Scott Frakes' Response
Once again, it really was an honor to interact with your students. Having Eldon show up added so much more to the conversation - he is one smart individual.
My personal values around the criminal justice system have evolved greatly over the years. I spoke yesterday about society's decision to use prisons as a method of addressing criminal behavior obligates us (societal contract) to provide for those we incarcerate, and that we can't abdicate that responsibility to profit making corporations (private prisons). The larger message is that our societal contract should obligate us to give those incarcerated every opportunity to return to the community with some reasonable chance of success. By incarcerating only the most dangerous and focusing our resources on a smaller body of people, we could do a better job meeting our core mission. Correction's role with public safety begins with incarceration, but the long term contribution to public safety is demonstrated by those that exit the criminal justice system and don't return to crime. I'll now put away my soap box.
Those of us working inside the criminal justice system do make positive changes, and I believe that the majority of us in leadership roles want a system that works for everyone - including the criminally convicted. We represent and provide services to so many stakeholders. We have to advocate for all, and that often means small changes, small corrections, small victories. It is a thoroughly educated, balanced voice in the community that can best lead change in our criminal justice system. If you advocate for alternatives to prison you must be able to answer the pleas of the victim who fears further attack. If you advocate for higher education in prisons you must be able to answer the parent who says "I cannot afford to send my child to college". Think of any criminal justice system improvement that is worth discussing, and you should be able to identify an opposing stakeholder (with legitimate arguments).
Law and justice is an incredibly complex part of our culture. Uneducated advocates for any cause often do more harm than good. You have students that bring experience and firsthand knowledge of the criminal justice system. Coming to understand that the CJ system is a reflection of the collective desires of our society is the first step towards creating strategic, intelligent, meaningful change.
I really enjoyed the conversation yesterday. I know you and your class will enjoy Cheryl Strange next week.
My personal values around the criminal justice system have evolved greatly over the years. I spoke yesterday about society's decision to use prisons as a method of addressing criminal behavior obligates us (societal contract) to provide for those we incarcerate, and that we can't abdicate that responsibility to profit making corporations (private prisons). The larger message is that our societal contract should obligate us to give those incarcerated every opportunity to return to the community with some reasonable chance of success. By incarcerating only the most dangerous and focusing our resources on a smaller body of people, we could do a better job meeting our core mission. Correction's role with public safety begins with incarceration, but the long term contribution to public safety is demonstrated by those that exit the criminal justice system and don't return to crime. I'll now put away my soap box.
Those of us working inside the criminal justice system do make positive changes, and I believe that the majority of us in leadership roles want a system that works for everyone - including the criminally convicted. We represent and provide services to so many stakeholders. We have to advocate for all, and that often means small changes, small corrections, small victories. It is a thoroughly educated, balanced voice in the community that can best lead change in our criminal justice system. If you advocate for alternatives to prison you must be able to answer the pleas of the victim who fears further attack. If you advocate for higher education in prisons you must be able to answer the parent who says "I cannot afford to send my child to college". Think of any criminal justice system improvement that is worth discussing, and you should be able to identify an opposing stakeholder (with legitimate arguments).
Law and justice is an incredibly complex part of our culture. Uneducated advocates for any cause often do more harm than good. You have students that bring experience and firsthand knowledge of the criminal justice system. Coming to understand that the CJ system is a reflection of the collective desires of our society is the first step towards creating strategic, intelligent, meaningful change.
I really enjoyed the conversation yesterday. I know you and your class will enjoy Cheryl Strange next week.