As a frequent and unwilling 3rd party guest of the judicial system, there are a few changes I would like made.
I would like it to be as much about rehabilitation as it is about punishment. I would like more re entry programs for offenders and their families.
Since my husband served his full time, when he was last released, there was no re entry program or additional support for him when he came home. We managed, but it tough. We made a lot of decisions that in hind sight were rash and premature because of our desire to get going in life. We had been trapped in limbo for so long that we were in a big hurry. I wonder if some of the decisions we made played a part in where we are today. We may never know.
If I was given a wishing star that allowed me to design a program to deal with offenders this is what I would create. First off, my goal would be the long term success of each inmate and family members. I would want people to successfully complete the program and know that they would go on to do wonderful things. Can you imagine going to prison or being labeled a sex offender and coming out on the other side feeling more blessed than when you got into trouble?
So you are done with the trial and court proceedings. The judge is determining the sentence. Step one lets get a sentencing consultant involved. Have them interview the defendant and their family. Find out what they think their weaknesses and strengths are. What are the contributing factors to the crime. Help the judge come up with a sentence that fits the crime, but doesn't go over board on the punishment.
I think I would do a brain scan (spect scan to be exact) and have a specialist look at the results to determine if there is an underlying physical reason for the actions. Do they have low activity in the prefrontal cortex? Do they have an over active limbic region on the brain? Are there medications that can help normalize these areas? (Google Daniel G Amen, Change your brain, Change your life. I controversial but I think definitely he is on the right track). What if the solution is as simple as correcting brain chemistry and behavioral therapy. Sort of like if your bone is broken, you reset it and then strength it with physical therapy. While I know that is rather simplistic...maybe in some cases it is that simple.
Depending on the length on the sentence and recommendations of the sentencing consultant, would determine the type of programs that would be requested that you participate in. You have a choice. If you don't want to participate in programs, then don't. Its a free will program.
Together the sentencing consultant, defendant and family would meet and discuss what the outcomes/ goals are and how best to achieve them. I would offer standard classes on drug and alcohol addiction, as well as offer family therapy. I would do victim impact classes and have offenders think about impact their actions have had on others and themselves.
Yearly, an intense workshop based on Anthony Robbins...seminars would be held. Family and defendants would be invited to attend. The goal would be to help them to focus on the developing their own personal power.
I would have a financial planning program that is similar to Dave Ramsey's financial university program, but it would be tailored to addressing concerns most prevalent to those who are incarcerated or those who have a loved one who is incarcerated.
Upon release I would create a safety net. Each person who is leaving doc would be given several sponsors or coaches. The goal would be that they have someone who is doing well and can guide and give advice to ex inmates and their families. They would work with the inmate planning the discharge 1 year prior to leaving. Getting them to think and plan for the future. They would give them a sounding board that hopefully would help reduce the incidence of rash decisions that are made.
For sex offenders in CT, there isn't much support even in the way of half way houses because it's considered a violent crime. I am not sure I like half way houses to begin with, because I really think family needs to be more involved when possible. Still just the fact, that they don't have half way houses for sex offenders is just one more flaw in the re entry program.
I would have housing available to offenders and their families if they needed it. Housing is an issue for sex offenders and their families because of the restrictions most states have on where they can live, who can live with them. It doesn't have to be free housing, just housing that is available should they need it. Housing where they can feel safe and the community can feel safe as well. I would set up housing out in the country and then offer transportation to the suburbs for necessities and work until they were on their feet again.
I would loosen up the restrictions for what sex offenders can do with their families. I think they need to be able to go to the park with their children, if they have children. I think they need to be able to go to school functions with their child. We are creating more problems in the long run by isolating the children of sex offenders because we make it so difficult for them to be a parent. Supervise these social events if the community feels its necessary, but stop the isolation.
I would make sure there are offender self support groups similar to AA and NA. The first 2-3 years seem to be the most critical. Perhaps there should be more support for ex prisoners during this time period, but not with the critical eye that is you mess up you are going back to prison that you get with probation or parole. The idea is to get people to make positive choices for positive reasons, not just because they are avoiding fear, unless of course that is the only way they can motivate themselves.
I would want ex prisoners and their families to see a counselor who can monitor behaviors and thinking that might be leading them back in a direction that they really would like to avoid. While it doesn't have to be free, it would be helpful if we could devise creative ways to make it accessible to people without them breaking the bank.
I think if things are free, people take them for granted. Everything has a price to pay, but it doesn't always have to be in the form of money.
What I have described is something of what I would like to begin working for. A sex offender prevention and treatment program designed by people who are not working for the criminal justice system, but whose interest is in making society a better place in general. People who passionately want to see their loved ones succeed and those they love to be safe as well. I think a program that is designed by sex offenders and their families along with incorporating universal laws and truths would be more effective than any government run program ever will be.
