LAWRENCE COUNTY Program targets repeat offenders

Prison officials may have to start housing female inmates in other counties.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Prison officials are introducing a new program meant to keep inmates from returning to the Lawrence County jail.
The county prison board approved buying "A Commitment to Change," a series of videos, lesson plans and worksheets meant to help curb relapses into crime and other anti-social behavior.
The series is by Dr. Stanton E. Samenow, a clinical psychologist from Alexandria, Va., who has conducted numerous studies on recidivism and juvenile and adult offenders' behaviors. The cost was $1,800.
Warden Mark Fellows said he has used the program in other facilities, and that it has helped keep prisoners from returning to jail after release.
"We are trying to give the inmates something so they can change their behavior patterns or thinking and not come back as much," Fellows said.
Recidivism rates
Nationally, jail recidivism is about 40 percent, and in Lawrence County it is estimated at 60 percent, Fellows said.
Volunteers will be trained to facilitate the program, and inmates must elect to take part in the course.
Fellows said the inmates should be able to relate to the program, which includes videotapes of other inmates talking about their problems.
"For less than a few thousand dollars, if we can make a change in a few lives, it's worth it," Fellows said.
Parole violations
The warden also alerted prison board members to a high number of female parole violators taking up jail space.
Fellows said 23 of the 38 female inmates are parole violators. He said the county will have to start housing females in other county prisons if that number increases. Fellows said he didn't have the number of male inmates who are parole violators but said that number also is high.
"There is no easy answer [to this problem]," said District Attorney Matthew Mangino, a board member. "These are people who have broken the law and were punished, and then failed to comply."
Judge Ralph Pratt, county president judge, noted that most parole violators spend 30 to 45 days in jail -- far below their original sentence.
"It's all drug-related," Judge Pratt said of the high parole numbers. "It's normally because they are dirty with drugs, and they fail to report [to parole officers]. It's a never-ending battle."
cioffi@vindy.com