G-A P2.o0 IPP'l lq~b /2- Walter Ray accepts challenge South Georgia senator becomes newest Parole Board member F or twelve years Walter Ray worked under the gold Capitol dome, progressing steadily through Senate ranks until becoming president pro tempore. Now, from Parole Board offices across the street, he views the dome with a fresh perspective: as a symbol of his continued service to Georgia and as a reminder that he has truly left home. "The Legislature was a second home to me," he says, "and the people I had worked with for years were like family. The most difficult career decision I've made was leaving that family." When Governor Miller appointed Walter Ray to the Parole Board in March, the senator from south Georgia's 19th district had reached the highest status within the Senate and knew legislative operations in and out. His stepping-stone ascent through the Senate prepared him to step naturally-if somewhat hesitantly-into fulltime state service. "It's hard to leave when you are still fulfilled by your work," he says, "but I feared that one day I might reach a point in my legislative career where I was just holding on and not being challenged. I had hoped I would recognize an opportunity before that time came and then be willing to give up what I knew to accept it. This appointment seemed to be that opportunity." First duty: death case No sooner had Ray arrived at the Board than he was met with a challenge: a death case commutation request. Board members immediately began studying the extensive legal and personal case history of the condemned, meeting with the inmate's attorneys and others, and pondering the life-or-death decision. As Senate corrections committee chairman, Ray witnessed proceedings surrounding executions. "But it's different when the decision is yours," he says. "I realized I was entrusted with the responsibility of serving justice. With that in mind, I reviewed every aspect of the case and felt comfortable with the decision." Indeed, colleagues describe Ray as a person who routinely and naturally looks at issues from all angles and defies attempts to push him into a quick decision. They also describe him as compassionate. NEW BOARD MEMBER WALTER RAY was appointed by Gov. Miller to fill the unexpired term of Tommy Morris, who retired last December. Ray, a Douglas resident and insurance executive, served as senator from Georgia's 19th districtfor 12 years until his Board appointment in March 1996. That compassion causes Ray to shudder while reviewing vivid crime descriptions contained in inmate files. And, as a former school teacher, he is saddened by reports of deprivation and abuse suffered by many children who grew up to commit those offenses. "It's just so difficult to believe the climate some children are raised in," he says. "About 99 percent of these Walter Ray's legislative criminal justice background includes: Chairman, Senate Corrections Committee Member, General Assembly Criminal Justice Improvement Council Senate Task Force on Violence in the Media National Conference of State Legislatures Criminal Justice Committee Action teams for anti-drug education programs 1993 Recipient of Legislative Service Award from the Georgia Municipal Association (for his efforts to increase training for police officers) inmates had problems in childhood and few had any outside intervention. Some of them could have been easily swayed to the other side if someone had been there for them. I am reminded of how important it is to reach children early." Law enforcement experience heightens safety concern His concern for the next generation does not blind him to the current reality of danger. As a former Georgia State trooper who often confronted unpredictable people and unexpected situations, he understands the community's anxiety about crime. His experience also increases his" concern for the safety of the Board's parole officers who regularly make unannounced visits to parolees in dangerous neighborhoods. One of his goals is to help safeguard the officers who safeguard the public. But Ray is careful not to add too many projects to his agenda. "In the Senate, I was always keyed up," he says. "I had one meeting after another. Sometimes on weekends I got 30 to 40 phone calls. The pace was hectic. I simply was unable to follow through on many things I wanted to do. Here I want to get involved in depth with projects and complete them." W ith a panoramic window view of the Capitol as a backdrop, Ray reflects on his most difficult career decision: "I was comfortable in the Senate. I felt I did a good job. I really didn't know how I would feel coming into this position-starting over, really, in a situation I only knew about as an outsider. "But then I realized that I am a people person and in one way or another I've always wanted to respond to people's needs. That's been the common thread in all my work-as a teacher, law enforcer, or legislator. The Parole Board also deals with the human element, but in a new and challenging way. Now I can say it feels right being here." I To cut recidivism: new project gets parolees "street-ready" Ele officers know from experience what research proves: the single most important element in parole success is steady employment. Parole officers also know that many parolees will never work at anything better than a series of temporary, low-paying positions unless they learn not only how to get a good job but how to keep it. Clearly the criminal justice system must intensify efforts to prepare the offender not just for getting a paycheck, but for entering a lifetime of responsible employment. Project targets offenders early "We've got to bring a better pack- age to the employer," says Parole Director Chuck Topetzes. "Georgia parole is now developing a project modeled after a successful Texas plan which coordinates efforts between criminal justice agencies and the labor department to produce a more employable parolee. "Our initiative-Parolee Training and Employment-will target eligible offenders while still in prison. We'll look at the