Why
I believe Arizona needs to be better in running their prisons
Living in Arizona can be inspirational-it
has all the hallmarks of a patriotic and lawful society. The grandeur of the
Grand Canyon symbolizes strength and heritage and many more American values. I
believe in Arizona. Arizona is a conservative state but at the same time,
proven it can be the exact opposite when a critical situation arises or an
adaption is needed.
It can be innovative in rule. Sometimes it
is controversial especially being a border state and addressing border and
immigration issues. At the same time, I have seen strong leadership to lead and
become the spine or the backbone for the needs of many other states. It has led
in many different areas which needed to be addressed and as such, the laws were
addressed accordingly.
I can compare Arizona with other states as
I have lived in a few to know the differences in climate, demographics, and
economy social cultures. I see it as a melting pot but also as a place where
people live in peace and harmony without too much government interference. Politically,
it can be vitriol in nature. Socially, it can be blend of cultures engaged in
community celebrations.
Unlike some other states, Arizona seems to
be connected to the people and their will on most issues. Arizona believes we
all have a right to privacy, a right to be left alone as we go about our
business. It is not too intrusive but there when necessary. In the absence of
this occasional intrusion, Arizona allows our lives to be our own with
consequences attached regulated by laws.
State government does have some trust
issues. The reasons are clear and most people understand that transparency and
honesty would eliminate most of these concerns. It would be better if government
agencies and contractors operating with more accountability. I can also sense a
strong interdependence on hybrid governance and engagements of outsourcing our
services especially our prisons.
For years, state government has been
operating under near complete secrecy about its relationship with private
prison contractors and whether or not this relationship is actually saving the
state money. We have learned from studies in the past, prison policy guidelines
for savings pledges results to the contrary. However, such studies have been
halted thus comparison data is no longer available to compare cost factors.
This we expect to be the mood of government and will
likely to continue to be denied basic details about this aspect of state
government spending and admit a grim defeat that unless the governor allows us
to peek at their business portfolios, nothing will be revealed to show any
improvement is savings.
Thus although I believe in Arizona, I would
encourage all citizens to hold the government accountable for their prison
management and spending styles as well as comparative decisions. The governor
campaigned on improvements in education and child safety but has neglected both
as well as reducing prison costs. He has introduced a five year funding plan
for education but skepticism is loud and frequent because he prioritized
prisons over education.
In fact, he has raised prison costs beyond
the previous budget to accommodate private prison growth. No one has ever been
charged with a crime in connection with the CCA executive team connection or
for that matter, any other contractor doing business with our state. There is
little doubt the legislature had deep pockets for private prison lobbyist
knocking on their doors.
No one has challenged the lawful duties of
the prison director to serve as a facilitator or portfolio manager for the
private business world as it expands and receives state funding via vague but
extremely powerful political circumstances. Until this funnel of growth and
profit is curtailed, this part of state government will never be held
accountable.
#####################
No comments:
Post a Comment