Public Policy Position on Penal Reform
Background
Despite attempts by various people and organizations, and because of lack of funding and low priority, New Mexico has had, until recently, a typical prison system with harsh sentences, inhuman conditions, little rehabilitation for most inmates, a parole and probation system characterized by inadequately prepared and overworked personnel without performance guidelines and a prison personnel lacking adequate professional training and experience.
Following the tragic riot of 1980 which resulted in so many deaths and injuries, along with the destruction of much of the Penitentiary, many church and lay groups began to work actively for penal system reform. Although certain improvements in approach have occurred, we still await significant change. Passage of the Community Corrections Act in 1983 provided a major opportunity for a system of alternatives to incarceration for certain adult and juvenile offenders.
Pressing Need
Among current pressing needs confronting the New Mexico penal system are:
- Implementation of viable community corrections programs, adequately funded, with participation of citizen volunteers on residential and non-residential basis.
- Expanded diversion programs as alternative to institutionalization.
- Pre- and post-release programs for incarcerated criminal offenders.
- Institution of a system of sentencing guidelines which will reduce the disparities in the severity of sentencing, make most efficient use of available.
- More adequate funding for prison industries so implemented that meaningful and employable skills are made available to all prisoners; pay to prisoners such that restitution to victims of their crimes, budgeting skills and acquisition of personal financial responsibility are made possible.
- Legal provision for victim restitution by a combination of perpetrator contributions and a state restitution fund.
- Major reconsideration of the determinate sentence approach.
- Review of the probation and parole system. Improved criteria for Parole Board membership including requirement of professional training in criminology, psychology and sociology. Upgrading of professional preparation of probation officers; improvements in probation supervisory structure.
- Funding to increase the quantity and quality of educational and psychological services.
Policy Position
The New Mexico Conference of Churches recognizes that the roots of crime lie in the social, political, economic, and spiritual conditions of society which are reflected in individual behavior. We believe that per prisoner cost and rates of recidivism indicate that building more prisons does not get at the roots of the problem. Moreover, building ever more prisons for the housing of ever more offenders is an economic and social disaster. We advocate a halt to this approach and a change of emphasis toward implementation of alternatives to incarceration.
Almost all of those persons who are incarcerated will be released at some time. It is in the interest of society that they become law-abiding, productive citizens. Their prison experience should include not only practical and satisfying ways of supporting themselves economically, but also learning the social skills of decision making and of establishing constructive and humane relationships.
The NMCC will support legislation consonant with these goals and designed to meet the needs defined in the "Background" section of this statement.
