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Prison Reform: A Solution for True Rehabilitation and Timely Release from Prison

My name is Dave Fisher. I enjoyed a remarkable life as a devoted father to two happy children, a homeowner, and a dedicated engineer at a technology company for 26 years. However, in 2013, I encountered an undiagnosed bipolar disorder that had a profound effect on my life. Despite recognizing changes within myself, I unfortunately did not seek timely assistance, leading to significant outcomes. As a result, I faced three counts of witness intimidation and served a seven-year sentence at the Idaho State Correctional Center.

While incarcerated, I was astonished by the inefficiency of the prison system. I tried my best to understand the system and to be vigilant in finding solutions to truly rehabilitate inmates.

During my time in prison, I worked at the chapel and learned about a lesser-known peer-to-peer program from one of my co-workers. This program combined cognitive behavioral therapy with a 12-Step program which had a profound impact on him. It helped him confront his past (12-Step) and gain control over his thoughts and behaviors (cognitive behavioral therapy), ultimately eliminating his criminal thinking. Three other individuals who were also part of the program and frequented the chapel shared similar success stories of rehabilitation. The program’s psychology-based approach, incorporating cognitive behavioral therapy and the 12-Step program, was pivotal in their transformation.

As every aspect of this proposal is grounded in psychology, I proactively sought and successfully obtained endorsements from three psychologists, ensuring its strong psychological foundation. Furthermore, to ensure its logistical and practical viability within a prison setting, I have obtained an additional endorsement from Bar None, a respected organization located in Idaho committed to raising awareness about prisons, advocating for reform, and offering valuable resources to released inmates.

This proposal suggests a phased approach, starting with a small-scale pilot program for minimum custody inmates utilizing a single tier. Insights gained from this tier will guide the broader implementation across the entire prison. Details of prison-wide implementation are not provided in this proposal but could be developed based on knowledge and experience from the initial tier.

In addition to offering psychology-based components for genuine rehabilitation, this proposal recognizes the importance of timely release for fully rehabilitated inmates. To address this concern, this proposal provides a method for a prompt and cost-effective psychological testing process to evaluate an inmates’ eligibility for early release.

Provide True Rehabilitation Using Cognitive Behavior Therapy and the 12-Step Program

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is defined as a goal-oriented psychotherapy treatment that takes a hands-on, practical approach to solve negative thinking. CBT helps change the way a person feels, thinks, processes issues and would remove criminal thinking in the vast majority of inmates. It is designed to remedy many disorders such as anger, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, PTSD and many others. CBT is so simple it can be done in a self-guided manner according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The use of CBT in correctional settings is recommended by reputable institutions such as the National Institute of Corrections, National Institute of Justice, and Stanford University.

The 12-Step program, widely utilized by organizations such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Al-Anon, and Celebrate Recovery, among others, is implemented in prison settings to address negative aspects of an inmate’s past and foster accountability for their actions. In this program, inmates are required to complete four specific steps, including conducting a moral inventory of themselves, acknowledging the exact nature of their wrongdoings, creating a list of individuals they have harmed, and making amends to those individuals if possible (steps 4, 5, 8, and 9). Inmates would have the option to complete all 12 steps if they choose.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and the 12-Step program are evidence-based programs (EBPs) that have undergone thorough testing in controlled settings. These programs have consistently demonstrated their effectiveness and have been successfully implemented in practical rehabilitation models. For the purpose of this proposal, the combined approach of CBT and the 12-Step program will be referred to as CBT-12.

Through the implementation of the CBT-12 process, not only can the length of an inmate’s incarceration be significantly shortened, but also their successful completion of the program can lead to remarkable positive transformations in their character, fostering law-abiding behavior. This stands in stark contrast to the negative changes that the current system often yields.

In this proposal, a key emphasis is placed on inmates performing the majority of their psychological rehabilitation through interactions with each other. This approach aims to empower inmates to take an active role in their own rehabilitation without relying solely on psychologists, social workers, or case managers on a full-time basis.

