America has 5% of the worlds population, yet we hold 25% of the worlds inmates. One in every 100 Americans are incarcerated.
Anybody that thinks this is not a business is sadly mistaken. This is a cash cow, and big business in America. Not even just for the jobs, money, and business that they generate. Also all the other people and businesses getting rich and gaining profit do to incarceration. I want to know who owns Keefe Corporation, icsolutions phone company, and access secure pak, jpay and write prisoner.com Maybe I’m crazy, but I wonder where and who they give contributions to politically. Maybe I’ve just watched too much TV. Especially here in the Idaho system (one of the worst in America). They have completely monopolized all of our access to the phone, the way we order food, music, and even charge our family a fee to add money to our accounts through a company called accesscorrections. They do a lot of double charges too. They charge you not only to put it on, but again to use a credit or debit card. It cost $20 just to add $100 to your phone so we can call you. And it used to be it depended on your service to take collect calls etc…Well we can’t dial out unless its through icsolutions. These are just some of the system scams and businesses.
Here in Idaho we have one of the harshest systems in America. The chage I received 15 years for nobody was even hurt at all. I’ve seen worse assaults on reality shows. Specifically little women Dallas where one of them is beating another girl in the head with a pizza pan. I’m currently over 10 years in to a five year sentence. I’m 5 years past my 5 year, parole eligible date. They can’t receive the money per year for me if I’m not here. And all the vendors can’t get rich off of our families if we are not here.
This place is not set up for rehabilitation at all. There are few classes and programs here to better yourself. The one’s they do have are a joke. They force people to take them so they receive that money for them being in the classes.
So at the end of the day I just want people to know, realize and understand that this is a big business. I’m not saying that I haven’t messed up, because I have. But anywhere in any court system is something called proportionality to offense. So at some point we are going to have to look at letting people out of here.
Feel free to look in to some of these things. If I’m wrong, let me know?
James Kelly
DOC #59979
Dear James: While I sympathize with your frustrations, and agree there is Alot of corruption and little rehabilitation in the corrections of any nation, there are some things you might consider:
1) we are over-lawed. In the west governments have by default become the parents to most people under 50. as a consequence, they keep creating rules, like parents, to attempt a smooth running family. Often, these “Time outs” do exceed justification.
2) If corrections worked, there would be no second offenders.
3) Proverbs 29: 18 “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” If we don’t have a plan that is big enough to inspire us, we will default to “easier ways”. Since JFK, what “Vision” has there been in the US to inspire her people?
4) Many other nations use corporal punishment instead of prison time. That basically means some form of public, or semi-public beating. I understand that is quite effective at discouraging repeat offenders, as the punishments become more sever to the point of brutality causing Death.
5) Many countries employ the Death penalty, this too discourages second offenders.
6) Most countries do not allow visits, and inmates live in depraved environments.
7) You did say it was a 15 year sentence. You have now served 10. It may be to your advantage to take as much offered education to show you are ready to fit back into society, and have developed skills that you can employ to earn lawful revenues once released.
I’m sure the people who serve as counselors, guards and administrators have become discouraged at the failure rate the system experiences. I understand on average there is an 80% rate of multiple offenders in the system.
Will You be one of the success stories coming out of the system, or one of its many disappointments?
At the end of the day it’s your choice, not theirs. Take command of your life, be an inspiration to others as one who has overcome.
It won’t be easy, but with the help of God, it is possible.
May you find peace and guidance in you life.