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Behind Bars: What’s the goal of prison, correction or punishment?

By Brian Wood, Behind Bars Columnist - | Mar 27, 2017

During my time within the penal system, I have observed a two-party system amongst the faculty and administration.

On one side, you have those who believe the goal of the Department of Corrections is to rehabilitate and better the inmate population through education and programs. On the other side, you have those who believe our confinement and loss of freedom is the rehabilitation or corrective action referred to in their employer’s title and any help we receive is undeserved.

Many government employees don’t take an active role, but for some, there exists a constant struggle. The “pro-inmate” side will come up with a new idea to help prisoners until it gathers enough momentum and traction to get noticed. That’s when impeding rules and roadblocks start to appear or the kibosh comes in one way or another. Often it’s under the guise of security concerns, which serves as a catch-all, but other times there is no explanation given.

Working in education, I have had a front row seat to watch this cycle play out over and over in the few short years I have been here. I can’t give specific examples, but I can say, it is clear there are some people working to hinder the goals of education, as its goals are not shared by all. It is frustrating to see decisions come down that hamper our progress, but it is rewarding to work toward something I believe in.

Wins and losses tally on both sides. The LIFE program, which I wrote about a few months ago, has recently taken a big hit. The program did not technically get the axe, but that’s not how politics are played. The creators of that program had a vision for the program and shared ideals and passion that made it special, and as a result: successful. One of them has been forced to abandon the fight. He was pushed into a corner where he believed his only option was to quit the LIFE program or risk his career. The other employee has been moved to a limited role.

It has been sad to watch the wind leave his sails over the past few months. He shared the reason why he’d been given a more limited role. He reflected sadly, “What the heck am I even doing here?”

Not too long ago, before their program was taken from them, the two founders were granted an audience with the authorities in charge. They presented their plan to help prisoners transition to the outside world. They were told if they worked hard and were persistent, they could come back in 10 years and get a maybe. It sounds like they were given the middle finger.

I don’t think it is a simple as good vs. evil like most of the prison population seems to feel is the case. There are passionate and well-intentioned folks on both sides.

I’ve talked to staff members who believe they are really making a difference in molding and shaping lives in a positive way through their teaching and mentoring.

On the other hand, it’s not an uncommon sentiment to hear officers say “If it were up to me, you guys (prisoners) would be locked up 23 hours per day.” Some officers seem to believe this would help us “learn our lesson;” or they might just think we deserve more punishment. What is the goal, correction or punishment?

That’s the big debate.

Of course, I’m biased. I hope new generations will continue the more recent trend of rehabilitation over warehousing prisoners. I would compare the difference in opinions to whether or not you feel hitting your child is suitable or effective parenting. When I was growing up, it was perfectly acceptable to spank. I can’t say I suffered greatly from being on the receiving end of such punishments; however, I believe there’s a better way. Similarly, I believe there are better ways for the penal/correctional system to rehabilitate prisoners.

Brian Wood, formerly of Layton, is an inmate at the Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison. He pleaded guilty to nine felony charges for offenses from 2011 to 2014, including counts of burglary, drug possession and prescription fraud. He could spend up to 35 years in prison, depending on parole hearings.

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