Dear Gene

The Director of the Virginia Department of Corrections, Gene Johnson, gave a speech the other day in which he said the following:



“At some point in time we need to stop locking up people we’re mad at and lock up people we’re afraid of . . .”


http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2010/jul/28/priz28-ar-352503/



WOW! Who would have guessed Mr. Johnson reads my blog (I used the exact same quote a week ago). Knowing the DOC Director is a fan of the blog, I thought I’d write him directly about his speech. So, here goes.


Dear Gene:


I read with great interest your remarks about the current state of Virginia’s prisons. So, Virginia spends too much money locking up nonviolent offenders and not enough on programs to help criminals transition into life after prison. You also said Virginia should stop doling out lengthy prison sentences to nonviolent felons. Brilliant! Problem is, those of us in here knew all that already.


You want to fix the system? Try this – go to the General Assembly and seek repeal of “85%” (in 1994 Virginia abolished parole and instituted that an inmate serve a minimum of 85% of their sentence). Recommend a sliding scale from 20% to 60%. Give inmates an incentive to rehabilitate.


Maybe, just maybe, Virginia could imitate “progressive states” like Mississippi where in 2007 they set nonviolent felon sentences at 25%. Who would have ever thought that Virginia could learn something from Mississippi?


Second, go to the next judicial conference and tell judges to “get real” with their sentences. Yes, I embezzled $2 million. But giving me 30 years, with only 15 suspended, explain that? A man in Richmond who, in a high speed pursuit eluding police, struck and killed a well-known black minister was sentenced to 13 years. A child pornographer was given 8 years. Where is the rationale to justify keeping me behind bars for almost twice as long as a child pornographer?


Mr. Johnson, read the July 22, 2010 Economist (not what you call a “bleeding heart” publication) for an excellent analysis of what’s wrong with sentencing in America and what can be done to change it.


http://www.economist.com/node/16636027?story_id=16636027

http://www.economist.com/node/16640389?story_id=16640389



Urge the Governor to implement restorative justice programs across the board for almost every crime. Demand alternative sentencing for all but violent offenders. And, suggest to the Governor that he begin to use his conditional pardon power with a flourish when judges refuse to give realistic sentences.


You oversee a broken system. $1 billion that could be used for roads, education, poverty and medical care is being used primarily to hold inmates. What does it cost per year to keep me – a low custody, well-behaved, 51 year old inmate locked up? $20,000? $30,000? $40,000? Each year the Commonwealth flushes millions down the “corrections” commode.


You want to fix the system, be creative, be daring.


You want help, just ask. I’m more than happy to go to work at DOC. Oh, I forgot. Convicted felons can’t work there.


All joking aside, Governor McDonnell and you could bring real change to corrections and make Virginia a leader in prison reform. Have faith and go forth. The time is now “And the people said Amen!”