Who is the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition?

Our mission is to reverse the trend of mass incarceration in Colorado. We are a coalition of nearly 7,000 individual members and over 100 faith and community organizations who have united to stop perpetual prison expansion in Colorado through policy and sentence reform.

Our chief areas of interest include drug policy reform, women in prison, racial injustice, the impact of incarceration on children and families, the problems associated with re-entry and stopping the practice of using private prisons in our state.

If you would like to be involved please go to our website and become a member.


Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Lawmakers Want More Power Over Private Prison Rates

DENVER - The Legislature would have more flexibility in setting per diem inmate rates for private prisons under a bill introduced in the Colorado House.

Rep. Buffie McFadyen, D-Pueblo West, who introduced HB1363 with House Majority Leader Alice Madden, D-Boulder, said the bill is needed so the Colorado Department of Corrections may have more say in programs that private prisons should offer inmates to help the state reduce recidivism.

McFadyen is an outspoken critic of private prisons who often has said private prisons are in the business of housing inmates and don't care if they re-offend.

She said current practice gives private prison companies the maximum per diem rate without regard to the services they actually offer.

"The intent is we want more programmatically intense programs, especially for parole," McFadyen said. "We need to work harder making sure that we do have the programs available to reintegrate those inmates into society."

McFadyen said the bill, which is scheduled to be heard today in the House Judiciary Committee encourages private prisons to help the state reduce recidivism.

She singled out one such private prison company as Cornell, which operates the Cheyenne Mountain Re-Entry Center in Colorado Springs. Cornell specializes in programs designed to help inmates make the transition from incarnation to freedom, and it seems to be working.

McFadyen said the Legislature should reward companies such as that with a higher per diem so other private providers will see the benefit to offering similar programs.


Pueblo Chieftain

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Transition from incarnation to freedom." (??????)

Quite frankly, I look forward to the day I am discarnate. THAT is freedom.

Rep. Buffie McFadyen is the only political individual I can take tiny steps toward. The ONLY. Major trust issues shattered by severe deceit in the system.

Anonymous said...

There is no easy solution. Each inmate must take responsibility for their actions. When you are down, you will promise anything to get out, but you have to have the will to change. More evaluations that are not 20 years old in scope and subjectivity, more money for rehabilitation, and a basic change in the current cycle of prison, technical violations, and back to prison to fill the pockets of the politicians.
We have to put our foot down. Stop construction of all new prisons, public and private and make the DOC come up with more creative solutions. There are 7500 inmates that need drug rehabilitation and to be in less secure rehabiliation, but there is not the will to do it. It has worked elsewhere. Do we have the will to stop this mess?

Anonymous said...

Fire Michaud and Zavaras now. Get someone who is not a retired Denver Police chief and who knows how to rehabilitate, not count beds