FREEING PRISON IDEAS

When thinking about society, either as we would like to see it or as
it currently operates, there is a tendency to dismiss entire segments
of the population. Perhaps this is because of the discomfort we feel
when trying to fit these groups into a patriotic grand narrative or
because our privilege allows us to develop and maintain tunnel vision
to a certain extent.

Whatever the explanation, the fact is we engage in a process of
dehumanization and "othering," which makes it comfortable to neglect
and dismiss. This is perhaps most noticeable with regard to the
prison population and youth offenders.

Behind the empty rhetoric of rehabilitation and re-integration, there
is an attitude shared by the general population and policymakers that
the way to address the situation is to be tough on crime, make sure
criminals are kept behind bars and let prison guards and officials
worry about the mess.

Although it is convenient to simply jettison this population from our
purview, however, it remains a part of our society and should be
given more than an afterthought. If rehabilitation is to retain any
meaning, it is necessary to move away from the predominant way of thinking.

The outright social rejection of the prison population surely plays
some role in reinforcing the attitudes perpetuated by the prison
culture, a culture that offers little hope to those within prison
walls. Given few alternatives, it should not surprise any of us that
former inmates often gravitate back toward criminal ways almost as a
mechanism of survival. Also, the notion those who end up in prison
are born with a natural predisposition toward criminality is not only
an outdated mode of analysis - it is also dangerous. Societal factors
and deprivation must be taken into account when analyzing criminal behavior.

It is necessary to adopt an approach that understands the need to
re-configure the prison system in a way that is just and also strives
toward the stated goals of rehabilitation and re-integration. An
essential step toward achieving a different understanding is
recognition of the gravity of the situation.

According to The Sentencing Project, "The United States is the
world's leader in incarceration with 2.1 million people currently in
the nation's prisons or jails." A new study released by the Pew
Charitable Trusts predicts the prison population in the U.S. will
increase by 13 percent throughout the next five years. The study
estimates new operating and construction expenses will cost nearly
$27.5 billion. Tough sentencing laws such as mandatory minimum
sentences and denial of parole, rather than increasing crime rates,
are cited by the Pew study as factors contributing to the expected
population increase. Also, Pew mentioned that in some states, there
was a high rate of repeat offenders.

In addition to just sheer numbers, the voter disenfranchisement of
people with felony convictions, the racially disproportionate impact
of the criminal justice system on minorities, harsh sentences toward
low-level drug offenders and the sentencing disparity with regard to
cocaine and its freebase form, crack, are all issues that must be considered.

Fortunately, there are some local examples that can be drawn upon as
positive examples of how to move forward. As reported by WOSU 820
radio, the local National Public Radio affiliate, the Ohio Department
of Youth Services has implemented programs and other initiatives to
reduce the rate of youth offender recidivism. For example, DYS has
placed an added emphasis on aftercare release programs.

Aftercare involves community volunteers and family members in the
re-entry process for youth offenders. Other programs promote
improving communication, skill-building, non-violent resolution to
conflict, resisting peer pressure and the value of education, among
other things. Programs such as this should be implemented on a
national scale and not just for youth offenders.

The prison population and the criminal justice system must become
part of the mainstream political discourse or the United States will
continue to be the nation of incarceration.

Rajeev Ravisankar is a recent OSU graduate with a degree in
international studies and political science.