By: Sean Katz

Sean Katz — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:26:37 +0000

Dear Mr. Santos:
I am writing as an assignment for Dr. Torres’ Corrections class at Cal State long Beach.
I have a couple comments/questions or your article entitled, “Why Don’t More Prisoners Take Advantage of Improvement Programs?”. I apologize in advance for my ignorance of the federal prison system and look to you for your knowledge. First, i want to bring up how you think of prisons as a communist establishment in regards to how the jobs serve the institution.
I ask what kind of jobs do you suggest would switch prison from a communist depiction and possibly help prisoners distinguish themselves? I mean it is my perception that having prisoners do the institutions’ work, it would be a cost effective way to save part of that 60 billion dollar prison cost you speak of so frequently. How does keeping prisoners out of further trouble by making them do work on the prison they are in such a bad avenue for a positive experience?
Also, I am confused at your comment that prison has not encouraged your growth. It appears to me that if you were able to attain multiple degrees (which I commend you for), write books and better yourself, that prison has indeed encouraged growth of some kind. In other words, I feel that you have positive goals and have been on the right path to make your way through your term. As a result, along the way, you have indeed received better opportunities within the system than those hustling and watching television, is that a fair assessment? If so, then prison is not treating everyone the same and if you work hard you get incentives/benefits of being able to do the things you have done. In addition, could you possibly entertain the idea that maybe you feel you have earned the right to have typewriters used for purposes other than for court purposes, have access to the internet, and get visits from classes like mine? I would guess that prisoners who play cards and hustle do not get most of those benefits or progressive measures?
Thank you for your time and response to my inquiry. Good luck with the rest of your sentence!
Sean

Comments on: Why Don’t More Prisoners Take Advantage of Improvement Programs?

By: Sean Katz