Case Manager Qualifications for CBT-12 Implementation

Even though the majority of the rehabilitation process will be performed inmate-to-inmate, the involvement of case managers is essential.

Currently, case managers conduct classes for inmates that are supposed to follow a form of CBT. However, based on personal experience, these classes often lack the necessary diversity and personal attention required to address the underlying issues contributing to an inmate’s criminal thinking. Instead of exclusively conducting these classes, case managers would use this time to frequent and oversee inmate-to-inmate CBT-12 sessions, participating at least once a month. This would ensure the program’s progress and provide guidance to the participants.

The case manager assigned to oversee this responsibility should possess the following qualifications:

In-depth knowledge and understanding of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and the 12-Step program.
Experience in facilitating group therapy or counseling sessions.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively engage with inmates.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and create a safe and non-judgmental environment for participants.
Flexibility and adaptability to work within the prison setting and collaborate with other staff members.
Empathy and compassion to support and motivate inmates throughout their rehabilitation.
Sound judgment and ability to assess an inmate’s character and potential for successful reintegration into society.

Create CBT-12 Pairing Based on Communication Styles and Criminal Sensitivities of Inmates

Upon proposal implementation, inmates would undergo an assessment by a case manager who would develop an individually tailored CBT-12 course outline based on their criminal and personal history. Additionally, inmates would be given two short tests to increase communication compatibility between potential pairs:

Personality Test: This test would determine the individual’s communication style, ensuring they are paired with someone who has either the same or a compatible style.
Criminal Sensitivities Test: This test would inquire about sensitive crimes, such as physical or sexual abuse, to identify if a person may have been a victim or perpetrator of such crimes. For instance, inmates who do not wish to associate with those who have committed sexual crimes would be paired appropriately. This ensures that inmates are paired with participants who are in acceptance of their history.

The implementation of the personality and criminal sensitivities tests would significantly enhance and improve communication between CBT-12 pairs.

One-On-One CBT-12 Details and Confidentiality

Typical CBT-12 sessions could be scheduled Monday through Friday with each session lasting one to two hours per day. During these sessions, inmate pairs would have the flexibility to determine the rotation of mentoring and receiving CBT-12 programming for the day among themselves.

Low-cost portable acoustic panels would need to be purchased, or manufactured in-house, to provide privacy for people undergoing a CBT-12 session.

Inmates participating in the CBT-12 program have the right to request a new partner if they feel uncomfortable with their current pairing at any time. It is crucial to prioritize the comfort and well-being of each individual within the program. Maintaining confidentiality within the CBT-12 sessions is of utmost importance. Any participant who breaches this confidentiality by divulging confidential information about their partner would no longer be eligible for the program. In such cases, notification would be provided to the parole board which could potentially affect their eligibility for parole.

Provide Support for Inmates Experiencing Difficulties in Maintaining a CBT-12 Partnership

In order to accommodate socially challenged inmates that struggle with maintaining a partner for one-on-one sessions, an introductory CBT-12 program would be implemented. It is essential to include these individuals and provide them with the necessary support to eventually transition to standard one-on-one sessions.

Participants in the introductory program would meet for the same duration of one to two hours per day, Monday through Friday, similar to the standard group. However, instead of pairing up in twos, they would gather together in a group format, resembling a 12-Step setting. This open forum would allow them to discuss problematic behavior issues that may be hindering their progress towards participating in a standard CBT-12 session. Inmates that are in the standard one-on-one sessions would take turns leading the introductory sessions. This approach promotes personal growth and a sense of fulfillment as participants actively contribute to the well-being and progress of their peers, creating a group effort towards rehabilitation. The case manager would occasionally facilitate the introductory sessions, providing proper guidance to ensure their effectiveness.

