People design prisons and can be changed by them. Accomplishing that requires an openness to innovation that is largely missing by correctional administrators. That cannot remain an obstacle to proposing changes to the prison environment that enable them to release people who are better off for having been inside the walls. Since momentum for humane prison conditions is not sufficiently coming from the top down, the pressure for change must come from the bottom up. Here is an idealistic vision of a handbook given to individuals on the way to their first prison experience.
Welcome to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
“Having been duly convicted and sentenced to a term of incarceration in the custody of the State of Texas, this is your user’s manual for this next phase of your life. Your sentence will begin in the State Reception and Diagnostic Center. Here you will undergo evaluation and testing that will result in the creation of an Individual Treatment Plan. The objective is to fully assess your individual needs (physical, psychological, emotional, vocational, educational, and spiritual) and thereby create a blueprint that will determine your placement within the correctional system.
As required by Texas law, every able-bodied individual will have a work assignment. Your job will pay you the existing minimum wage set forth by the Texas legislature. The fact of your sentence will not exempt you from the responsibility of paying your own way. That means you pay for room and board and whatever you need. If you choose not to work you will still be provided with the basic needs for life, with earnable amenities. Your experience inside the walls is designed to prepare you for eventual reintegration into society. The length of time you spend in the custody of the State of Texas is determined by three factors: 1: the minimum length of sentence ordered by the sentencing court and 2: the personal responsibility you demonstrate while confined and 3) your ability to have your sentence changed or nullified.
Every effort will be made to place you in a work situation that is aligned with your interests and abilities. While you will earn the minimum wage upon entry, opportunities for increased pay and advancement will be available, just like in the outside world. Similarly, the consequences for negative behavior will depend on the nature of non-compliance and could result in fines, loss of privileges, and increased physical restriction. Opportunities will always be available to promote positive behavior change.
In addition to your work assignment, you will be expected to participate in the personal growth programming set forth in the evaluation completed during entry. Completion of objectives defined in your ITP will enable you to earn credits for earlier parole review. While your freedom has been legally restricted as punishment for lawbreaking, the objective of this facility is, again, to promote positive behavior change. In many ways, the length and quality of your experience inside the walls will depend on how you choose to respond.
Your time inside will, as much as possible, resemble life on the outside. You will be expected to be financially self-sufficient, show respect for your fellow residents and staff, actively engage in assigned programming, and generally demonstrate personal responsibility. Following expectations will increase your privileges and make your life more enjoyable. If you have financial obligations like child support, court costs, restitution, etc., you will be expected to pay them down so that upon release your debts will be as low as possible. Other opportunities to increase your ability to earn money will be made available. Self-reliance is a prime objective and thus financial support from family and friends will be restricted. This will level the playing field between those who have financial support from outside and those who have none.
Your journey will begin with few amenities. Positive behavior on your part will determine the degree to which you upgrade your life. This is essentially the American Dream within the confines of the correctional system. Privileges can be earned and removed. It all depends on your behavior.
If you are one of those who wants to challenge your conviction, a law library will be available, with consultants you can hire, to create legal documents.