It’s always a teeth-gritting experience for reform-minded prisoners to see parolees get out and commit new crimes. Their failures are a black eye to the multiplied others who strive against the destructive prison culture that is fostered by a cycle of political showmanship.

Dortell Williams

In contrast there were deadly and resource-gouging racial riots throughout the Los Angeles County jails. There were all out riots at the state prisons in San Diego, Pleasant Valley, Chino – where one officer was killed in an isolated incident – and a number of other penal facilities, all within tragic memory.

But not here in Lancaster. Millions of tax dollars have been saved. Scores of lives improved. And the threat of release from those who come from this volunteer program is greatly reduced.

The legislature had it right when they overwhelmingly passed the bill SB 299, introduced by Sen. Gloria Romero with bi-partisan support, to make such programs available throughout the state. It was the governor who dropped the ball when he vetoed it.

Help him pick it back up by visiting www.prisonhonorprogram.org and www.prisonradio.org/DortellHonorYard.htm before it’s too late.

Contact the author at Dortell Williams, H-45571, A2-103, P.O. Box 4430, Lancaster, CA 93539. 

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