OPINION: Private Partnerships
Feel free to go to the Gazette article and post your comments. The frightening part is that I think that they actually believe this.
The Gazette
Partnership prisons help state
I, along with co-workers and respected researchers in corrections, read with dismay the flawed arguments in The Gazette’s Sept. 21 Our View, “Profit prisons die in recession.” The Gazette has surprisingly taken a very ill-informed stance on the important topic of corrections partnerships.
We are in full partnership with Colorado government. We operate prisons on behalf of the state, and these prisons function exactly as a government-run prison. We humanely house inmates in a secure setting. We offer addictions treatment, education, vocational training and faith-based courses, so inmates can get on the right path. Studies show that rehabilitation lessens the likelihood of inmates returning to crime when they are released.
Partnership prisons provide the best of both worlds — the oversight and accountability from government with the cost effectiveness and innovation of business. The standards for operating any prison are high. For those of us who work for partnership prisons, we expect to be held to an even higher standard. And we deliver on this, every day.
Plus, we are making the tax dollars of hard-working Coloradans stretch further. We all agree that, especially in these economic times, taxpayers deserve the most efficient government possible.
Our partnership prisons also relieve the overcrowded — and, thus, unsafe — conditions in government-run prisons. Overcrowding leads to agitated inmates, overworked staff and fewer opportunities for inmate rehabilitation. By having Colorado partner with business to build and operate prisons to relieve overcrowding, the entire state correctional system is safer, which means all communities are safer.
So, government isn’t “subsidizing” partnership prisons, as the editorial claims. This is not an “us” versus “them” issue. We are in partnership together — government and business. Government pays us, just like it pays its own wardens and correctional employees. But partnership prisons are highly efficient and innovative, while also being secure and accountable.
As for correctional providers wanting more crime and more criminals, that is nonsense. We live in communities, just like you. We want our families safe from crime, like everyone else. We aren’t here to make or give opinions about public policy, such as early release of inmates. But we do know that our partnership prisons, with our nearly 1,000 dedicated Colorado employees, provide meaningful rehabilitation and are an important part of the Colorado correctional system.
Louise Grant
Vice president
Marketing and communications
Corrections Corporation of America
Nashville, Tenn.
4 comments:
Louise Grant may be able to pull the wool over the people's eyes who have NOT had any experience with for-profit prisons. She most certainly is unable to convince any of us who have first-hand knowledge concerning the CORPORATION to know what the real agenda to the CORPORATION is. As with any CORPORATION, it's money. Filled bed spaces mean $$$. Over and out.
I, among many others with loved ones in their bloated incarceration insanity, will watch vigilantly to see if they apply fairness to the paroles. CCA is particularly loathe to release good inmates to parole. It would mean empty beds and less money. Rehabilitation is a joke, Ms. Grant. One less inmate means one more bed to fill. Add it up. It's difficult or impossible to rehabilitate when gangs are permitted in those 'correctional' facilities and it's fight or die. Those 'correctional' facilities are a haven for gang activity. Sadly, these facilities KNOW it and punish the inmates trying to improve along with the perpetrators. Punish NOT rehabilitate!
Correctional providers DO want more inmates. It's their bread and butter. How could anyone believe otherwise knowing it's a for-profit CORPORATION?
Politicians and the courtrooms have all been advocates to excessive and frivolous prison sentences to fuel the profitable prison industry. There are lots of questionable employees and actions in law, including judges.
Lately, there is an alarming shortage of GOOD caseworkers. These caseworkers are expected to keep watch over each inmate. This gives each inmate a better chance at parole. Instead, CCA has caseworkers that are apathetic and sometimes simply lazy in regards to the welfare of the work that needs to be done and the welfare of inmates and their families.
I read the Gazette article and the comments. People need to be made aware of the corporate practices done in place of highly trained professionals at state facilities. Danger lurks.
Also, public safety doesn't fit in when factually wrongful convictions remain intact without any conscience or honor by the prosecution, judges and comedic appeals courts in league with the judges. The real criminals are free to threaten society. Tell that to the public!!!
Timothy Masters is one among so many in Colorado. Todd Newmiller is another. This judge was fully aware of the unconstitutional, devious behaviors in Todd's case, yet remains uncaring. Any conviction is a win for the prosecution and the judge. It doesn't matter if it's knowingly false. It's another 'felon' added to the bloated, barbaric judicial system in Colorado. MORE MONEY FOR CCA & CORNELL'S CORPORATE MONEY MACHINE. Inmates for profit! Commodities.
Imagine the years of your life behind barbed wire and bars for something you didn't do and the very system you should be able to trust shatters that faith. No amount of apologies or money can bring those years back.
Prosecutors and judges refuse to admit error because it doesn't reflect well on their personal egotistical reputations.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Ms Grant you truely have a silver toungue but I have to wonder what truely motivates you to represent such an organization. the staff in these facilties are not trained professionals. apartently there is a hudge profit being made because these facilties are popping up quicker than wal mart. How can an individual/corporation justify subcontracting inmates. where is the ethics?
Anonymous #1 you have it right. I would like to see a lawsuit challenging all those like Ms Grant for engaging in slavery. Colorado does not follow there own state constitution. It states that they cannot use people for profit. Not even inmates, there people also. Slavery is a very serious offense and would carry a very stiff penalty. A penalty that couldnt be bought off with money. djw
Regarding post #1; Judicial ethics is definitely a subject that need close review by a chosen public volunteer board. Jim Webb needs to be addressing this issue. Judges have are greedily spending years of peoples lives. Jim Webb and FAMM need to team up. Regarding Ms. Webb, her title is V.P of Marketing, that says it all.
Post a Comment