We met seven times this spring and visited the Community Drug Board,
Oriana House Time Out Program and the Phoenix Program, whose clients are sent by the
courts for intervention. The following are suggestions that the committee came up with:
Akron should participate in a county-wide re-socialization program
for people leaving the criminal justice system, who have been out of touch with society.
Keep up on the utilization of technological advances of equipment.
For example, presently a retina scanner would eliminate negative drug screens error and
eliminate the need to inspect each sample by hand. Currently, drug screens are not
accurate for marijuana, as it stays in the blood up to thirty days.
Design future correctional facilities with "moveable pods"
that can change with changing needs of the population; sex, age or type of crime.
Correctional facilities should be built for treating women with their
children simultaneously.
Because dysfunctional families are transgenerational, therapy
programs must include the entire family.
All agencies such as schools, courts, police and social agencies
should cooperate through a centralized computer networking system thus avoiding
duplication and increasing effectiveness.
Agencies should be encouraged to develop innovations in cooperation
with the funding agents.
Cultural interventionists, who understand different value systems as
those based on male macho dominance for increasing Asian, Arabic, and Latin groups should
be hired to develop up to date curriculum.
Build communication avenues between local, state and federal
probation personnel.
Start early intervention of children’s educational tracts and
stop social promotions.
Allow personal talents or abilities to be utilized as an alternative
means of community restitution.
Increased use of psychological testing all juvenile and adult
offenders as a part of standardized intake procedures.
Create a competitive environment for open bidding on all corrections
programs.