inmate's vocational skills and deficits and then begin a customized plan to enhance his or her employability. Some of the goals may be to upgrade educational levels or to complete job-interview classes, but we will also focus on essential but often overlooked details, like making sure birth certificates, social security cards, and other forms are in order before the offender goes to the first interview. "Depending on which route the offender takes through the systemparole, straight discharge from prison, work-release center, or probation after prison, timelines and contributors to the offender's employment plan will differ. However, the goal is the same: to get the offender into a positive, structured, contributing position in society as soon as possible. Parolees who remain employed are parolees who pay taxes and meet their financial obligations like the rest of us." Crime prevention is goal "Getting parolees "street-ready" is not an altruistic project," says Field Services Director Jim Bralley. "It is a cost-effective method of crime prevention. Preliminary results show the Texas project has produced a 9 percent reduction in recidivism. With a large prison population such as that of Texas- or Georgia- these percent points translate to millions of dollars saved from prison budgets. "We are shifting from the concept of just getting the parolee hired on a job to preparing him or her to succeed on the job." Coordination is key to success Although criminal justice agencies and the labor department have historically worked together to produce an employable offender, the current project differs significantly, according to Ronnie Lane, director of the parole project. "It will target eligible offenders earlier in the system, tightly struc- ture short and long-term goals for each offender, raise the definition of "successful" job placement, and ensure continuity of services from participating agencies," he explains. By smoothing the transition from prison to community the project will help neutralize some of the debilitating insecurity many parolees experience during their first few weeks of freedom. Advanced computer technology will aid communication among participants as well as simplify program evaluation. The Board's research division will track offenders to see if the project delivers the expected recidivism reduction. Parole officers know what works While parole officials construct the grand-scale project, parole officers continue their private or office-centered efforts to get their parolees placed with good employers. Most officers have a tried-and-true list of favorite employers who treat parolees fairly and who offer honest appraisals of the parolee's deportment and productivity on the job. Parole Officer James Williams, assistant chief of the Milledgeville district, explains the transformation that often occurs when parolees feel they are valued employees of respected companies: "With most of the jobs they've had, they could never imagine starting a savings account, taking a real vacation, or being any better off in 10 years than they are now. Suddenly, when they see a way to improve their station in life, they develop more patience, more optimism, and feel connected to the mainstream. Once they feel that sense of control over their future, they're set on the right track." I STARTING OVER (above) -After serving time for selling drugs, this Carrollton parolee moved back home with his parents, got a job at an auto-repair shop, and enrolled in Carroll Tech to study auto repair. After saving money and earning a scholarship because of his good grades, Sholom became a full-time student who should have no trouble finding excellent employment when he completes his studies. Carrollton Chief Parole Officer Tony Newman says that Sholom's resolve to change his lifestyle must be zealous because he still lives close to a drug environment and many of his former associates. Sholom says, HI was a greedy and selfish person before. I wanted nice clothes and a nice car. And I was angry when I went to prison. Now I go to school from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and then study from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. I help out at an auto shop. I love this work. Employers come to the school and look for good students. They find me and say, 'I hear you're doing good.' Not long ago I got stopped at a routine road check and the deputy congratulated me on my school work. I'm a different person." 2 GEORGIA PAROLE REVIEW EMPLOYERS AS PARTNERS IN SUPERVISION - (above) Milledgeville Assistant Chief Parole Officer James Williams checks on a parolee at Eatonton's Horton Homes, which employs more than two dozen parolees in its huge mobile home factory. To minimize disruptions parole officers rotate turns checking on all parolees working at the plant. (Above, left) Security Chief Roland Sims radios the foreman ofthe next parolee Williams will visit. Employment checks may consume an entire afternoon but parole officers consider the time well spent. Williams says, HThe rules are strict here, but fair. If they stay with Horton, I know they're doing good offthe job, too." Horton Homes is the type of employer parole officers wish were in every community. While providing opportunities for parolees and working easily with parole officers, they also announce in unequivocal terms the difference between good and bad work behavior. For example, if employees fail one drug screen, they are fired. On the other hand, generous monthly and annual bonuses reward employees who report for work every day on time (and not a minute later for any reasQn). WOMEN NEED STRONG SUPPORT NETWORK - Female parolees have an even more difficult time than males in finding good jobs. Parolee Tina (below) works in a Lafayette restaurant and, according to her employer, is enthusiastic and dependable. Many female offenders are unable to attend school to upgrade their education or vocational skills because of child care problems. Typically they also suffer from lower self-esteem and fall more easily into