Opinion: Don’t just be tough on crime, be smart on crime

Has been updated: Four by the time release date: Four by the time

Our country incarcerates a higher percentage of our population than any other country in the world, and our state incarcerates a higher percentage than any other state. Alaska spends about $400 million each year incarcerating people. That’s about 25 percent more than the state funds spent on the University of Alaska.

Incarceration tends to affect people who are already disadvantaged and struggling. According to a study by the think tank Rand, more than 70% of prisoners in the United States have a fourth-grade reading and writing ability, making it difficult for them to find work, earn a living, and find and purchase housing. It turned out that Their families often have a record of incarceration. Once prisoners are released, their criminal history makes it even more difficult for them to become independent, law-abiding members of the community. Although 98 percent of all prisoners are eventually released, the majority of those released return to prison within their three years.

This is a self-reinforcing and expensive cycle. But by helping returnees find legal employment upon release, they can prevent their deplorable lives from getting worse.

There’s some good news. ADN recently featured a program at Wildwood Prison that gives inmates the opportunity to become certified barbers, a highly marketable skill upon release. The article states: “People who find high-quality jobs after prison are about half as likely to return to prison as those who don’t.” Employment was found to be the “single most important” factor in reducing recidivism rates.

Alaska Department of Corrections Secretary Jen Winkelman said of the Barber Certification at Wildwood, “Alaska Department of Corrections’ initiative to equip people serving time in prison with job skills that will lead to employment upon release.” “This is part of a broader effort.” At Wildwood alone, inmates can pursue commercial driver’s licenses and welding certifications. This program is highly competitive and requires good behavior to participate. ”

The ADN article concludes with a description of one former inmate who benefited from a barber training program. He said he still feels trapped in the facility and is struggling to shake off expectations that the doors are locked and there are surveillance cameras in every room. From the article: “Half of his life has passed in prison, but he’s still adjusting to the new wonder of being free in the world. But when he’s on the job, that goes away, he says. Concentrate on the haircut in front of you. The rest of you can wait.”

When considering ways to reduce incarceration, look to the work of Partners for Progress, Inc., an Alaska nonprofit founded 20 years ago with a mission to reduce incarceration and protect the public. It is beneficial to do so. Our partners do this in two ways. One is to support treatment courts. This is a program run by the Alaska Court System that prevents otherwise intractable DUI offenders from being incarcerated. and by operating a walk-in prisoner reentry center designed to assist homeless reentrants on their first day of release from prison.

The first program, therapeutic court, proved its effectiveness. Approximately two out of three therapeutic court graduates do not reoffend. This grueling 18-month program combines court enforcement with support and treatment to overcome addiction. Alcohol consumption is strictly monitored. Sanctions for relapse are immediate and may include service in community work, volunteering to help others, writing a paper, more meetings and drug testing.

The second program, Partners Reentry Center, provides same-day housing and months of assistance to formerly incarcerated individuals who would otherwise be homeless. The partner building is strategically located at 4th Avenue and Barrow Street. Most of the returning nationals are released into the parking lot of the Anchorage prison. For them, the Partners building is easily reached by climbing the hill from the prison to the Forth and Barrow. Support includes housing, case management, employment, support groups, and referrals to health and addictions clinicians.

Since Partners Reentry Centers opened nearly 10 years ago (August 2013), they have assisted 8,627 people across the state, most of whom received housing until they found employment and became self-sufficient. In January 2024, the center had an average of 18 to 20 re-admissions each day. Of those currently living in housing, 68% are employed.

Many organizations are now working together to help formerly incarcerated Alaskans. He has eight reentry coalitions in the state. Additionally, and most importantly, the Alaska Legislature has expressed support for funding reentry efforts to help returning citizens rejoin their communities.

We congratulate Alaska’s many returnees on their successes. Your success will help others and benefit your state.

Janet McCabe He is a member of the Board of Directors of Partners for Progress. Doreen Schenkenberger The CEO of Partners for Progress contributed to the writing of this commentary.

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