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Dortell Williams is an inmate at the Los Angeles County California State Prison in Lancaster, California. Dortell has been published in a number of community newspapers, including the San Francisco Bay View, The Final Call and The Los Angeles Sentinel. He mentors at-risk kids through San Francisco's The Beat Within and is an inside correspondent for Families to Amend Three Strikes. You can email Dortell at: dortellwilliams@yahoo.com. For more information about the Honor Yard Program, visit: www.prisonhonorprogram.org

Support Real Rehabilitation

Commentary by Dortell Williams, recorded 6/18/07

Scroll down for a written transcript

1) 3:01 MP3 Radio Essay

Update:

Senate Bill 299 sailed unscathed through the Senate Public Safety Committee, the Senate Public Safety Commission, Senate Appropriations and the full Senate. The bill is scheduled to go before the Assembly Public Safety Committee, August 31st, where it is expected to hit turbulence. Old fashioned, traditional letters are requested of the public for legislative supporters of the bill to offset expected opposition.

Support Real Rehabilitation

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In 2003, during his first bid for the state’s golden helm, the governor aspirant Arnold Schwarzenegger promised to reform the troubled prison system. He later promised he would complete the needed task by actual reform, not merely “moving boxes around” and changing names and titles. Yet, that’s exactly what he did. He changed the title of the director to secretary, though the job description is essentially the same. He added the word “rehabilitation” to the department of corrections, yet, it’s just that, a word, with no substance.

Severe overcrowding has become the catalyst of frequent riots and other violence. The recidivism rate is nearly 70%, the highest in the nation. State Senator Gloria Romero calls the parole system an expensive “catch and release” sham.

Yet, amidst all the violence, stagnation and failure stands one success story rarely told. It’s called the Honor Program. Here, prisoners, sick and tired of all the above set into motion a program that saves taxpayers money, is violence–adverse and righteously prepares today’s prisoners for tomorrow’s inevitable release.

Initiated in 2000, the skills of prisoners are used to mentor others. Peer tutoring in subjects such as anger management, conflict resolution, critical thinking, creative writing, and even yoga, are taught. Millions more are saved because there are no drug overdoses—random testing is also part of the pledge. And still, millions more are saved in this riot–free environment–the typical riot–related overtime is not needed here.

Prisoners in The Honor Program realize that contributing to the society we aim to re–enter is a win for all. So we’ve raised over $50,000 for local charities; we refurbish eyewear for indigent citizens, and mentor at–risk youth sent to us by the courts and other intervention programs.

Senator Romero and a growing body of others recognize the money–saving, living–saving success of rehabilitation facilities like The Honor Program. Senator Romero recently introduced Senate Bill 299, that would expand these rehab facilities and reverse this long–standing failure.

Safe, well–managed prisons, that actually aim to “correct” and “rehabilitate.” from the inside, make for a safer world outside, where ninety–percent of prisoners will eventually make their return to.

We ask that you support S.B. 299 by writing your local representative. A list of congresspersons’ addresses can be found at www.prisonhonorprogram.org, along with more information about this valuable program. Please write your congressperson today.

June 2007

Update

Letters are requested before the next hearing, August 31 and again between September 3–14th.