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The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
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February 14, 2005 - In an article that appeared in the LA Times this weekend, Governor Schwarzenegger was praised for "veering sharply from the law-and-order mantra" of the Republican Party for his new rehabilitation approach. An emphasis on educating, training, drug treatments and counseling has been proposed with the hopes of improving the odds of convicts "going straight" when they leave the prison. Even though the article notes that some victims groups are "wary" about the new proposals, it seems that the Governor is getting some support for his efforts - since he was sworn into office, Schwarzenegger has freed 83 murderers and has won the endorsement of the parole board.
Former Governor Gray Davis' political advisor Garry South was quoted in the article as having said about the proposed rehabilitation program, "I think it's a hard sell. I just don't think taxpayers want to see billions of dollars spent on teaching violent criminals how to do macramé and become auto mechanics."
But some maintain that something has to be done - as more than 50% of all adult parolees return to the system within 2 years. On the other hand, the Governor's proposed budget includes a $95-million cut for state-funded community programs - and Schwarzenegger has still not revealed how he would pay for this ambitious and potentially costly rehabilitation program.
Schwarzenegger's Communications Director Rob Stutzman told the press, "There are some people who need to be warehoused for the rest of their lives. But if we can rehabilitate others - reintroduce them to society so they can provide for their families and pay taxes - then that's a virtuous thing, a sensible thing and economically smart."
"Corrections," says Schwarzenegger, "Should correct."
The LA Times article alludes that the Governor's interest in rehabilitation might come from his personal experiences. In the 70's, he had gone behind bars to promote his interests of weightlifting and fitness to prisoners.
A 1984 Universal Studios news release quoted Schwarzenegger as saying, "[There's] an enormous need for prisoners to have something positive to focus on while they're in there, something to continue with when they're released."
Retired State Senate Leader John Burton told the Times that he "suspects that Schwarzenegger's experiences pumping iron with convicts may have cemented his sense that 'inner change' is possible."
Wendy Leigh's "Arnold: An Unauthorized Biography" says that Schwarzenegger's late brother Meinhard had spent at least a year in prison "for an assault related to drinking," according to the LA Times article.
It was perhaps a combination of these personal experiences and the problems and issues surrounding the current prison system that prompted Schwarzenegger to propose a new name for the department: The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Source: LATimes.com
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