dependent, passive roles than male offenders. They need strong family or community support to establish career plans which will help them advance beyond the usual minimum-wage job. 3 GEORGIA PAROLE REVIEW THE AFTERMATH OF CRIME Inmates at Washington County Prison listen to an Augusta woman talk about the ongoing repercus- sions ofher daughter's murder on her and on the victim's young daughter. Prison counselors work with local victim advocates groups to arrange meetings between victims and inmates participating in the special prison program dealing with the impact ofcrime. Although women inmates usually express more emotion than their male counterparts, they often deny the widespread and long-lasting effects oftheir crimes on others, including their own friends and family. Counselor Sue Mickens says that discussions following victims' presentations can be emotionally charged as the women acknowledge how their behavior and subsequent incarceration victimized their own families, especially their children. Inmates face impact of their crimes , ' F o r men to cry in prison is unthinkable," says Corrections Director of Victim Services Helen Scholes. "Inmates won't show they hurt in any way nor will they admit they've hurt others. When we introduced a course at Valdosta State Prison dealing with the impact of crimes on victims, we were hesitant to predict the outcome. Then, when inmates completing the course asked to repeat it, we knew we had something." The weekly two-hour course, which runs for 12 weeks, started as a pilot project at the Valdosta prison in 1994 and has been running in consecutive sessions since. Now three other prisons, including one for women, have joined the pilot project. Soon all Georgia prisons will include the course as part of their mandatory core curriculum for inmates. Corrections evaluators will track graduates to determine the program's effect on recidivism. Discussions create atInosphere of disclosure Scholes says the first session disturbed some inmates who asked to be excused because they were "uncomfortable." "Counselors told them they were supposed to be uncomfortable," Scholes says. "They were uncomfortable because they were having to feel some emotion for the first time in a long time, and they feared being vulnerable." During the sessions, as victims or victim advocates talk about their per- sonal experiences, counselors often witness recalcitrant inmates open up. Sometimes, according to Scholes, they reveal closely guarded private information-like the inmate who disclosed that his mother had been raped. "It can start an avalanche of painful and frightening emotions for offenders," says Scholes. "Many inmates have so depersonalized their own feelings that they can see themselves, as well as others, as objects, not people. Feeling their pain and the pain of others allows them to start functioning as human beings again. No victimless crimes "N0 one escapes confrontation in this course," Scholes says. "Property crime offenders who may understand the impact of assaultive crimes often rationalize their own crimes as victimless. 'Oh, they have insurance-no one got hurt,' they say." "They have a rude awakening," Scholes explains. "Course leaders assign inmates to fill out insurance claim forms and to figure out how to buy groceries and get to work without a car. Inmates learn that not everyone has insurance. By the end of the session they say things like, 'I never realized they [victims] have to go through so much stuff.' " Community involvement is essential to mission Counselors at each institution prepare the curriculum using local resources. Scholes says this approach creates a bonding between community and prison. The community learns more about the criminal justice system while improving it. And prison staff, who are also members of the community, develop ownership in the program. "The program only works when there is a 100 percent buy-in by the staff," Scholes says. Confrontations create unexpected outcomes According to course leaders, the program empowers victims by allowing them to walk into a prison to face their own entrapment in fear or griefand then leave, freer, hearing prison gates slam shut as walk away. "The program is full of surprises for everyone," Scholes says. "Victims who enter the program with trepidation, anger, and who have formed an image of an unfeeling, less-thanhuman perpetrator are sometimes oddly affected by their visits to prison. Some linger after class to talk to inmates. Having an impact on offenders is very healing for victims," Scholes says. Meanwhile, many inmates anticipate the arrival of victims with dread. "They expect victims to release their anger on them and yell at them to burn in hell," Scholes says. "Inmates are unnerved when they hear instead: 'You have done a wrong to others and to yourself. Now create something positive with your life.' " Scholes believes the program works so well because it gives something valuable to all participants and "it feels good." "It just flows naturally," Scholes says, "overlapping and weaving into what we are all trying to accomplish. It keeps spreading because it's the right thing to do. We know it's the right thing when victims, staff, and inmates ask for it." I GEORGIA PAROLE REVIEW is published by the State Board of Pardons and Paroles Fourth Floor, East Tower Floyd Veterans Memorial Building 2 M.L. King, Jr., Drive, S.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30334 Garfield Hammonds, Jr. Chairman Bobby Whitworth Vice Chairman Timothy E. Jones Member Jim Wetherington Member Walter Ray Member Charles J. Topetzes Director of Parole Scheree Lipscomb Director of Public Affairs Marsha Bailey Editor Copyright 1996 by State Board of Pardons and Paroles. Permission is granted to reproduce text from GEORGIA PAROLE REVIEW provided attribution is given, with the exception that this permission does not extend to any material copyrighted by others. Photographs may not be reproduced except by permission. The editor welcomes suggestions and comments. 4 GEORGIA PAROLE REVIEW