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	<title>Comments on: Why Do We Tolerate a Massive Prison System That Produces 70% Recidivism Rates?</title>
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		<title>By: Why Do We Tolerate a Massive Prison System That Produces 70% Recidivism Rates? &#171; From Behind Bars</title>
		<link>http://www.laprogressive.com/political-issues/california-political-issues/prison-system-that-produces-recidivism/comment-page-1/#comment-39996</link>
		<dc:creator>Why Do We Tolerate a Massive Prison System That Produces 70% Recidivism Rates? &#171; From Behind Bars</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:24:10 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description>[...] LA Progressive [...]</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>[...] LA Progressive [...]</p>
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		<title>By: Dick and Sharon</title>
		<link>http://www.laprogressive.com/political-issues/california-political-issues/prison-system-that-produces-recidivism/comment-page-1/#comment-39967</link>
		<dc:creator>Dick and Sharon</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 2009 23:49:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.laprogressive.com/?p=11418#comment-39967</guid>
		<description>Thanks so much, Eido. We fixed that missing end to the paragragh. -- Dick</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thanks so much, Eido. We fixed that missing end to the paragragh. &#8212; Dick</p>
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		<title>By: Eido Cohen</title>
		<link>http://www.laprogressive.com/political-issues/california-political-issues/prison-system-that-produces-recidivism/comment-page-1/#comment-39963</link>
		<dc:creator>Eido Cohen</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 2009 23:00:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.laprogressive.com/?p=11418#comment-39963</guid>
		<description>In the question, &quot;Talk about your blog and what you’re trying to accomplish with it.&quot;

Par. 3 ends with &quot;...We would long ago have said&quot; and is then cut-off. What was supposed to be stated after that?</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In the question, &#8220;Talk about your blog and what you’re trying to accomplish with it.&#8221;</p>
<p>Par. 3 ends with &#8220;&#8230;We would long ago have said&#8221; and is then cut-off. What was supposed to be stated after that?</p>
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		<title>By: annieR</title>
		<link>http://www.laprogressive.com/political-issues/california-political-issues/prison-system-that-produces-recidivism/comment-page-1/#comment-39951</link>
		<dc:creator>annieR</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 2009 20:29:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.laprogressive.com/?p=11418#comment-39951</guid>
		<description>The prison system is tolerated because it&#039;s a contracted-out operation. The private interests who are invested in the private, for-profit system do not want crime reduced and do not want prisoners rehabilitated. Recall the recent case of judges who sent juveniles, without legal counsel, to for-profit detention facilities for kick-backs. This isn&#039;t rocket-science, folks. It&#039;s all about greed.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The prison system is tolerated because it&#8217;s a contracted-out operation. The private interests who are invested in the private, for-profit system do not want crime reduced and do not want prisoners rehabilitated. Recall the recent case of judges who sent juveniles, without legal counsel, to for-profit detention facilities for kick-backs. This isn&#8217;t rocket-science, folks. It&#8217;s all about greed.</p>
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		<title>By: Brad Hart</title>
		<link>http://www.laprogressive.com/political-issues/california-political-issues/prison-system-that-produces-recidivism/comment-page-1/#comment-39943</link>
		<dc:creator>Brad Hart</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:06:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.laprogressive.com/?p=11418#comment-39943</guid>
		<description>It isn&#039;t the prisons system that causes so much recidivism, it is the fact that ex-cons have such a hard time finding any sort of worthwhile employment after wards because of employers reliance on cheap easily obtainable criminal records.  While I am not saying companies don&#039;t have a right to check into the background of potential employees, it becomes counter productive to society when they start excluding anyone who has ever had a conviction from jobs as lowly as mc donalds drive through attendant.

