Get On Board (Prisoners: Pt 1)

The California Department of Corrections weekly institution/camps population report, dated March 25, 2015, itemizes some details regarding those incarcerated in California facilities.

110,236 males which is 132.2% occupied based on a 83,382 design capacity

5,565 females which is 146.3% occupied based on a 3,805 design capacity

Both gender demographics are 10% below staff capacity.

A multitude of commentaries can be extracted, elaborated upon, dramatized to augment a plan of action, all based on the weekly or accumulative statistics.

However, there is one aspect of incarceration which in recent times has garnered more attention.

Visitation

The California Department of Corrections website visitation tab has a link to an interesting program “GetOnTheBus.us”, and a downloadable guideline for visitors “staying in touch”. Four interesting comments are strategically placed on the booklet’s cover:

“Family visits help children and parents”

“People who receive visits are more successful upon re-entry”

“90% of the incarcerated come home someday..Who do you them to come home to?”

“Children have a right to see, touch and talk to their parents.”

Dramatic and valid arguments could be made on behalf of the family members of victims, who do not get visitation because their loved one has been murdered or left physically incapacitated beyond their former self. The sensitivity and validity of these sentiments and arguments are not taken lightly. However, the point of this article is bringing attention to private means, the community stepping up, to stop the generational cycle of crime and incarceration. It seems family visitations to the incarcerated may be one path to seeing this through.

Charles Colson’s work with the incarcerated so outweighs the treachery he allowed himself to embrace while working in DC during the 1960’s. He opened the door, which Charles Dickens had 100 years prior talked about also, of the prisoners “other” life so we could remember the necessity of grace when serving out the sentence of justice. Today his “Warden Exchange” and “Angel Tree” programs reap tremendous outcome as well the organizations’ attention to prison overcrowding.

As we approach Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, it is wise to remember the incarcerated in some fashion.

http://www.TheGetOnTheBus.us organization facilitates children visiting their parents. We encourage you to check out their website and follow a grace filled and generous response, if you have the ability.

The links for Chuck Colson’s organization is : http://www.prisonfellowship.org http://www.colsoncenter.org/wfp-home