Although punishment serves to deter criminal activity, the bulk of prisoners are eventually freed from incarceration.
“We have to give these prisoners the tools to reintegrate into society,” said District Attorney Will Furse. “If we don’t, then we’re just setting them up to fail.”
Last week, Gov. John Hickenlooper called for a $10 million proposal to increase spending on parole operations. The measure could not only place more parole officers on the streets, but it could also provide more treatment services for parolees.
“People struggle, a lot, with reintegration from prison or even county jail,” Furse said. “That is the biggest barrier to their success and ability to maintain a crime-free lifestyle.”
In politics today, there’s not much bipartisanship, especially when Democrats, like the governor, propose additional spending measures. A Republican, Furse believes law enforcement should not be bound by political ideologies, stating he supports the governor’s call to increase spending for parolees.
“I look at this from a criminal justice perspective,” Furse explained. “I see there to be a need to rehabilitate and reintegrate people who are being released from prison. If that means increased spending, then so be it. I think it’s a legitimate use of taxpayer dollars.”
Furse also pointed out that recidivism is a national problem, citing that U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder recently announced $62 million in grants were made available to address the issue on a national scale. More than 100 Second Chance Act grants have been awarded.
“Over the course of my career, I’ve seen just how important – and powerful – re-entry programs can be,” said Holder. “I learned how this cycle weakens communities, tears families apart and destroys individual lives.”
Over the last decade, state judicial records indicate the total number of new adult probation clients has increased nearly 60 percent in the 22nd Judicial District, which includes Montezuma and Dolores counties. A total of 241 new adult probation clients were reported for fiscal year 2013, compared to 142 new probation cases in 2003.
The Denver Post has uncovered 29 murder cases since 2002 in which parolees violated conditions of their release or committed a crime and were allowed to remain free. Furse said the 22nd Judicial District is not immune.
“This district is no stranger to people on parole or probation that commit crimes of violence,” he added. “It’s not uncommon to see violent acts committed by those who are on probation or parole, and that only emphasizes or justifies the need for increased attention to those folks.”
tbaker@cortezjournal.com