I hope if there is anyone who reads this who believes that change is possible for offenders and who would like to join forces, I hope you will make contact. " United we stand, divided we fall"
I would like it to be as much about rehabilitation as it is about punishment. I would like more re entry programs for offenders and their families.
Since my husband served his full time, when he was last released, there was no re entry program or additional support for him when he came home. We managed, but it tough. We made a lot of decisions that in hind sight were rash and premature because of our desire to get going in life. We had been trapped in limbo for so long that we were in a big hurry. I wonder if some of the decisions we made played a part in where we are today. We may never know.
If I was given a wishing star that allowed me to design a program to deal with offenders this is what I would create. First off, my goal would be the long term success of each inmate and family members. I would want people to successfully complete the program and know that they would go on to do wonderful things. Can you imagine going to prison or being labeled a sex offender and coming out on the other side feeling more blessed than when you got into trouble?
So you are done with the trial and court proceedings. The judge is determining the sentence. Step one lets get a sentencing consultant involved. Have them interview the defendant and their family. Find out what they think their weaknesses and strengths are. What are the contributing factors to the crime. Help the judge come up with a sentence that fits the crime, but doesn't go over board on the punishment.
I think I would do a brain scan (spect scan to be exact) and have a specialist look at the results to determine if there is an underlying physical reason for the actions. Do they have low activity in the prefrontal cortex? Do they have an over active limbic region on the brain? Are there medications that can help normalize these areas? (Google Daniel G Amen, Change your brain, Change your life. I controversial but I think definitely he is on the right track). What if the solution is as simple as correcting brain chemistry and behavioral therapy. Sort of like if your bone is broken, you reset it and then strength it with physical therapy. While I know that is rather simplistic...maybe in some cases it is that simple.
Depending on the length on the sentence and recommendations of the sentencing consultant, would determine the type of programs that would be requested that you participate in. You have a choice. If you don't want to participate in programs, then don't. Its a free will program.
Together the sentencing consultant, defendant and family would meet and discuss what the outcomes/ goals are and how best to achieve them. I would offer standard classes on drug and alcohol addiction, as well as offer family therapy. I would do victim impact classes and have offenders think about impact their actions have had on others and themselves.
Yearly, an intense workshop based on Anthony Robbins...seminars would be held. Family and defendants would be invited to attend. The goal would be to help them to focus on the developing their own personal power.
I would have a financial planning program that is similar to Dave Ramsey's financial university program, but it would be tailored to addressing concerns most prevalent to those who are incarcerated or those who have a loved one who is incarcerated.
Upon release I would create a safety net. Each person who is leaving doc would be given several sponsors or coaches. The goal would be that they have someone who is doing well and can guide and give advice to ex inmates and their families. They would work with the inmate planning the discharge 1 year prior to leaving. Getting them to think and plan for the future. They would give them a sounding board that hopefully would help reduce the incidence of rash decisions that are made.
For sex offenders in CT, there isn't much support even in the way of half way houses because it's considered a violent crime. I am not sure I like half way houses to begin with, because I really think family needs to be more involved when possible. Still just the fact, that they don't have half way houses for sex offenders is just one more flaw in the re entry program.
I would have housing available to offenders and their families if they needed it. Housing is an issue for sex offenders and their families because of the restrictions most states have on where they can live, who can live with them. It doesn't have to be free housing, just housing that is available should they need it. Housing where they can feel safe and the community can feel safe as well. I would set up housing out in the country and then offer transportation to the suburbs for necessities and work until they were on their feet again.
I would loosen up the restrictions for what sex offenders can do with their families. I think they need to be able to go to the park with their children, if they have children. I think they need to be able to go to school functions with their child. We are creating more problems in the long run by isolating the children of sex offenders because we make it so difficult for them to be a parent. Supervise these social events if the community feels its necessary, but stop the isolation.
I would make sure there are offender self support groups similar to AA and NA. The first 2-3 years seem to be the most critical. Perhaps there should be more support for ex prisoners during this time period, but not with the critical eye that is you mess up you are going back to prison that you get with probation or parole. The idea is to get people to make positive choices for positive reasons, not just because they are avoiding fear, unless of course that is the only way they can motivate themselves.
I would want ex prisoners and their families to see a counselor who can monitor behaviors and thinking that might be leading them back in a direction that they really would like to avoid. While it doesn't have to be free, it would be helpful if we could devise creative ways to make it accessible to people without them breaking the bank.
I think if things are free, people take them for granted. Everything has a price to pay, but it doesn't always have to be in the form of money.
What I have described is something of what I would like to begin working for. A sex offender prevention and treatment program designed by people who are not working for the criminal justice system, but whose interest is in making society a better place in general. People who passionately want to see their loved ones succeed and those they love to be safe as well. I think a program that is designed by sex offenders and their families along with incorporating universal laws and truths would be more effective than any government run program ever will be.
I hope if there is anyone who reads this who believes that change is possible for offenders and who would like to join forces, I hope you will make contact. " United we stand, divided we fall"
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