Issues Concerning Offender Re-entry Programs
“Strength does not come from physical capacity, it comes from an indomitable will “- Gandhi
As a Blackman incarcerated for 30 yrs I feel I have a unique perspective to contribute to this discussions.
A big part of the problem is what is done or should I say “not being done” with inmates during incarceration. All because Illinois has divested its resources from the task of “restoring criminals to useful citizenship” and instead focuses primarily on the punitive aspect, to the exclusion of almost anything rehabilitative therefore most offenders are not reconditioned or re-socialized. Much of the criminal mentality is left intact. In prison the subculture of the gangs is prevalent, violence, and anti-social behavior is the norm. Offenders are not prepared to be or do anything except what they have habitually done, which for those who are actually guilty, is why they are in prison to begin with.
In most cases with few exceptions inmates are treated with disdain, suspicion, disrespect and are regarded as sub-human. Which in turn feeds into many, but not all, inmates behaving in socially unacceptable ways; exhibiting aggressive and self-negating behavior. There is a uniform treatment of all inmates, no allowances or exceptions are made for the ones who are “self-rehabilitating”, have taken ownership of their transgressions and are seeking to atone with society, family, and victims.
As a result when these men/women are released they are traumatized, ill-prepared to take any real advantage of the resources and programs designed to aid them in their return to our communities. Many have low self esteem, mental illness and the inability to respond appropriately to “normal” social-cues resulting in them often alienating the very people who are trying to help them. Low- self-esteem, self- negating attitudes and behaviors are characteristic of the ones who self- sabotage these re-entry efforts.
In closing, steps need to be taken to counter-act these effects, both during incarceration and after. This is why prison reform is so crucial at this time.
-Anonymous
“Strength does not come from physical capacity, it comes from an indomitable will “- Gandhi
As a Blackman incarcerated for 30 yrs I feel I have a unique perspective to contribute to this discussions.
A big part of the problem is what is done or should I say “not being done” with inmates during incarceration. All because Illinois has divested its resources from the task of “restoring criminals to useful citizenship” and instead focuses primarily on the punitive aspect, to the exclusion of almost anything rehabilitative therefore most offenders are not reconditioned or re-socialized. Much of the criminal mentality is left intact. In prison the subculture of the gangs is prevalent, violence, and anti-social behavior is the norm. Offenders are not prepared to be or do anything except what they have habitually done, which for those who are actually guilty, is why they are in prison to begin with.
In most cases with few exceptions inmates are treated with disdain, suspicion, disrespect and are regarded as sub-human. Which in turn feeds into many, but not all, inmates behaving in socially unacceptable ways; exhibiting aggressive and self-negating behavior. There is a uniform treatment of all inmates, no allowances or exceptions are made for the ones who are “self-rehabilitating”, have taken ownership of their transgressions and are seeking to atone with society, family, and victims.
As a result when these men/women are released they are traumatized, ill-prepared to take any real advantage of the resources and programs designed to aid them in their return to our communities. Many have low self esteem, mental illness and the inability to respond appropriately to “normal” social-cues resulting in them often alienating the very people who are trying to help them. Low- self-esteem, self- negating attitudes and behaviors are characteristic of the ones who self- sabotage these re-entry efforts.
In closing, steps need to be taken to counter-act these effects, both during incarceration and after. This is why prison reform is so crucial at this time.
-Anonymous