For example I have a friend who had Drunk and disorderly when he was 18, but after wards served 30+ years in the military with distinction along the way being picked to go to OCS and retired with the rank of lt colonel. He was turned down for dozens of jobs because of his criminal record.  No one was worried about actually doing anything wrong but company policy at each place was to hire no one with a record.  He finally quit admitting to it and was later fired from being the manager of a goodwill, why because he didn&#039;t disclose his criminal record, which would have prevented him from being hired in the first place.

Imagine if it is hard to get or keep a job in the bible belt for decorated war hero with a long distinguished career to get and keep a simple fill your time provide extra pocket money job, what it does to the average person who does something stupid and ends up in prison.  If you can&#039;t find honest work no matter what you did in the first place or how long you have been good, there aren&#039;t a lot of options for you.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It isn&#8217;t the prisons system that causes so much recidivism, it is the fact that ex-cons have such a hard time finding any sort of worthwhile employment after wards because of employers reliance on cheap easily obtainable criminal records.  While I am not saying companies don&#8217;t have a right to check into the background of potential employees, it becomes counter productive to society when they start excluding anyone who has ever had a conviction from jobs as lowly as mc donalds drive through attendant.</p>
<p>For example I have a friend who had Drunk and disorderly when he was 18, but after wards served 30+ years in the military with distinction along the way being picked to go to OCS and retired with the rank of lt colonel. He was turned down for dozens of jobs because of his criminal record.  No one was worried about actually doing anything wrong but company policy at each place was to hire no one with a record.  He finally quit admitting to it and was later fired from being the manager of a goodwill, why because he didn&#8217;t disclose his criminal record, which would have prevented him from being hired in the first place.</p>
<p>Imagine if it is hard to get or keep a job in the bible belt for decorated war hero with a long distinguished career to get and keep a simple fill your time provide extra pocket money job, what it does to the average person who does something stupid and ends up in prison.  If you can&#8217;t find honest work no matter what you did in the first place or how long you have been good, there aren&#8217;t a lot of options for you.</p>
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		<title>By: KaySee</title>
		<link>http://www.laprogressive.com/political-issues/california-political-issues/prison-system-that-produces-recidivism/comment-page-1/#comment-39942</link>
		<dc:creator>KaySee</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:51:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.laprogressive.com/?p=11418#comment-39942</guid>
		<description>I&#039;d  bet that if all states treated their inmates like Arizona&#039;s Maricopa county sheriff and put them in tents in the desert the inmates wouldn&#039;t be coming back as often as 70%. And the cost to house the inmates could be cut 70% or more.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I&#8217;d  bet that if all states treated their inmates like Arizona&#8217;s Maricopa county sheriff and put them in tents in the desert the inmates wouldn&#8217;t be coming back as often as 70%. And the cost to house the inmates could be cut 70% or more.</p>
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		<title>By: Frank Courser</title>
		<link>http://www.laprogressive.com/political-issues/california-political-issues/prison-system-that-produces-recidivism/comment-page-1/#comment-39938</link>
		<dc:creator>Frank Courser</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:42:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.laprogressive.com/?p=11418#comment-39938</guid>
		<description>Thank you for pointing out what most of the experts have known for sometime. Our sentencing laws have become a jumbled mess of ever more punitive terms for even the slightest misdemeanor crimes enhanced to felonies “so called wobbler crimes. California sentencing laws have been described as the best offering of those who author bureaucratic
memoranda, income tax forms, insurance policies or
instructions for the assembly of packaged toys. We have allowed an ardent belief to overwhelm empirical analysis to reassure us we are doing the right thing. Senator Jim Webb said it best “With so many of our citizens in prison compared with the rest of the world, there are only two possibilities: Either we are home to the most evil people on earth or we are doing something different--and vastly counterproductive. Obviously, the answer is the latter”. It is imperative we review what we are doing and why we do it. And ask are we getting the results we expect in a cost effective manner?</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thank you for pointing out what most of the experts have known for sometime. Our sentencing laws have become a jumbled mess of ever more punitive terms for even the slightest misdemeanor crimes enhanced to felonies “so called wobbler crimes. California sentencing laws have been described as the best offering of those who author bureaucratic<br />
memoranda, income tax forms, insurance policies or<br />
instructions for the assembly of packaged toys. We have allowed an ardent belief to overwhelm empirical analysis to reassure us we are doing the right thing. Senator Jim Webb said it best “With so many of our citizens in prison compared with the rest of the world, there are only two possibilities: Either we are home to the most evil people on earth or we are doing something different&#8211;and vastly counterproductive. Obviously, the answer is the latter”. It is imperative we review what we are doing and why we do it. And ask are we getting the results we expect in a cost effective manner?</p>
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		<title>By: Adolescent Alcohol Abuse &#187; Crime in Washoe County Neighborhoods Criminal News Stories</title>
		<link>http://www.laprogressive.com/political-issues/california-political-issues/prison-system-that-produces-recidivism/comment-page-1/#comment-39921</link>
		<dc:creator>Adolescent Alcohol Abuse &#187; Crime in Washoe County Neighborhoods Criminal News Stories</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 2009 06:07:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.laprogressive.com/?p=11418#comment-39921</guid>
		<description>[...]  Why Do We Tolerate a Massive Prison System That Produces 70 &#8230;  By Cathy Cockrell  When we say that we want government to be tough on crime, we mean that we want prison sentences to be long. But we don&#039;t actually hold government accountable.   The LA Progressive - http://www.laprogressive.com/ [...]</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>[...]  Why Do We Tolerate a Massive Prison System That Produces 70 &#8230;  By Cathy Cockrell  When we say that we want government to be tough on crime, we mean that we want prison sentences to be long. But we don&#39;t actually hold government accountable.   The LA Progressive &#8211; <a href="http://www.laprogressive.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.laprogressive.com/</a> [...]</p>
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		<title>By: ahma_daeus</title>
		<link>http://www.laprogressive.com/political-issues/california-political-issues/prison-system-that-produces-recidivism/comment-page-1/#comment-39919</link>
		<dc:creator>ahma_daeus</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 2009 05:54:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.laprogressive.com/?p=11418#comment-39919</guid>
		<description>A “SINGLE VOICE PROJECT” is the official name of the petition sponsored by:  The National Public Service Council To Abolish Private Prisons (NPSCTAPP)

