Corrections agency is abysmal failure

Open letter to Gov. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Corrections:

Governor, I give you high marks for leadership, especially in fighting COVID 19. I am writing to urge you to pay that same attention to the crisis in the DOC. To be effective and meet constitutional standards, DOC culture must be transformed from punitiveness to rehabilitation. This is a daunting challenge, and there will be opposition from many sides, but serious and lasting change is needed.

Over 28 years, I have visited most prisons in Illinois and have interacted with hundreds if not thousands of imprisoned and formerly imprisoned citizens. Regardless of who is in charge, nothing changes. Thanks to the heroic efforts of a handful of attorneys, legislators, journalists, dedicated volunteers and correctional staff, minor improvements are made. Sometimes these changes last, many times not. But nothing changes the system that wreaks havoc on the lives of black, brown, and poor people.

Years ago, I believed our system generally got things right but no longer. No one is served by this system, and it can no longer be propped up by the weak claim that it operates on behalf of victims. Most victims of crime do not even seek relief from the justice system because they know it will not provide what they need.

According to our state Constitution, the purpose of sentencing is to return people to "useful citizenship." Over half of released people return. What entity other than a public agency would accept such a dismal record?

Not only does DOC fail; it functions as a killing field. COVID makes this even more clear. I urge you to support legislative efforts to reinstate parole, to provide elderly people in prison with opportunities for immediate sentencing review, to end money bail and to use your power to leave a lasting legacy of decarceration.

Bill Ryan

Westchester