Reality Check
By Isaac Dodd, Executive Director
New Directions
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In the 21st century, the psychology of crime and
punishment is not the same as it was intended to be. Though, if you break the
law you should be held accountable for your actions. But in today's society, the
crime rarely fits the punishment and vice versa. The penal system has become big
business. The philosophy of rehab has been removed and replaced with a passion
for incarceration. Because prison is now a "for-profit" business, at the tax
payer's expense, it cost on/around $20,000-$28,000 to house an inmate for one
(1) year. We now have prisons privately owned by private corporations. Big
corporations are receiving state and federal funding for the upkeep of the
prisons and halfway houses. Who would have ever thought that the day would come
when private companies would own prisons and halfway houses? The inmate has now
been dehumanized and simply looked at as a commodity.
The prison population continues to grow at an
enormous rate. Men and women are going to prison and getting released only to
return again, as a result of bad decision making, lack of intervention, and lack
of support. The recidivism rate is just as high as the incarceration rate. The
state of Colorado prison population is presently on or around 20,293, the
probation rate is 58,108 and ranking 25 in the violent crime rate nationally.
Please note, the state of Colorado residence population is on or around
4,665,177.
And did you know that upon an inmate's release from
prison, they are required to pay for drug and alcohol classes. As well as any
other classes deemed necessary by their parole/probation officers, for whom they
are charged a monthly fee to check in with. On top of that they are charged
monthly rent if they are placed in a halfway house. Now they have to do all this
without any source of income to which to pay for these classes or the monthly
fees. And if they miss one payment or class, they are considered in violation of
their parole/probation. In some cases, that is cause for a person to be sent
back to prison for the duration of their time.
For detailed information
on New Directions, download the
New Directions Brochure
DOWNLOAD
There is a desperate need for a real alternative to
incarceration. New Directions was birthed from this need. We are a community
based organization in Denver CO. Our mission is to engage in reducing the prison
recidivism rate here in Colorado. At New Directions, we have identified some of
the problems within our community that need to be addressed. Some of the
stumbling blocks for an inmate upon their release are: lack of job skills, lack
of education, lack of resources, and lack of accountability. New Directions'
main focus will be on employment, education, job training, housing, mentoring,
and health care. We believe that if these points are promoted and reinforced we
can break the cycle of incarceration.
I ask that you please help New Directions help those
who need a second chance in life. With a donation from you, we can help some one
improve their life and the lives of those around them. We are accepting
financial, clothing, food, and any other donations you may deem necessary for
our mission. Monetary donations can be sent to: New Directions P.O. Box 18923
St., Denver, CO 80218. All other donations can be delivered to 1520 Marion St.,
Denver, CO 80218.
It takes a village to raise a child, even after that
child has grown up. We are trying to save the lives of our children and the
future of us all. Partner with us in becoming a solution to one of the biggest
problems in our community.
Thank you in advance,
Isaac Dodd,
Executive Director
New Directions
1520 Marion St. Denver, CO 80218
Phone: (303) 831-0635 Cell: (303) 217-6524
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