THIS PETITION SEEKS TO ABOLISH ALL PRIVATE PRISONS IN THE UNITED STATES, (or any place subject to its jurisdiction)


The National Public Service Council To Abolish Private Prisons (NPSCTAPP) is a grass roots organization driven by a single objective. We want the United States government to reclaim sole authority for state and federal prisons on US soil. 
We want the United States Congress to immediately rescind all state and federal contracts that permit private prisons “for profit” to exist in the United States, or any place subject to its jurisdiction. We understand that the problems that currently plague our government, its criminal justice system and in particular, the state &amp; federal bureau of prisons (and most correctional and rehabilitation facilities) are massive.  However, it is our solemn belief that the solutions for prison reform will remain unattainable and virtually impossible as long as private prisons for profit are permitted to operate in America. 

Prior to the past month, and the fiasco of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, AIG, Lehman Brothers, and now the “Big Three” American Automobile manufacturers, the NPSCTAPP has always felt compelled to highlight the “moral Bottom line” when it comes to corrections and privatization. Although, we remain confounded by the reality that our government has allowed our justice system to be operated by private interests.  The NPSCTAPP philosophy has always been “justice” should not be for sale at any price.  It is our belief that the inherent and most fundamental responsibility of the criminal justice system should not be shirked, or “jobbed-out.” This is not the same as privatizing the post office or some trash pick up service in the community. There has to be a loss of meaning and purpose when an inmate looks at a guard’s uniform and instead of seeing an emblem that reads State Department of Corrections or Federal Bureau of Prisons, he sees one that says: “Atlas Prison Corporation.”

