Where I Stand — Jackie Crawford: Change in philosophy

Thursday, Aug. 30, 2001 | 8:51 a.m.

Editor's note: In August Where I Stand is written by guest columnists. Today's writer, Jackie Crawford, is director of the Nevada Department of Corrections.

NEVADA'S STATE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM has received considerable attention lately, beginning with the governor's appointment of new management last year, followed by a legislative change this year, from a prisons system to a department of corrections.

As director of that system, I have made an effort to open the system to review, to include those from inside and outside the department in our planning and activities, and to respond honestly to questions and concerns. The department is faced with two distinct objectives: We must ensure the safety of our communities, while simultaneously ensuring the well-being of the inmates. Successfully accomplishing these two things is only possible with the assistance and trust of the public.

A number of positive things have occurred in the Nevada correctional system in a relatively short period of time. Gov. Kenny Guinn understood and communicated the kind of system he believed Nevada and its citizens wanted. With Senate Bill 4, the 2001 Legislature set the new course by establishing the Nevada Department of Corrections to replace the Prisons Department. The Legislature also passed related legislation that allowed us a change in our program philosophy and funding, and added inmate treatment and programming for a more balanced approach.

A name change to the Department of Corrections aligns Nevada with most other states, opens communication with supporting organizations nationally, and presents more federal funding opportunities. Internally, the name change broadens the department's mission. In addition to operating prisons and honor camps, the department will now join with the courts to conduct front-end diversion, such as drug court, and will partner with agencies that assist offenders as they return to the community.

As the Department of Corrections, this agency will also seek accreditation with the national association. Accreditation of correctional institutions brings status to the department and ensures operation of facilities according to national standards. Accreditation adds significant professionalism for staff, reduces lawsuits from prisoners, and generally assures constitutional operations. This results in a safe environment for both staff and offenders. The Legislature funded the accreditation of two institutions in this biennium.

The direction for the department in the coming years is to make the system as cost-effective and efficient as practical while maintaining safe and constitutional operations. We have also set a goal to provide improved skills and opportunity for inmates who transition into Nevada's communities. What, specifically, will Nevada see in the future?

* A facility will be designated for young adults, with programs and structures specific to their needs.

* The Southern Desert facility will be designated as a program facility to assist inmates in their preparation for release.

* There will be more community-based housing for low-risk drug offenders. This will free higher security beds for those offenders from whom we must protect the community.

* Community relations committees will be established to meet with corrections officials on a quarterly basis, providing input into the department and receiving department progress reports.

To accomplish our program goals with inmates, we will implement therapeutic community programs in two institutions. These are intense treatment programs for inmates with a history of drug and alcohol abuse. They are full-time programs with facility operation designed around the treatment structure.

We will also revise our classification process so that we can take full advantage of community-based and transition programs. Internally, the classification system will begin to break down the classification of inmates in a manner that will provide more efficient supervision, care and use of facilities and staff. In addition, the new classification system will be modified to group together the youthful, elderly and other specific needs offenders. Unique programs can then be designed to address the needs of each subgroup of offenders.

The level system, which allows the inmate to earn privileges by demonstrating responsible, moral and productive behavior while incarcerated, will be used throughout the department. The system includes a goal of meaningful work for all general population inmates.

Regardless of other classification concerns, those inmates who are not seen as a risk to the community will benefit from a re-entry program that will enable them to work and pay for their housing, supervision, other court-ordered payments and living expenses. The department is working with other agencies to establish such a program.

More than 4,000 inmates are released from Nevada prisons each year. While we have no control over the numbers being released, we can contribute to the level of preparedness of those inmates.

The bottom line for the new Department of Corrections: release an offender with an education, work ethic, job skills and job opportunities to utilize those skills, and the ability to manage both their behaviors and lifestyles.