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| Inmate programs offer benefits to prisoners and public |
| By highlandstoday.com |
| Published: 09/02/2009 |
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It sticks in the craw of most law-abiding folks. It runs counter to what our instincts tell us. But for some folks, common sense tells them that it's important to provide jail inmates with services that will help them cope when they eventually get out. In Highlands County, one such program is the Jail Alternative to Substance Abuse program. The program recently was recognized for best practices statewide. That's quite an honor. By the time most inmates are thrown into jail or prison, we're ready to just be done with them. They have stolen from us, made our communities more unsafe and contributed to community fear. Why should we show any compassion? It's understandable why people feel this way. The answer, though, is that these same people are going to be let out of jail or prison one of these days. What we need are former inmates who can better handle life outside of jail and hopefully not reoffend. For most inmates leaving jail or prison, the cards are stacked against them when they re-enter society. It's difficult for many of us to feel sorry for them. After all, they made the choice to break the law. It wasn't society's fault. That's true, but the way our justice system works, people get a second chance, and sometimes a third and fourth. But these people, unless they've committed a serious violent crime, will be back out, living as our neighbors. Read More. |
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