I think that what you wrote about in this blog is very true and very pertinent to me as a (college) student at CSULB. Our society could sure use more of the chancellors from Washington DC. I do believe have a question about the reforms and sure that you are speaking of.

Lets say that I was someone who had power within our society, someone who could make changes and get things done that need to get done. What exactly is the first step in doing that? Because people can talk and talk and talk about what should be done and what is right, but those people have to KNOW how and what to do in order to take that first step towards the goal(s). From reading several of your blogs as well as being about half way through your book “Inside”, prison life is completely different and not what the general public would typically think life is like behind bars.

Being a Criminal Justice student it is interesting being involved and communicating with someone from prison who knows what it is like and who knows what kind of changes need to be done. As I continue to learn more and more about the correctional system from Dr. Torres, I get more and more interested in prisons, the people inside, and the solution to the reforms you speak about. What is it that I, just a 21 year old student, can do to help your, as well as many others, situation inside?? That is why I ask what the FIRST step in your reforms would be.

I also read the blog about Edgar who should not be in prison, and it is very sad that our criminal justice system has come to this. You would think that judges and other officials would see his background and other great things he has done. Why is it that he got such a harsh punishment? Why is it that his PO did not do a very good pre-sentencing report and assist the judge in his strategy for punishing Edgar? Sorry kind of went off on a tangent!