NCJ Number
166464
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 58 Issue: 2 Dated: (April 1996) Pages: 80,82,84
Date Published
1996
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Corrections leaders must organize the statistics and evidence which show that it is cost-effective to have rehabilitation programs in correctional facilities and develop community-based alternatives for nonviolent, first-time offenders.
Abstract
In his efforts to enact legislation with realistic rehabilitation, Sen. Arlen Specter (the author of this article) first introduced legislation to this effect in 1981. As chairman of the District of Columbia Appropriation Subcommittee, he provided leadership in allocating some $22 million for rehabilitation, job training, and literacy training. These funds have not been maintained, however, since the District of Columbia has faced enormous problem. The Congress has established in the Department of Education the Office of Correctional Education, and the 1994 Crime Bill contains a provision that Sen. Specter offered as an amendment for the Office of Correctional Job Training and Placement, in an attempt to improve the correctional process. There is a significant amount of evidence that supports the view that it is cost-effective to put money into literacy training and job training. There are not enough studies, however, that would place such evidence in a political context to persuade the Congress that it is cost-effective to spend money on such rehabilitation programs. There is not much sentiment among politicians to help inmates, but if evidence of the value of rehabilitation can be organized and presented in the context of helping law-abiding citizens and being cost-effective, then there is a good chance appropriations will be forthcoming for rehabilitation efforts.