 Let’s assume that the real danger of privatization is not some innate inhumanity on the part of its practitioners but rather the added financial incentives that reward inhumanity. The same logic that motivates companies to operate prisons more efficiently also encourages them to cut corners at the expense of workers, prisoners and the public.  Every penny they do not spend on food, medical care or training for guards is a dime they can pocket.  What happens when the pennies pocketed are not enough for the shareholders? Who will bailout the private prison industry when they hold the government and the American people hostage with the threat of financial failure…“bankruptcy?”  What was unimaginable a month ago merits serious consideration today. State and Federal prison programs originate from government design, and therefore, need to be maintained by the government.  It’s time to restore the principles and the vacated promise of our judicial system.  



John F. Kennedy said, “The time to repair the roof is while the sun is shinning”. Well the sun may not be shinning but, it’s not a bad time to begin repair on a dangerous roof that is certain to fall…. because, “Incarcerating people for profit is, in a word WRONG” 

There is an urgent need for the good people of this country to emerge from the shadows of cynicism, indifference, apathy and those other dark places that we migrate to when we are overwhelmed by frustration and the loss of hope. 
It is our hope that you will support the NPSCTAPP with a show of solidarity by signing our petition. We intend to assemble a collection of one million signatures, which will subsequently be attached to a proposition for consideration. This proposition will be presented to both, the Speaker Of The House Of Representatives (Nancy Pelosi) and the United States Congress.


Please Help Us. We Need Your Support. Help Us Spread The Word About This Monumental And Courageous Challenge To Create Positive Change. Place The Link To The Petition On Your Website! Pass It On! 

The SINGLE VOICE PETITION and the effort to abolish private “for profit” prisons is the sole intent of NPSCTAPP. Our project does not contain any additional agendas. We have no solutions or suggestions regarding prison reform. However, we are unyielding in our belief that the answers to the many problems which currently plague this nation’s criminal justice system and its penal system in particular, cannot and will not be found within or assisted by the private “for profit” prison business. The private “for profit” prison business has a stranglehold on our criminal justice system. Its vice-like grip continues to choke the possibility of justice, fairness, and responsibility from both state and federal systems.  
These new slave plantations are not the answer! 

