Sharron Grodzinsky Author

Part of my volunteer work is answering inmate letters. Some are funny, some are depressing, some are almost illegible and some are very professional. All say the same thing, with variations of the same theme. That theme is they want to get out, take care of their families and live an honest, responsible life.

It isn’t like someone wants to spend time in a cell. They have made mistakes and most regret them. Almost all the mistakes were made under the influence of drugs or alcohol or in pursuit of same. We are treating people for criminality when we should be treating them for addictions. They may be addicted to meth, heroin, alcohol, porn, or a myriad of other things, but they are addicted. Why are we treating them for criminality?

The crimes committed are a direct result of the addictions. If you look at questionnaires turned to apply for…

This Prison Family Bill of Rights is something every family of an incarcerated person needs to know about. You deserve these basic rights when your loved one is incarcerated. This year’s International Prisoners Family Conference was held in Dallas Texas May 4-6th 2016. You can find more information about this conference and their goals at: info@prisonersfamilyconference.org. Working together through organizations like this one … we CAN change the opportunities and the results for our loved ones when they are released and during their incarceration. This is a copy from their website. Photo courtesy of Fotolia.

Something most people aren’t aware of is that for-profit private corporations now have contracts to manage over 120 prison facilities in the United States. They are paid by person per bed day. Most of them even have contracts with the government to pay for any bed days that are not used. For instance, the state of Virginia had a contract that guaranteed payment for a 95% occupancy rate.

These are private corporations that have boards of directors and stock holders. The higher the profit margin is, the more attractive the stock is. (Think Apple or Microsoft) A profit margin is generated simply by income minus expenses. Hello? What would that tell you about a company that makes it’s living from the incarceration of inmates? They will provide services in the least expense way possible, in order to increase their profit margin and raise the stock price.

Two of the largest…