To advance to a standard one-on-one course, an inmate would require majority approval from the participants in the standard CBT-12 groups. While some may have reservations about inmates determining the eligibility of their fellow inmates for the standard program, it is important to recognize that inmates possess a profound understanding of each other and are best suited to make such evaluations. If the standard CBT-12 groups decline an inmate’s request, they would provide constructive feedback on their concerns, and offer suggestions for enhancing their behavior and thinking patterns. Ultimately, the responsibility of determining the membership of individuals in either the standard or the introductory group rests with the case manager.

There would be instances of inmates who do not have a suitable match for a standard CBT-12 partner. They would have the option to attend introductory CBT-12 sessions until a suitable match can be provided.

Determine when an Inmate is Safe to be Released Using Psychological Testing

Inmates need to be released in a timely manner after undergoing rehabilitation. To assess their readiness for release, psychological testing would be conducted at predetermined intervals or after completing the CBT-12 program outlined earlier. The testing would be facilitated using networked computers with psychological testing software. Psychologists would not be required to visit the inmates in person but could conduct video conferencing sessions if requested.

The psychologists would review the results of the psychological testing for each inmate and provide suggestions on whether they are safe to be released into society. They would consider various profiles that could potentially prevent an inmate from being released such as deception, aggression, coercion, impulsivity, deviancy, and negativism.

Determine the Number of Psychologists Needed and their Cost for the Initial Tier

Frequency of Testing: Assume testing would be performed every 3 months.
Psychologists’ Working Days Per 3 Month Period: Assume 13 weeks * 5 days/week = 65 working days
Factor Number of Days Off: 65 working days – 7 total days off for holidays and vacation = 58 days
Total Number of Psychologist’s Working Hours: 58 days x 8 hours/day = 464 working hours per 3 month period
Number of Inmates: Assume there are 100 inmates on the initial tier undergoing the CBT-12 program.
Evaluation: Total time to interview, review and process psychological test results. Assume 2 hours per inmate.
Total Evaluation Time: 100 inmates x 2 hours per evaluation = 200 total evaluation hours
Number of Psychologists Needed = 200 evaluation hours / 464 working hours = 0.43 psychologists (round up to 1 psychologist)
Average Cost for Psychologist: $200/hour
Cost Per Psychologist = $200/hour x 200 evaluation hours x 1 psychologist = $40,000

Conclusion: 1 psychologist would be needed at a cost of $40,000 to evaluate 100 inmates every 3 months.

Conducting extensive psychological evaluations on the initial tier is essential, but the associated expenses make it impractical over an extended period of time. Here are some strategies to reduce costs without compromising the quality of test analysis:

Omitting unnecessary psychological tests: By carefully evaluating the testing battery, tests that do not significantly contribute to the evaluation can be omitted. This approach focuses resources on essential assessments, saving costs without compromising the overall evaluation process.
Incorporate more cost-efficient professionals: Individuals such as licensed mental health counselors could be trained to interpret the psychological tests. Psychologists would then be primarily utilized in special-case scenarios where unique test results are inconclusive or require expert analysis.
Maximize computer-based psychological analysis: Computers could play a significant role in analyzing the test results, potentially providing the majority, if not all, of the analysis in determining an inmate’s readiness for release. This strategy is the most desirable due to its cost-effectiveness, immediate generation of test results, and the ability to provide significant insight in assisting the parole board’s decision-making process. Compared to the current process, which can be limited by the parole board’s inability to accurately judge the character of an inmate, this strategy would be far superior in its effectiveness. By incorporating computers into the analysis process, the parole board can leverage advanced algorithms and data-driven analysis to overcome the limitations of subjective judgment, leading to more objective and informed decisions.

Case managers would be the individuals to identify candidates who they believe are ready for psychological testing and relay this information to the parole board. The readiness of individuals may vary, with some being prepared for testing earlier than others, possibly even immediately. This approach ensures a balanced distribution of psychological testing throughout the tier, avoiding a backlog or overwhelming surge of testing requests toward the end of the 3-month period. Psychological testing should begin around one month after the start of the CBT-12 program in the initial tier. This delay enables case managers to closely observe inmates during one-on-one sessions and identify individuals who demonstrate a strong commitment to the CBT-12 program, exhibit high character traits, and show potential readiness for psychological testing.

