Family ties can stop prison return

May 10, 2008 05:27 pm

— Oklahoma’s prison problem won’t be solved only by the state Department of Corrections. Reducing recidivism and the inmate population will take committed community support.
That’s why a Muskogee group the Soroptimists deserve commendation for their work with inmates at Eddie Warrior Correctional Facility. Several community organizations work with the women there, and they all merit credit, but today’s Sunday Extra details the Mother’s Touch program of the Soroptimists.
The Soroptimists help incarcerated mothers maintain contact with their children. The group records messages from incarcerated women to send to their children.
Unfortunately for Oklahoma, the state has the highest per capita female incarceration rate in the nation — not a proud distinction — which means the Soroptimists are overwhelmed with their outreach. And of course, something is terribly wrong in Oklahoma that the incarceration rate is so high.
Lots of factors contribute to the rate, and it would pay the state to be proactive in combatting crimes by women because as today’s story points out, most women in prison are mothers.
In some cases, children may be better off not around their mothers, but if we want to lower the incarceration rate, it’s important for women in prison to maintain as much contact with their children as possible.
A mother’s tie to her child can be a strong incentive to be a good citizen. If someone has nothing or no one to look forward to once they are out of prison, they probably will end up back in prison.