TIME OFF and TIME TO PLAY, Two Stories

TIME OFF



According to the Bureau of Prisons, more than 90,000 federal inmates were granted unescorted furloughs in the past three years—mostly for medical reasons. About 13 percent of the prison population qualifies for furloughs each year, though all do not receive them. That is why former Illinois Governor George Ryan’s request for a furlough from prison to be able to visit his sick wife was not unusual and I don’t know why the media made such a big deal about it. What they should have been focusing on is the number of inmates who don’t return from furlough!

Federal prisoners receive handbooks  when they are incarcerated. The rules and regulations for whom is allowed a furlough are very precise.

“Furloughs: A furlough is an authorized absence from an institution by an inmate who is not under escort of a staff member or a U.S. Marshal. A furlough is not a right but a privilege granted an inmate who meets certain requirements. It is not a reward for good behavior. With the exception of emergency furloughs, inmates must be incarcerated at this facility for six months before they may be granted a furlough. In addition, you must have community custody, maintain above average work, quarters and sanitation reports, must have a high school diploma, or have completed the requirements for a GED, or have completed a mandatory period of GED enrollment, be medically cleared, must not have used drugs or alcohol in an institution within the past two years, and must have maintained a minimum of six months clear conduct. In addition, you must have demonstrated significant responsibility regarding your financial obligations and a furlough must not depreciate the seriousness of your offense or create public concern.”

But according to a report issued by Glenn Fine, Inspector General for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Federal prison officials fail to properly keep track of thousands of inmates who are granted unescorted furloughs when they are temporarily released. CNN reported, “Currently, the federal Bureau of Prisons operates the furlough program using manual processes. The investigation found the prison system does not have accessible or accurate data on inmate escapes while on furlough, nor on crimes committed by furloughed inmates. The report sharply criticizes the Bureau of Prisons for failing to implement proposed policy improvements drafted seven years ago. Among the policy changes still awaiting implementation is a requirement to notify crime victims and witnesses when a prisoner is being temporarily released.”

CNN also said, “The investigation reported that the Bureau of Prisons blames the delay in implementing the policy changes on negotiations with the prison union. The bureau estimated that it would take at least seven years to implement the policy changes because of the negotiation process with the unions. Fine said it would be ‘excessive and unacceptable’ to delay until 2017 improvements to the furlough policy.”

So the proposed changes in policy were drafted seven years ago and the Prison Bureau says it will take a further seven years to implement them. Why should it take fourteen years for the government to fix the flaws in the furlough system? The government moves slowly but that amount of time is insane!

TIME TO PLAY

While researching this story and reading the Lewsisburg Federal prison inmate handbook, I came across the section on recreation and was astounded by how many leisure activities the Federal prison in Lewisburg, PA offers to inmates. The description could almost be taken from a summer camp brochure and it makes me mad! Our tax dollars are being spent on guitar and salsa lessons. If one reads the list of activities available, it almost wants to make you commit a Federal crime just for the fun time you would have while incarcerated.

RECREATION

The Recreation Department offers leisure, wellness and structured programs designed to give every inmate an opportunity to participate.

The following is a list of programs that have been offered throughout the year here at Lewisburg.

Leisure Activities: Bike riding (stationary), bocce ball, horseshoes, table top games, pool, ping-pong and weight lifting.

Arts & Crafts: Beads, Crochet, Drawing & Painting

Wellness Programs: CORE training, fitness training, ISSA correspondence courses, Spinning, (ACE Courses) and Yoga.

ACE Courses: Beginner’s Acoustic Guitar class, Beginner’s Crochet class and Salsa class.

Structured Leagues: Spring/Summer Basketball, Bocce Ball, Horseshoes, Sand Volleyball, Soccer and Softball. Fall/Winter Bid Whist, Chess, Dominoes, Flag Football, Ping-Pong, Pinochle, Pool, Softball and Spades.

With all of this available for free ,(plus health care) look for me in a ski mask at a neighborhood bank near you soon!