Dennis L. Ugoletti – 5/25/08

This page was last updated on May 25, 2008.

Cutting down on recidivism; Chaplain Dennis L. Ugoletti, Academy of Parish Clergy, Beaver County Jail; Beaver County Times; May 25, 2008.

Though not mentioned, this letter was in response to David L. Pyle’s letter of May 23^rd entitled “Rethink jail tours” and associated comments posted on the Times website. Under the screen handle “Chap,” Mr. Ugoletti also posted a comment (May 23, 2008 @ 3:00 PM) making some of the points he cites in his letter below.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“The Beaver County Commissioners, prison board, Director of Treatment Carol Steele-Smith and Warden William Schouppe should be commended for supporting community-based programming at the Beaver County Jail.

“Their pro-active stance toward reducing recidivism and facilitating re-entry is in step with the growing consensus of government leaders and corrections professionals across our country.

“Recently, the Pew Center released a landmark study that revealed one in every 100 Americans is currently behind bars — and the costs involved with incarceration are staggering.

“It’s a shame, but all that money has barely made a dent in recidivism rates. Studies show that the key to reduce recidivism is re-entry. Preparing inmates to transition from jail to the community is making a difference.

“Our director of treatment and the Jail Task Force have formed partnerships with human and social-service agencies to develop quality programming — at no cost to the county. Classes and programs are available to help offenders prepare for release (the first step to re-entry).

“We also have programs that educate the community, like our ‘Scared Straight’ program that helps prevent troubled youth from coming to jail. Students tour the jail under careful supervision and then listen to inmates share how they ended up in jail.

“It’s a powerful teaching moment; just ask some parents.

“I suppose there are those from the old school who think that criminals should be locked up — warehoused with nothing to do. If they had their way, they would eliminate all programming.

“History has proven that doesn’t work. Most offenders have a release date. The question is do we want them to come out the same way they went in?

“As a correctional chaplain, my membership in professional organizations permits me to interact with chaplains across the nation. When I tell them about our programs, they are always amazed. It makes me proud to be from Beaver County.”

[RWC] Though Mr. Ugoletti alleged “[p]reparing inmates to transition from jail to the community is making a difference,” you’ll note he provided no supporting evidence. I hope Mr. Ugoletti is right and I wish him luck, but I’ll be skeptical this is simply another “feel good” program until we see credible supporting data.