Fair Shake

Every year over 600,000 people are released from prison. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, over 95% of all state prisoners will again rejoin us in society. Sadly, however, less than three years after leaving prison, nearly 70% of them will return.

For many former inmates, walking away from prison does not mean the punishment is over. On this side of the fence, they are faced with overwhelming challenges, including:

• Finding employment
• Securing housing
• Paying restitution or fines
• Re-developing relationships
• Maintaining self-confidence and a positive outlook

We all need hope and opportunity to succeed. Formerly-incarcerated people are among the most stigmatized and least regarded segments of our population. Since they often lack ways to prove pro-social ambitions, employers, property managers and neighbors are justifiably skeptical of their intent. When they are shunned by communities, their chances of staying out of prison are further reduced. Desperation then leads to poor decisions and increased risk.

While incarcerated, an offender can use his or her prison term to prepare for a successful life. However, for inmates who choose to use their time wisely, there are few opportunities or resources available to learn ideas about community participation, philosophy and logic, constructive thinking or cultural transition. Educational opportunities in prison primarily focus on getting a GED, vocational training and life/family skills training.

Success requires more than just technical training and basic life skills, though. Some of the attributes of successful people include assuming responsibility for actions, planning for the future, being realistic and believing in hard work and lasting relationships. Few offenders have had the opportunity to study these characteristics prior to entering prison.

Fair Shake addresses these considerations through the creation of a non-traditional re-entry and reintegration program. We will offer reflections and exercises in the following areas:

• Employee Training
• Critical Thinking
• Relationships
• Citizenship
• Health

Fair Shake will present these study areas from the broad world-citizen perspective down to individual rights and responsibilities. We will look at how the topics relate to current events, cultural norms and each other. Program participants will receive validation for areas studied. Fair Shake will offer these studies through a variety of educational formats, including a self-guided Web site simulation program, in-prison and in-community workshops, printed materials and our Web site. A handy tool kit will also be available to anyone who is incarcerated, whether or not they participate in the program.

Web Site Simulation Program — We believe that one of the best ways to make an effective transition tool is to construct something that can be utilized both in and out of prison. Fair Shake will offer a free simulation program of our interactive Web site, complete with educational sessions, tool kit, creation of a personal Web page, and email simulation. People who use the simulation program will be prepared to use the Web site.

Printed Materials — We will also offer printed materials from the Web site sessions to reach inmates who will not be able to access the interactive program. Workshops may become available to review and discuss the program and study areas.

Workshops — Subjects in the workshops will be addressed through goal-oriented conversations with a focus on using constructive and critical thinking skills. We will offer workshops to inmates utilizing the program to enhance understanding of the printed materials and the Web site simulation program.

Re-Entry Tool Kit — The tool kit will be able to be customized for localized references for services in many communities and will be available to anyone in prison or jail.

Fair Shake Web Site — The Fair Shake Web site will be available to former inmates, families, employers, property managers and community members. Formerly-incarcerated people will be able to create a personal Web page and an email address to encourage communication and networking and offer a place to present information to potential employers, family and property managers.

Fair Shake will address responsibility, tenacity, positive thinking and the value of being realistic and creating lasting relationships in all sessions. With the proper understanding of concepts like these, participants will be able to create appropriate, achievable goals. Not only will they prepare for success, however, they will also prepare for the worst: rejection, setbacks, obstacles and negativity. This is where they will find some of their greatest challenges.

Fair Shake will offer benefits not only to inmates but also to communities. Written recognition for participation in the programs will help future employers and property managers develop a clear understanding of the person they are interviewing and allow room for retribution. Through our Web site, employers and property managers will be able to access the applicant's Web page, criminal records, bond and tax credit information from one convenient location.

Fair Shake will also educate family, friends and community members about the program, people in transition and prison culture. Concerned citizens will be able to learn about the criminal justice system, related statistics and "cons" to look out for, as well as how their investment in corrections is being used.

Consider just a few of the differences between prison and community life:

• One of our most treasured human qualities is honesty. In prison, however, one of the most valuable survival skills is deception.

• Creating long-term relationships is a prime building block for community stability. Prisoners, however, often maintain superficial or short-term relationships; inmates transfer to other facilities frequently and communication between prisons is not allowed.

• People in the general public are constantly required to make all sorts of decisions. Prisoners, however, are offered few opportunities for decision-making.

• Daily life outside of prison moves at a brisk pace and changes constantly. Daily life inside prison, however, is often much like the previous day.

This is just a small sample of the various cultural changes that returning prisoners are faced with. How could we possibly expect people with such limited access to information to successfully make a transition of this magnitude without training, reflection and preparation?

Fair Shake was created to address these startling statistics:

• We invest an average of $24,000 in each prisoner annually.
• The average prison sentence is approximately four years.
• Over 95% of the prisoners in the U.S. will eventually be released (over 600,000 per year).
• The overall recidivism rate (% of former felons returning to prison) is 67.5%.

Prisons serve a useful and necessary function and will continue to have an important place in our society, but one term in prison should provide a sufficient opportunity to understand the importance and relevance of responsible citizenship. People who break the law need a "time out" to understand the gravity of their crime, reconsider their role as a member of our society and plan their return to the community. We certainly do not want inmates to escape today, but we must remember that the prison door will be opened for them tomorrow. Once they have served the sentence deemed a fair punishment for their crime, formerly-incarcerated people should be able to make amends and get on with their lives in a productive and peaceful manner.

As taxpayers, we are all investors in corrections, and a 32% success rate is simply unacceptable — considering both our safety and the return on our investment (ROI). A reasonable ROI will be realized when we slow the revolving door and cease to repeatedly warehouse the same people. Only then will we truly become "tough on crime."

So, supporting re-entry programs will produce important and tangible results:

• Increase public safety
• Build stronger communities
• Encourage accountability and civic responsibility