Letters from the Inside, Barton Corbin, #3

I recently read an article in Mother Jones magazine about how an idea to improve prisons is to give prisoners actual jobs. I can't find the exact article but it discussed having prisoners work to do something "green" like raising bees or doing some sort of farming. It also talked abour prisoner resources like www.pen.org which I found fascinating. I think that art should come out of whatever dire and horrific circumstances. Something awful happens, whether you do it or it is done to you, and there should be a move to make something artistic out of it. Take all that bad energy and try to rework it into something beautiful. So I sent this article to the inmates I write to and this letter from Barton Corbin is in response to that letter.

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Hey Kelly,

Thank you for the article. I think it is just another example of reason and common sense being applied to a situation instead of relying on initial emotional response and biases. There are few opportunities for positive expeirence in the Georgia DOC, especially at the institution that I am in now. What is offered here is more religious based self-help programs and GEDs, no technical or trade instruction. [Ed.: Bart is a dentist by trade.] My understanding is that some is offered in other institutions but is really rationed for those with little time or time left. Georgia fancies itself the "buckle' of the bible belt and acts accordingly. It is truly a "poser" system. I am told we are the only or one of the only state remaining that fails to pay something to its prisoners. The industries here are not subject to fair trade practices, etc. We are not talking about a lot of money here; just a small amount to make someone a little comfortable and not be such a burden on their supporters. That has a dramatic effect on the self-esteem of inmates and decreases the incident of security concerns for there are less times of stealing; strong-arm robbery, gang attack, attack on officers, etc. We just had another prisoner beat to death by inmates the other day. I know that is 2 if not 3 in the last 3-4 months. The guy was a historical mental health case and warnings were given. There is a huge mental health population in the system where they are dumped. Overcrowding is a, and was prior, a serious convern and is more so now with the closings of more prisons, jails and transition centers due to the economic situation. Some were old and should have been closed long before, but Georgia abhors letting people be released early (or at all) and just pay the fines charged them by the Feds because it is cheaper than correcting the problem. I am in a new building now and it already violates occupancy standards.

I, as you know, work in the optical department. the staff there really has no concept of running a business. They are now nickel and diming all these little ares to increase production that will have minimal effect on the present levels. One hs to 1) increase accounts and 2) pay prisoners. They have lost contracts with the other states DOCs for that reason. Georgia always thinks everyone else is wrong, but if I had 49 witnesses against and 1 for, they would laugh me out of a courtroom. One rule of capitalism is you will not accomplish efficiency or innovation through a coerced work force. This is simply warehousing prisoners for a per-head dollar count for the industrial/prison complex. No real change occurs in an area unless their pocket books are effected. That's true here. Not only that, we are not credited good time or provided special priveleges either, as that article said, boredom is the worst thing about being in prison. There is so much wasted man-power in prison due to "catch-all" excuses like "logistics" and "security" that could be put to good use on self-sustaining cost-cutting and public works projects while still providing training for alternatives for people who will be released.

Even if one is of a "lock 'em and throw away the key" mentality, they have to know that at least 80% of the population is being released at some time, as that prisons stated, do you want a stronger, smarter, angrier criminal or someone who can avoid being a ward of the state? When they removed the college courses and ceased allowing inmates with consideration there on details outside the gates, they were penny-wise and dollar ignorant. No consideration is really given to behaviorial and institutional history. There is no incentive, besides authority's abuse, to do right. That's why these young kids are so crazy in here now. The fed pays well. As soon as you tell these populace "Ok, but we'll have to raise taxes for more prisons, etc." they say "oh no." They are like children; have your cake and eat it too.

With the new emphasis Obama has made on environmental and renewable energies programs, now is the time to institute these things to insure employability and reduce repeat offenders. Holding people as long as you can is not justice or good sense and hiding behind God without practicing the doctrines is a fraud. But such is the game here, what is also hypocritical is that for the most part you are given no relief for the faith initiative programs. that are recognized. "Mercy for me, justice on everyone else." is the philosophy practiced here, or the church rosters till the camera stops rolling.

Again, I am opinionated. But honest to a fault. I'll quit here. I hope you are doing well and that things are coming together. May your trip have been a good one, too.

Bart