Editorial: Inmate rehabilitation addressed by prisons

Tuesday, March 12, 2002 | 8:50 a.m.

One of the responsibilities of state prison systems is to try to rehabilitate inmates so that, once they're released, they're able to find a place to live and get a job so they don't return to crime. But in Nevada about 1,700 ex-inmates each year are returned to prison for parole violations, a situation that needs to be reversed. There are some inmates who will never be changed by the best rehabilitation efforts, and it's only a matter of time before they're back in prison. But there are inmates who want a second chance. It is encouraging then that Jackie Crawford, the director of the state Department of Corrections, is willing to try new approaches that she believes eventually will cut down on recidivism.

Last week she suggested a different way to get prisoners the kind of in-prison education that will help them immediately after they leave. Crawford is considering providing inmates with vocational training instead of focusing on getting them a high school diploma alone. Crawford wants to instill in inmates a work ethic so they can succeed in the outside world. In addition, because ex-inmates with addictions are more likely to commit crimes, Crawford has worked to put in place a program that helps inmates who have substance abuse problems. Intensive counseling and supervision, including unannounced drug tests, are part of the drug program for inmates who are chosen to be released early from prison.

It's not only about making sure that ex-inmates don't commit crimes once they get out -- although that's the primary goal. Money also is an issue. About one in every 10 dollars in Nevada state government's general fund budget is allocated to the prisons -- $212 million likely will be spent in the coming fiscal year. Some of that money saved from the prisons budget -- if rehabilitation is a success -- could be used for other important programs, such as education. An emphasis on rehabilitation, instead of just warehousing inmates, could pay dividends for all Nevadans.