In the interest of giving equal time to both candidates' plans and ideas for taking on the dual issues of prison overcrowding and skyrocketing prison costs, I reached out to Al Taubenberger via email to see if had any plans. Taubenberger called me back a short time ago with the following statement and 5-step plan to attack this problem:
The state needs to be involved. A number of these crimes fall under state mandate and these people should be incarcerated in the state prison. That is something that is being worked on now and I would fully support it. That would also bring the [overcrowding] numbers down.
New York did a study and has implemented a plan that allows people to go on bail a little easier. I'd like to study that and see how that works.
I'd also hire more correctional officers. A lot of times there are lock downs simply because there are not enough officers available. Fewer lockdowns would allow more time for prisoners to take part in rehabilitation programs.
I want to work to end recidivism and work with industry, chambers of commerce and others, and create a cabinet level position to help former inmate finds employment with government where appropriate and with private where appropriate.
We should also focus on making more opportunities for employment available. A good job and a good wage is a better program than Harrisburg or Washington could ever devise and that in itself would help keep people out of prison or the drug trade in the first place.
The preceding statement was made on the fly during our telephone conversation. Taubenberger said that if he has anything to add or more details, he'll send it along and I'll send it along to you.
Feel free to evaluate in the comments.
Comments (1)
One thing. Sure has taken a while to see where T-berger is coming from on the prison issue.
I agree on T-berger's outline :
The state should be involved
Hire more CO's
End recency
Focus on opportunities
Posted by Jasper Zeigler Jr | August 28, 2007 9:14 AM