Racism & Decision-Making inside Prisons

 

Recent racial unrest inside Arizona prisons have been brewing heavily since a new direction came about with the appointment of a new director in 2009. It is with reasonable suspicions that the reason for this racial unrest is because of environmental decision making by those in power to decide the fate of over 40,000 prisoners housed inside Arizona prisons. This article will cover three main areas of decision making influences that might apply to the recent behaviors by Afro American prisoners as well as Mexican Americans and Native American prisoners. The dynamics are fluid and much focus must be on these elements to carry out its purpose of how the decision making instruments play into these events and events of the past.

First thing we need to do is to look at the “geographical equity” where the racial composition of their executive hierarchy and decide whether or not it is culturally balanced or not. It is suggested that the “geographical equity” inside Arizona is much different than many other states including neighboring states such as New Mexico and California. This racial and geographical influence has impacted community cultural thinking and behaviors negatively and is often in conflict with the minorities housed inside their local prisons.  There is no doubt this creates tension between staff and prisoners daily and will eventually create a level of resistance or rebellion in some form or another.

Look at the race of the director, the deputy directors, the regional directors and the wardens. You will see a definite pattern of white supremacy numbers versus the minority races living inside Arizona. These numbers will suggest an unequal racially impacted “environmental protection” from abuse or harmful behaviors and acts for those of color thereby it is reasonable they will be treated different than others.  It’s a human trait to do so and Arizona has publicly announced their status on immigration and human [civil] rights.

Looking further into this disparity we find this lack of racial equality numbers has severely impacted the minority’s ability to balance what is known as the “procedural equity” process.  This is a major influence in decision making from the top on down. Going around the geographical locations where the prisons are located you will see the larger facilities are dominated by white administrators and thereby controlling the majority of the prison population and in a position of control or impose repeat and severe disciplinary actions that may result in higher custody scores, reject inmate grievances citing no basis for such findings,  more frequently imposed placements in administrative segregation, job parity and general opportunities to work or program within the entire prison population.

Last but not least is what is called the “social equity” factor where there are conflicts with the sociological order related to race, ethnicity, class, culture, customs and traditions, lifestyles and political power in the geographical regions or the state. This influences decides who gets the safe jobs, better housing, exposures to hazards or bio chemical risks etc. and as government, in this case, the prison management team makes these decisions, those prisoners that are poor will be more at risk of abuse and neglect than those with stronger social or political ties within the state and the regions they are housed.

Therefore, when you put it all together you have formulated a decision making methodology for your own level of “environmental justice” that impacts each race in a different manner or level. This “environmental justice” impacts protection level, prevention of harm, the burden of proof, proof of intent and other factors that play into due process and equality in the manner justice is delivered. Using this criterion to make decision on security, programs and educational benefits or programs, those of color are not in a position to attain the full benefit of all privileges and plans offered inside Arizona prisons. Still, even with federal discriminatory laws in place, Arizona prisons still houses their prisoners based on race, ethnicity or color. All you have to do is check the housing rosters and see how they pair up the races to balance the environment.

Politicians ~ Apathy and Greed

 

After spending over twenty five years in public service I don’t believe that a person’s morality diminishes with tenure. It has also been my experience that during this term of career growth someone’s confidence increases exponentially that allows you to make better decisions along the way. It is this confidence that impacts so heavily and so dramatically on your moral compass and your basic instinct to tell right from wrong.

H ence there is a powerful balance for the need or desire to maintain political acceptance within a circle of friends, organization or government that creates the temptation to use what powers your position offers to help others. In addition to finding shortcuts to political bureaucracy your help or desire to help others should be within the legal limitations provided and not push the envelope of corruption or abuse of resources to create fear or destroy the credibility of others as it is this access to power that is in all actuality the very same power that keeps you in office or position.

Therefore a person that follows their own conscience is the type of politician that will maintain self control to preserve his or her own reputation for being honest and above reproach. Their knowledge lies on the fact that once there is any doubt in their reputation, integrity or credibility, the public will not take it lightly and focus on everything you do as they illuminate any improprieties causing you the potential embarrassment, humiliation and darkness to find a place to hide to avoid prosecution or persecution by others. The fact is you will stand alone as not one wants to defend someone or be associated with someone that is of ill repute and condemned as a corrupt politician.

Of course there are those that step over this line without hesitation and scurry into the darkness fulltime to avoid any undue attention and interests into their transactions, decision making and executive orders. Although there focus is to stay out of the negative public eye they are in fact hiding the negativity in their character and morality that eventually it will be disclosed and subjected to harshness that begins with rumors and innuendos that are hard to control and elevate into cries of being a dishonest public servant and demands of resignation or removal from office if elected.

Under today’s standards and morality, it has gotten so hard to be a positive leader in such a negative society. Today elected officials, as well as many non-elected bureaucrats come into office with a public presumption they will quickly become just another rotten apple in an already decaying orchard which will happen if the public becomes complacent and allows you to conduct clandestine operations without drawing attention to yourself or your office.

In any situation where there is power and temptation it comes down to fundamental reasoning that if you expect less from others you get less and if you perpetuate the qualities of apathy and greed, you will fall to the same qualities as those around you neglect to take care of business in an efficient and lawful manner and take you down with them.