Striving for Redemption

The stories in this book underscore three underlying patterns in California prisons (the Department). For decades prisoners have been deprived of the rehabilitative programs that could help them transform their lives. The institutions that were referred to in this book reveal rampant and consistent pathology, causing harm to the prisoners, and spreading the threat to society by failing to rehabilitate its wards. This book clearly exhibits that prisons are not "cushy" motels, but are dangerous, mismanaged and criminogenic venues that are not only extremely uncomfortable, but inhumane. The idleness, racism, and other maladaptive behavior that seem part and parcel of the culture of California prisons is winked at by guards and implicitly encouraged by the Department. This malfeasance coupled with the lack of rehabilitative programs offers some understanding and reason for prisoner rebellion and violence. Given the nearly two decades of contrasting success that the Honor Yard/Progressive Programming facility has enjoyed, one could conclude with near certainty that prisoners can commit to personal change if offered consistent programs to help them do so. Indeed, it was the prisoners of the PPF who initiated and designed the program. Since 2000, the Honor Yard/PPF has never suffered a racial riot, has maintained a consistently lower rate of violence, and prides itself on a culture of camaraderie and collective rehabilitation. The PPF demonstrates that prisoners want rehabilitative programs and will sincerely utilize them if only given the opportunity.