Assaults on prison staff, as reported recently in this paper (June 12 edition) are concerning because they speak to a more insidious problem: Lack of respect.
This state, one that considers itself progressive and caring, has allowed government policy makers to seek solutions to many of our crime issues from a lack of respect for you, me, for the correctional officer, and even for the offender trying to do good time.
A young man who runs from police when told to halt is showing lack of respect. A mother who hides her daughter in a closet and lies when the police come for her is showing lack of respect. An offender who refuses to move when an officer tells him or her to move from point A to B is showing a lack of respect. Teenagers throwing rocks off an overpass is a lack of respect. An incarcerated person punching a correctional officer in the face is exhibiting lack of respect. Two staff members having to be hospitalized while doing their jobs in Monroe is a lack of respect.
These types of incidents are too many to cite (and in some cases the young man had to run, the girl had to hide, but these occurrences are the exception not the rule). Rather, the officer on the street or in the prison is simply trying to do an unpleasant job. They are following rules and guidelines established by government for the safety of all citizens, including prison residents and staff. The workers in Monroe couldn’t have been clearer or kinder in their demands, not for higher wages, not for better benefits, but simply “better safety.”
How does this translate to a lack of respect from Olympia? That is where the breakdown in respect occurs.
Olympia released about 1,000 prisoners early by making drug possession no longer a felony. These offenders were convicted of serious crimes. One does not get incarcerated into one of the four major prisons in Monroe for minor offenses. These hundreds and hundreds of men were to be placed in serious structured outpatient situations.
Were they?
Maybe, as Chris Wright, DOC spokesman, contends that “today’s prisoners are also more likely to enter with more serious drug addictions.” Therefore, we now have thousands of men released early and thousands behaving poorly inside the prisons according to DOC with the same problem: serious drug addiction, making them more likely to commit violent acts in prison, according to THE DOC.
The reader might ask, “how does all this rhetoric tie into ‘lack of respect’”? The lack of respect comes from DOC boldly admitting that, “the DOC is looking for more funding for in-prison Substance Use Disorder treatment as they have been proven to work.” That statement admits that the treatment inside works, but is not yet in place.
He also admits that the current allocated staff model is not enough to fully fund 24/7 posts. But they will ask the legislature for more money sometime in the future.
These admissions show serious lack of respect.
Any citizen who has watched government work knows these kinds of statements are fall-back statements meaning nothing has been done, or will be done, but we are looking at the problem so you will you please be quiet — and then we will spend the money elsewhere. Oh! but consultants are producing a systemwide report. Taxpayers do not want more consultants. Action in the form of extensive drug treatment inside the prisons and out, with severe consequences for not completing such treatment. It is what is called for now.
Dr. Patricia Franklin was a correctional educator employed by Edmonds Community College for 20 years. She has been published extensively in this field, served on an international board for over 10 years and has spoken out on this subject professionally for over 40 years nationally. She knew Jamie Biendl, and had just finished teaching a drama course in the same chapel a short time before Jamie was murdered.
