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- College Graduation
In a recent graduation ceremony of Grace College, David Dragon was the only inmate to receive his bachelor’s degree with a perfect 4.0 grade point average. David works in the Education Department at the prison, teaching inmates the intricacies of the computer world. He has just turned 60 years of age. He is an example that it is never too late to learn. Moreover, for many years, he has been a positive force for the prison and an inspiration to his fellow man.
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A new rehabilitation initiative
J. David Donahue, Commissioner of Corrections for the State of Indiana, announced the implementation of a faith and character –based reentry initiative which is currently in nine Indiana facilities. The emphasis of this voluntary initiative focuses on strengthening spiritual, moral and character development as well as life skills. For many, this program will be the basis for reentry into the community.
The Commissioner is confident that the results of the faith-based and character-building program will change the lives of the participants.
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"It's Time To Change The Law"
The Parade magazine, a Sunday supplement to newspapers, recently had an article written by Senator Jim Webb who is in his first term after distinguished service in Vietnam among others. His article talked about our criminal justice system which he called a national disgrace. He went on to indicate that with a incarceration rate five times larger that any other country could only result from two causes. Either we are the most evil country in the world or our criminal justice system is all screwed up. He opted for the latter cause.
He is calling for a national commission to be established to study the criminal justice system, including the matter of sentencing, prisons, prisoner release support, and alternative remedial assistance programs.
A commission to study and make necessary changes in our criminal justice system is needed. Let us hope and pray that this happens.
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A need for change seen
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Former ND law school dean talks about his work with prisoners, the correctional system.
By ALICIA GALLEGOS
Tribune Staff Writer
SOUTH BEND — The Rev. David Link knows it's not considered popular to be in favor of those incarcerated.
But the chaplain and former University of Notre Dame law school dean says his work with prisoners has cemented his belief that a certain percentage of inmates deserve a second chance at freedom.
Link, who was keynote speaker Thursday at the God Cares luncheon, addressed the often unmet needs of prisoners as they re-enter society and ideas on how the current re-entry system could be improved. -
The luncheon, held at Ivy
Tech Community College, was hosted by God Cares, a local
re-entry and recovery program that provides programming
for men returning from Indiana state prisons and jail.
Link, deputy director of religious and community services for the Indiana Department of Corrections and a recently ordained Catholic priest, was one of two speakers during the gathering.
The large luncheon crowd, made up of Notre Dame alumni, attorneys, judges and community members, listened intently as Link put a "human face" on prisoners, recalling his experiences with men who he said have turned their lives around.
"What makes me angry is people say the 'prison population,' as if they're all the same," he said.
Link believes the problem with the current system is that prisoners are evaluated for re-entry based on charts or their history and not on progress or failures while incarcerated. Some inmates may be ready for the outside, while their files say otherwise, Link said, and vice versa.
"The parole board is looking mainly at files, not at the person," Link said. "It may be a very different person you're talking about."
When finally released, a lack of assistance also affects most inmates, Link said, leading to a needlessly high recidivism rate. Link listed six factors inmates need upon returning to society — a life's purpose, an education, a job, a decent place to live, transportation and a support group.
Statistics show recidivism rates for prisoners are close to 75 percent, while those who acquire a college degree in prison have a 5 percent recidivism rate.
Support groups are also imperative for former prisoners so that they don't bounce back to their old ways of life.
"It's not going to be rosy when they get out," Link said. "They need a support group or they're going to be right back (where they started)."
The longtime Notre Dame law school dean said he knows the majority of prisoners belong in prison, but stressed that it's that small population of overlooked inmates who merit a better review.
Link would like to see a regional re-entry board put in place consisting of prison counselors, chaplains and others who can more accurately evaluate an inmate's prison time.
