I’ll admit it. I have no idea what goes on in State Prisons, county jails, or local lock ups. And I plan to keep it that way. But two weeks ago I met the Sheriff of Bristol County Massachusetts and I was inspired. Sheriff Thomas Hodgson has a few idea that remind me of my visit with Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County Arizona (here and here); a willingness to make incarceration just that. More like punishment, less like a gated country club.
Upon assuming the role of High Sheriff of Bristol County, Sheriff Hodgson immediately set out to implement his goals for corrections reform, public safety and raising the standards for the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office. He instituted structured disciplines for the inmate population and expanded the work release programs.
Approximately three years ago Sheriff Hodgson gained international attention when he instituted the Tandem Work Crew, a strictly voluntary program for medium security inmates. While initially controversial, the Tandem Work Crews continue to work in communities throughout the County. He banned tobacco products for staff and inmates, removed televisions from cells, and donated weight-lifting equipment to police departments and the local Boys and Girls Club. In July of 2002, in an attempt to offset severe budget cuts, Sheriff Hodgson instituted a $5.00 cost-of-care fee that every inmate is charged for each day they are incarcerated. Programs affording educational opportunities, spiritual assistance and vocational aptitude have expanded at the House of Correction.
Prisoners should not have cable television, weights, or any creature comforts at all.
I’d go so far as to limit access to news, music, radio, if that is not already the case. Especially liberal media–way too violent. A pot and a cot. That’s it. And exercise? Work is exercise. Some work more than others. Put them to work. And keep them isolated from each other unless they have to eat or work. It’s not a social gathering. It’s prison. It is a punishment.
And like Sheriff Hodgson says,"why are we paying them to be in prison? They should be paying us." And so they should. Remember that whole "debt to society thing?" Start paying it.
And while they should have plenty of reading material, it should be limited to the kinds of books you’d give to public school kids who don’t live in Bedford New Hampshire. No sex, no violence, and please, nothing by Al Gore or anyone who works at the New York Times.
Movie night might be a nice treat. I seem to recall the Sheriff telling us stories about how these guys were watching violent action flicks. He made a change. Say hello to Disney. I think that’s what he said. Maybe I’m confusing him with Sheriff Arpaio again, but the point is the same. It’s something you get for good behavior, you keep it limited, and you keep it kid friendly. Uplifting and spiritually motivating.
How about the environment? I hear that in Japan they keep it just pleasant enough to be tolerable. Maybe that’s just urban legend but it has a nice ring to it. Keep that thermostat on the edge of uncomfortable. Not too warm in winter, not too cool in summer. Makes you re-think your life choices when the result of bad behavior is a quiet, uncomfortable cell with no entertainment, no work out gear, lousy food, and poor company. What is this place a prison? Yeah, just one or two steps from the average doctors office waiting room but no Cosmo.
Then there’s health care. I’m not sure what the Sheriff said, but he had an innovation there as well. Apparently the inmates like to abuse the free heath care; free to them, expensive for taxpayers. Medication and treatment reforms are an imperative. Remove any incentive to abuse the system and you’ll see costs drop.
As I said in the opening, I have no idea what goes on in New Hampshire’s prison system, but I bet a few of you do. Are we following any of these policies? Better yet, should we? And if we should, where’s the legislation or rule making authority to get this ball rolling.
