Programming
By Brenda Payne
In the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the inmates closer to their release date are the only ones who qualify for programs. It’s true the FBOP does offer a plethora of amazing classes. However, to qualify or gain entrance to these opportunities you must be 18 months to your release date; the rest of us with freedom not yet on the horizon will go on a wait list.
Everyone in the system could benefit from the classes offered, even more the inmates with longer sentences. The long timers are usually the ones who need the incentive, who could also return to our community sooner than anticipated, and due to the outdated rule will be without rehabilitation. My solution: equal opportunity programs. I am currently serving a 170-month sentence, but because of my out date, the eligibility to participate has been forfeited. Let’s say a motion gets granted, or if a bill passes that applies to me or someone with a similar or greater than sentence, then freedom could be around the corner—yet we have been cheated out of a vocational, counseling, or schooling that would reduce the recidivism rate.
Upon my sentencing my judge stated “that though all the other systems have failed me, the FBOP and its programs will not fail me”. Still, their programs for people with excessive sentencing are unattainable. I have been on the dental routine care list five years to get a cleaning, four years for the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), similarly with college courses—nonexistent.
D. Ferguson has been incarcerated for 19 years and only has two programs to show for it, and those were completed before they started enforcing the release date rule. There is a multitude of women who have filed motions that could result in time reductions. Bills get passed that women like Ms. Ferguson and myself could qualify for returning back to society without any rehabilitation like it’s promoted by the FBOP mission statement, and it could be detrimental to everyone involved, to society as a whole embracing people back in the same shape they were locked up under or even in worse mental and physical states.
The way the system views it, it is their priority to focus on the adults stepping out to freedom, when in fact the ones being released could better utilize the reentry programs that are available in here and the ones available out there. The limitless opportunities in this second chance country are immeasurable; why not offer them that opportunity versus tying up our class roster when their minds have already checked out to freedom.
Being able to take the release date out of the sign-up sheets makes it fair for all incarcerated without prejudice or bias. It is very beneficial for everyone to have an even chance until our day comes, whether it is in a few months or years from now.
No Comments