Provide a Path of Recovery for Inmates that Fail Psychological Testing

If an inmate fails the psychological testing, their case manager would review the results to identify any specific areas or subsets of CBT that may have been lacking in their previous sessions. The case manager would then direct the inmate to repeat the CBT-12 process with a focus on addressing those specific issues. The repetition of the program would continue until the inmate successfully passes the psychological testing or completes their prison sentence.

Benefits of CBT-12 and Psychological Testing

By effectively rehabilitating inmates, this program would contribute to creating a safer society, as individuals released would have undergone a comprehensive rehabilitation process.
The implementation of this program is cost-effective and would eventually result in long-term savings for taxpayers through the early release of inmates.
By successfully rehabilitating inmates, this program would contribute to a decrease in the prison population, alleviating the strain on correctional facilities.
The incorporation of psychological testing would provide a more comprehensive and detailed evaluation of an inmate’s progress, aiding the parole board in making informed decisions regarding their readiness for release.
Implementation of this program does not require new legislation, making it able to be swiftly integrated into the current criminal justice system.
This program accommodates individuals of all ages, races, genders, and belief systems.
Every inmate, regardless of their crime, would be eligible for this program.
The combination of cognitive behavior therapy and 12-step programs is effective in addressing drug and alcohol addiction, which is prevalent among many inmates.
This program endeavors to instill in inmates the belief that the system is designed to promote their personal growth and success, rather than merely punishing them.
Case managers would enjoy greater job satisfaction by witnessing true positive transformation of inmates under their guidance.
The successful completion of psychological testing could potentially offer a pathway for inmates to have life sentences reconsidered.

Determine the Appropriate Legal Procedure for Releasing Inmates After Passing Psychological Testing

The determination of the appropriate path for an inmate’s release hinges on whether they are serving a fixed time or an indeterminate time. When a judge imposes a prison sentence, they have the option to assign either a fixed time, intermediate time or both. In the case of a fixed time sentence, the convicted individual must serve the entirety of the specified duration while being under the jurisdiction of the judge. However, once the fixed time has been fulfilled and they transition to serving their intermediate time, the authority to release the inmate shifts to the parole board.

If an inmate is serving their fixed time, the prosecution would conduct a thorough evaluation of the psychological test results, consults with any victims involved, followed by a decision to drop the charges and formally request the inmate’s release based on the dropped charges. Subsequently, the court would carefully review the motion and render a decision on whether to grant the release.

In the case of an inmate serving their intermediate time, the parole board would conduct a thorough evaluation of the psychological test results to assess whether it is appropriate to proceed with filing for commutation for immediate release and subsequently seek the governor’s approval.

Incorporate Mentoring by Inmates that have Passed Psychological Testing

After successfully passing psychological testing, the process of filing for release may take a considerable amount of time. During this waiting period, inmates would have the opportunity to further develop their leadership and speaking skills by serving as mentors to their fellow inmates on the tier. This mentoring role not only benefits the mentees but also has a positive impact on the mentors themselves, improving their self-esteem and confidence through the act of helping others.

Mentors would have the responsibility of conducting practical social and life skill classes for their peers. These classes would cover a range of subjects, including parenting, relationships, socializing and friendship, finances, entrepreneurship, and addiction recovery, among others. The mentors would have the flexibility to choose the topics in which they feel the most experienced.

Mentoring classes would be scheduled for at least 15 minutes and take place on two days during the week. However, it is important to note that all mentoring classes would need to be approved by the case manager on the tier.

