The criminal justice system has been driven by “tough-on-crime” policies for years. Strict sentencing laws, required minimums, and a general focus on punishment have resulted in record-high levels of incarceration.
“Our prison system is at a critical juncture, grappling with staff shortages and overcrowded facilities,” says Percy Pitzer, Founding Manager of Creative Corrections. “Immediate, concerted action from all stakeholders is imperative to tackle these challenges head-on.”
Creative Corrections, the only company authorized by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to perform global prison audits, tackles the current issue of overcrowded prisons with a four-pronged strategy. Its approach tackles current issues while also investing resources in long-term strategies to create a more efficient prison operation.
The problem with tough-on-crime policies
Although the United States has the highest per capita incarceration rate in the world, the high rate of imprisonment has not delivered an equivalent decrease in crime. Research proves that beyond a certain threshold, further incarceration does not significantly decrease crime.
In other words, the “tough-on-crime” experiment has not reduced crime. Due to decades of this approach, prisons in the United States are experiencing widespread overcrowding, staff shortages, and limited programs.
One of the most glaring downfalls of the tough-on-crime approach is the high level of recidivism. Approximately 68% of ex-convicts in the US are arrested again within three years, 79% within six years, and 83% within nine years.
Pitzer observes, “It is time to explore smarter, more effective solutions to address crime, moving beyond traditional incarceration methods. With 29 years of experience across 11 facilities — including five as a Warden — I believe the suggestions I shared could enhance the overall outcomes on reducing prison overcrowding and recidivism.”
A four-pronged approach to address prison overcrowding
The Pitzer Family Education Foundation (PFEF) addresses the first prong of investing in future generations to stop second-generation crime. The foundation asserts that tackling overcrowded prisons begins with investing in future generations. To decrease future prison populations, the organization targets youths and young adults at elevated risk of criminal activities with preventative measures such as educational initiatives, community involvement, and mentorship.
Creative Corrections addresses the second prong of developing alternatives to incarceration by utilizing an approach that involves using established risk assessment tools models to determine the level of threat presented by each offender. Risk assessment tools use a wide variety of measurements, data points, and algorithms to distinguish between high-risk offenders, who present real dangers to public safety, and low-risk offenders, who can be managed using different methods. They enable detailed decision-making and prevent prisons from becoming overcrowded with people serving sentences for petty crimes.
“Options like home confinement with electronic monitoring enable individuals to work, support their families, and relieve the burden on the prison system,” notes Pitzer. “Many other options are available as well. We just have to concentrate on solutions and not accept the current situation. We must consider alternatives.”
Creative Corrections addresses the third prong, focusing on decreasing recidivism rates by tackling drug addiction and mental health issues, including targeting the root causes that drive people toward criminal actions. A large number of inmates in prisons battle with drug addiction and mental health issues. Though these underlying conditions are often behind the development of criminal behavior, traditional prison programs struggle to address them with appropriate counseling, medication management, and therapy sessions due to staff shortages. Additionally, educational and vocational training programs have the dual purpose of keeping inmates engaged and preparing them with valuable skills for release.
Creative Corrections addresses the fourth prong targeting the development of culture and rehabilitation strategies that highlight the significance of keeping prison environments safe, humane, and well-managed. It is important to establish a culture of rehabilitation for the incarcerated and parolee individuals. This type of environment shifts the emphasis away from punishment towards individual growth and readiness for reentry into society. Initiatives that support positive conduct, individual accountability, and social skills are crucial in building this cultural transformation.
Moving toward a future of rehabilitation and hope
Creative Corrections’ innovative four-pronged strategy provides a comprehensive solution to the complex problem of overcrowded prisons. By investing in future generations, employing proven risk assessment models, implementing need-driven treatment programs, and ensuring that prisons are safe and humane, this strategy addresses both the immediate and long-term challenges within the prison system. Through these measures, Creative Corrections is not only attempting to reduce the prison population but also aims to transform the very fabric of how people view and manage correctional systems.
Incorporating independent audits conducted by Creative Corrections is crucial for ensuring the integrity and effectiveness of its four-pronged approach. These audits provide an objective assessment of facility operations, identifying areas for improvement and ensuring compliance with established standards.
Independent audits conducted by an ISO-accredited company also foster transparency and accountability, building public trust in the criminal justice system. In addition, this oversight accentuates the third and fourth prongs in Creative Corrections’ approach by ensuring that programs are executed with precision and integrity, ultimately leading to a more rehabilitative and just system.
“What doesn’t get checked doesn’t get fixed,” concludes Pitzer. “With two decades of expertise and international accreditation, we prioritize client confidence through independent oversight. Our sole goal is to work with correctional organizations to ensure the best possible outcomes.”
