I mentioned in a prior blog that the ALCATRAZ EAST crime museum just opened an exhibit around a new acquisition. The item is the White Ford Bronco that carried a frantic and suicidal O.J. Simpson during one of the most famous televised car chases ever. For this reason alone, millions will be tuned in tomorrow to O.J.'s parole hearing. But, as you know, there are many other reasons to tune in. I'm going to watch because, tho I'm a dispassionate criminologist regarding most topics, I have a … [Read more...]
Prison life is hard. Outside can be harder. CSP revisited.
Prison life gone bad? I've known, and been a victim of, someone who has reoffended (relapsed, recidivised. Recidivism refers to committing a crime after being "rehabilitated" in prison and released. When it comes to prison life, recidivism is a big "No No." It is to everyday taxpayers, to new and old victims, to ideologues supporting prison reform, and to criminologists like me who study this sort of thing. Recidivism is a sign of corrections failing to "correct," a sign that … [Read more...]
Prison life 101: Help adjusting to life outside.
Despite America's current turn to the political right, there is still momentum in the US to reduce the number of inmates in prison—for financial as well as "fairness" reasons. That means a lot of inmates—mostly nonviolent offenders—will be soon confronting life outside cell bars and perimeter walls. They often falter making the adjustment from prison life to "freedom." We can expect a good deal of recidivism in the future in the US.. We're also entering a new era of Federalism where … [Read more...]
Prison rehabilitation: Turning zeroes into heroes?
A recent article about carcerite, “prison syndrome,” is especially interesting in that it gives insight into the prison system in Italy. While bedeviled with overcrowding, just like the US, Italy has some "inspired" prison rehabilitation programs that're worth knowing about.However, the main reason I'm posting today's blog is to make us aware of the gamut of thinking about "prison rehab." What do you think of the comments below in response to the "prison syndrome" article?Mary Phillips … [Read more...]
What’s different about Joaquin Phoenix besides his cleft lip?
It's not just his 'facial difference! Denies his Cleft Lip Actually, Phoenix has created controversy about his lip. He says something--but not a "cleft"--just happened when his mother felt pain at one point during her pregnancy. (Fellow actor Stacey Keach "owns" his cleft.) If "something happened to Phoenix' mom, this had to have been around the 6th week when most cleft lips and palates form. Many doctors feel that his famous scar is from a microform cleft lip, also known as a "forme … [Read more...]