Incorporate Animals into our Prison System

Introducing dogs and cats into the majority of tiers within the prison system has the potential to significantly improve the mental health and well-being of inmates. Interacting with animals is known to have therapeutic benefits, offering comfort, companionship, and a source of emotional support. Additionally, the demanding nature of the CBT-12 program may place a mental strain on inmates, making it essential to provide them with opportunities to decompress and recover.

To ensure the success of such a program, it would be important to collaborate with local animal shelters. By partnering with these shelters, animals that would otherwise be euthanized can be given a second chance at life while simultaneously benefiting the inmates.

To manage the implementation of the program, a liaison between the animal shelter and the prison would be necessary. This individual would take on responsibilities such as coordinating spaying and neutering procedures for the animals, addressing any medical issues, ensuring vaccinations are up to date, and providing necessary supplies such as toys, carriers, bowls, beds, and food.

It’s important to consider the needs of all inmates, including those who may have allergies or personal preferences that make them unable or uncomfortable to interact with animals. Therefore, some tiers within the prison could be designated as “animal-free” to accommodate these individuals.

While implementing such a program brings numerous benefits, one has to acknowledge that it poses logistical challenges. Therefore, careful planning and gradual implementation would be necessary. Immediate implementation may not be feasible due to the need for proper infrastructure, resources, and staff involvement. However, despite the logistical complexities, the long-term benefits make it a worthwhile endeavor.

Request for Assistance from the Psychological Community and the Media

To ensure the success of this proposal, it is crucial to gain widespread public support. Currently, the majority of people are unaware of the inefficiencies within the prison system, mainly because it doesn’t directly impact their daily lives. However, by increasing public awareness, we can generate greater understanding and garner support for the necessary reforms.

In order to achieve this, the media plays a pivotal role. The judicial system, although significant, can only reach a limited audience. On the other hand, the media possesses immense power and influence as it has the ability to shape public opinion on a large scale. It is essential to engage the media and encourage them to actively incorporate discussions about prison reform into their coverage. By airing this proposal on local news outlets, we can capture the attention and involvement of those individuals who are crucial to launching this endeavor successfully. To achieve this, it is crucial to engage the following individuals to gather for approximately three days to discuss implementing CBT-12 and psychological testing:

Psychologists: Their expertise in psychological assessment and rehabilitation programs is essential in designing and overseeing the CBT-12 program and psychological testing.
State Governor: As the highest-ranking official in the state, the governor’s support and endorsement are instrumental in implementing any significant changes to the prison system and commuting sentences of inmates.
Prison Director: The director plays a pivotal role in managing and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the prison. Their input and guidance are crucial in implementing new programs and policies.
Prison Warden: The warden, responsible for the administration of the prison, will play a key role in implementing the proposed reforms at the facility level.
Members of the Parole Board: The parole board members are responsible for making decisions regarding inmate release and supervision. Their involvement and support are crucial in adopting the proposed psychological testing and release criteria.
Prison IT Support Supervisor: The IT support supervisor will provide the necessary technical expertise and infrastructure to support the implementation of computerized psychological testing systems.
Meeting Organizer
Presentation Specialist

The meeting organizer and the presentation specialist would work closely with the news agency which would eventually announce the guests, details, date, duration and the outcome of the event. All attendees should be encouraged to invite any guests they believe would contribute valuable insights and perspectives.

If this Proposal is Implemented and Successful, the Following Initiatives Could be Considered

Establish alternative facilities and programs to remove mentally ill individuals from prisons, providing them with better living conditions and appropriate treatment while ensuring public safety.
Append the test results of inmates who pass psychological testing to their permanent records, allowing potential landlords and employers to consider their rehabilitative achievements during background checks. This would facilitate their housing and employment prospects.
Implement measures to reduce conflicts and altercations among inmates, fostering a safer and more rehabilitative prison environment.
Gradually transition the current judicial system into a restorative model, emphasizing rehabilitation, reconciliation, and repairing harm caused by crimes. This would foster a more compassionate and effective approach to justice.

Thank You for your Time and Consideration in this Matter

Prison Reform Forum