For more information please visit: http://www.npsctapp.blogspot.com 
To sign the petition please visit: http://www.petitiononline.com/gufree2/petition.html 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A “SINGLE VOICE PROJECT” is the official name of the petition sponsored by:  The National Public Service Council To Abolish Private Prisons (NPSCTAPP)</p>
<p>THIS PETITION SEEKS TO ABOLISH ALL PRIVATE PRISONS IN THE UNITED STATES, (or any place subject to its jurisdiction)</p>
<p>The National Public Service Council To Abolish Private Prisons (NPSCTAPP) is a grass roots organization driven by a single objective. We want the United States government to reclaim sole authority for state and federal prisons on US soil.<br />
We want the United States Congress to immediately rescind all state and federal contracts that permit private prisons “for profit” to exist in the United States, or any place subject to its jurisdiction. We understand that the problems that currently plague our government, its criminal justice system and in particular, the state &amp; federal bureau of prisons (and most correctional and rehabilitation facilities) are massive.  However, it is our solemn belief that the solutions for prison reform will remain unattainable and virtually impossible as long as private prisons for profit are permitted to operate in America. </p>
<p>Prior to the past month, and the fiasco of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, AIG, Lehman Brothers, and now the “Big Three” American Automobile manufacturers, the NPSCTAPP has always felt compelled to highlight the “moral Bottom line” when it comes to corrections and privatization. Although, we remain confounded by the reality that our government has allowed our justice system to be operated by private interests.  The NPSCTAPP philosophy has always been “justice” should not be for sale at any price.  It is our belief that the inherent and most fundamental responsibility of the criminal justice system should not be shirked, or “jobbed-out.” This is not the same as privatizing the post office or some trash pick up service in the community. There has to be a loss of meaning and purpose when an inmate looks at a guard’s uniform and instead of seeing an emblem that reads State Department of Corrections or Federal Bureau of Prisons, he sees one that says: “Atlas Prison Corporation.”</p>
<p> Let’s assume that the real danger of privatization is not some innate inhumanity on the part of its practitioners but rather the added financial incentives that reward inhumanity. The same logic that motivates companies to operate prisons more efficiently also encourages them to cut corners at the expense of workers, prisoners and the public.  Every penny they do not spend on food, medical care or training for guards is a dime they can pocket.  What happens when the pennies pocketed are not enough for the shareholders? Who will bailout the private prison industry when they hold the government and the American people hostage with the threat of financial failure…“bankruptcy?”  What was unimaginable a month ago merits serious consideration today. State and Federal prison programs originate from government design, and therefore, need to be maintained by the government.  It’s time to restore the principles and the vacated promise of our judicial system.  </p>
<p>John F. Kennedy said, “The time to repair the roof is while the sun is shinning”. Well the sun may not be shinning but, it’s not a bad time to begin repair on a dangerous roof that is certain to fall…. because, “Incarcerating people for profit is, in a word WRONG” </p>
<p>There is an urgent need for the good people of this country to emerge from the shadows of cynicism, indifference, apathy and those other dark places that we migrate to when we are overwhelmed by frustration and the loss of hope.<br />
It is our hope that you will support the NPSCTAPP with a show of solidarity by signing our petition. We intend to assemble a collection of one million signatures, which will subsequently be attached to a proposition for consideration. This proposition will be presented to both, the Speaker Of The House Of Representatives (Nancy Pelosi) and the United States Congress.</p>
<p>Please Help Us. We Need Your Support. Help Us Spread The Word About This Monumental And Courageous Challenge To Create Positive Change. Place The Link To The Petition On Your Website! Pass It On! </p>
<p>The SINGLE VOICE PETITION and the effort to abolish private “for profit” prisons is the sole intent of NPSCTAPP. Our project does not contain any additional agendas. We have no solutions or suggestions regarding prison reform. However, we are unyielding in our belief that the answers to the many problems which currently plague this nation’s criminal justice system and its penal system in particular, cannot and will not be found within or assisted by the private “for profit” prison business. The private “for profit” prison business has a stranglehold on our criminal justice system. Its vice-like grip continues to choke the possibility of justice, fairness, and responsibility from both state and federal systems.<br />
These new slave plantations are not the answer! </p>
<p>For more information please visit: <a href="http://www.npsctapp.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.npsctapp.blogspot.com</a><br />
To sign the petition please visit: <a href="http://www.petitiononline.com/gufree2/petition.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.petitiononline.com/gufree2/petition.html</a> </p>
<p>THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!</p>
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		<title>By: nathan</title>
		<link>http://www.laprogressive.com/political-issues/california-political-issues/prison-system-that-produces-recidivism/comment-page-1/#comment-39914</link>
		<dc:creator>nathan</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 2009 03:32:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.laprogressive.com/?p=11418#comment-39914</guid>
		<description>Obama talks about accountability, but he is no different than Bush in his actions and policies.

Obama is George Bush&#039;s third term with a new teleprompter.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Obama talks about accountability, but he is no different than Bush in his actions and policies.</p>
<p>Obama is George Bush&#8217;s third term with a new teleprompter.</p>
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		<title>By: Jules Siegel</title>
		<link>http://www.laprogressive.com/political-issues/california-political-issues/prison-system-that-produces-recidivism/comment-page-1/#comment-39906</link>
		<dc:creator>Jules Siegel</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 2009 01:28:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.laprogressive.com/?p=11418#comment-39906</guid>
		<description>What is the effect of in-prison education on recidivism?</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>What is the effect of in-prison education on recidivism?</p>
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