soothe) the public but it does real damage to the person so classified. It puts a ball a chain on them when they need a hand up. it also makes offenders vulnerable to vigilante /lynch crimes. There is a story of that recently in Maine.

]]> By: Peter Schulte http://www.radioopensource.org/the-day-after-prison/#comment-73750 Peter Schulte Tue, 02 May 2006 17:44:20 +0000 http://www.radioopensource.org/?p=513#comment-73750 Hello, Potter and all, Thank you for your encouragement. It seems like Wahington State has a very well-designed set of programs for returning inmates to society. There are many well-meaning and reasonable folks working for the State, BUT . . . ! I wish that Open Source could do a show on sex offenders under supervision here, many first time offenders like me, who suffer(ed) abuses that are unconscionable. Before one of my incarcerations under supervision, my "therapist" said to call her, then she refused to take my calls. My public defender showed the phone records in Court. This caused the DOC to withdraw some of their other made-up probation violations. One of my friends won an isssue in Court, but the DOC ignored the Judge's finding. During my experience in "therapy" I was afraid to complain to the State QA agency for phsychologists because I know that any opposition earns retaliation. With the help of people like Potter, and dedicated Christians and Buddhists, I've been able to move on with my life. I want to leave it all behind, yet I would welcome a phone call from Open Source to bring these abuses into the public forum and spare my friends who are yet to leave prison. By the way, Open Source is my favorite program and I listen to it four or five nights a week, then discuss topics with my friends. This program caused me to update my podcasts from Open Source and I'm looking forward to them! Thanks! Peter Hello, Potter and all,

Thank you for your encouragement. It seems like Wahington State has a very well-designed set of programs for returning inmates to society. There are many well-meaning and reasonable folks working for the State, BUT . . . ! I wish that Open Source could do a show on sex offenders under supervision here, many first time offenders like me, who suffer(ed) abuses that are unconscionable.

Before one of my incarcerations under supervision, my “therapist” said to call her, then she refused to take my calls. My public defender showed the phone records in Court. This caused the DOC to withdraw some of their other made-up probation violations. One of my friends won an isssue in Court, but the DOC ignored the Judge’s finding. During my experience in “therapy” I was afraid to complain to the State QA agency for phsychologists because I know that any opposition earns retaliation.

With the help of people like Potter, and dedicated Christians and Buddhists, I’ve been able to move on with my life. I want to leave it all behind, yet I would welcome a phone call from Open Source to bring these abuses into the public forum and spare my friends who are yet to leave prison.

By the way, Open Source is my favorite program and I listen to it four or five nights a week, then discuss topics with my friends. This program caused me to update my podcasts from Open Source and I’m looking forward to them! Thanks!

Peter

]]> By: scott clancy http://www.radioopensource.org/the-day-after-prison/#comment-73749 scott clancy Tue, 02 May 2006 15:11:18 +0000 http://www.radioopensource.org/?p=513#comment-73749 As a former inmate out for just over one year, I am amazed at how polyanna everyone seems to be about re-entry. The reality is that there are few programs and they are overwhelmed. There is almost no serious pre release planning or preparation, and no one lets the inmates know or understand just how crucial this planning is. Successful re-entry means first and foremost re-establishing trust with those that care for you. Then the next most important thing is a sustainable job. (And talk about exploitation: employers seem to feel that if they give you a chance they can get away with just about any demand) Housing and community ties are also crucial to success. If, as I believe, serving a sentence for a crime is punishment enough, then we all need to work for a system of help, education and training that makes re-entry possible. Not just another part of the criminal punishment system. thanks As a former inmate out for just over one year, I am amazed at how polyanna everyone seems to be about re-entry. The reality is that there are few programs and they are overwhelmed. There is almost no serious pre release planning or preparation, and no one lets the inmates know or understand just how crucial this planning is.

Successful re-entry means first and foremost re-establishing trust with those that care for you. Then the next most important thing is a sustainable job. (And talk about exploitation: employers seem to feel that if they give you a chance they can get away with just about any demand) Housing and community ties are also crucial to success.

If, as I believe, serving a sentence for a crime is punishment enough, then we all need to work for a system of help, education and training that makes re-entry possible. Not just another part of the criminal punishment system.

thanks

]]> By: MsMaryMac http://www.radioopensource.org/the-day-after-prison/#comment-73748 MsMaryMac Tue, 02 May 2006 02:02:44 +0000 http://www.radioopensource.org/?p=513#comment-73748 "S/he who opens a school door, closes a prison." Author: Victor Hugo In NYC there are two programs that work with ex-offenders to help get them into college and support them while in college and graduate school. One is run by Episcopal Social Services and the one I am involved with, College and Community Fellowship, is housed at the Graduate Center of City Univ of NY. The CCF program is 6 years old and works with about 45 students per year, and none of our students have returned to prison. College makes incredible differences in the lives of these individuals, Helps make them very employable, and allows them to hold their heads high, thinking of themselves as students getting on with their lives, and gives them respect in their families and communities. We help students get into colleges, give small stipends per year, offer academic and mentoring support, and peer support. Our website is http://www.collegeandcommunity.org/ The College and Community Fellowship MISSION The mission of the College and Community Fellowship (CCF) is to eliminate the individual and social barriers to education and civic participation of formerly incarcerated men and women and their families. Through our myriad activities and programs, CCF addresses the educational, economic, and political needs of formerly incarcerated women and men in the NY metropolitan area, working in concert with other organizations to enhance their successful re-entry. CCF AIMS TO: Strengthen and expand our educational program, including mentoring, tuition support, and academic support of formerly incarcerated men and women; Address the expanding career development needs of our fellows, alumni, and other formerly incarcerated people who are seeking employment that is congruent with their levels of education; Link with local, state, and federal reentry agencies and criminal justice organizations to explore the development of a local and national agenda promoting education as an alternative in and after prison; Develop the leadership of CCF fellows as part of local and national criminal justice reform organizations, coalitions, and networks. For more info, go to: http://www.collegeandcommunity.org/ “S/he who opens a school door, closes a prison.” Author: Victor Hugo

In NYC there are two programs that work with ex-offenders to help get them into college and support them while in college and graduate school. One is run by Episcopal Social Services and the one I am involved with, College and Community Fellowship, is housed at the Graduate Center of City Univ of NY. The CCF program is 6 years old and works with about 45 students per year, and none of our students have returned to prison.

College makes incredible differences in the lives of these individuals, Helps make them very employable, and allows them to hold their heads high, thinking of themselves as students getting on with their lives, and gives them respect in their families and communities.

We help students get into colleges, give small stipends per year, offer academic and mentoring support, and peer support.

Our website is http://www.collegeandcommunity.org/

The College and Community Fellowship MISSION

The mission of the College and Community Fellowship (CCF) is to eliminate the individual and social barriers to education and civic participation of formerly incarcerated men and women and their families.

Through our myriad activities and programs, CCF addresses the educational, economic, and political needs of formerly incarcerated women and men in the NY metropolitan area, working in concert with other organizations to enhance their successful re-entry.

CCF AIMS TO:

Strengthen and expand our educational program, including mentoring, tuition support, and academic support of formerly incarcerated men and women;

Address the expanding career development needs of our fellows, alumni, and other formerly incarcerated people who are seeking employment that is congruent with their levels of education;

Link with local, state, and federal reentry agencies and criminal justice organizations to explore the development of a local and national agenda promoting education as an alternative in and after prison;

Develop the leadership of CCF fellows as part of local and national criminal justice reform organizations, coalitions, and networks.

For more info, go to: http://www.collegeandcommunity.org/

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