Dymally on Hickman
Assemblyman Mervyn M. Dymally, chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, says that the resignation of Rod Hickman as head of the Department of Corrections leaves Gov. Schwarzenegger without an African American in his cabinet. Says Dymally: “The resignation of Mr. Roderick Q. Hickman as Secretary of California’s Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation leaves the Governor’s cabinet without an African American.” What a sad commentary for a state with a diverse population such as California. Say what you want about Rod Hickman, but he was an honest broker with an impossible task. Prison reform has been historically difficult. To really address prison reform we must also examine a criminal justice system that emphasizes imprisonment instead of rehabilitation. Hickman will be remembered as a reformer who tried his best." The governor has named Jeanne S. Woodford acting secretary. |
Comments on "Dymally on Hickman"
With a recidivism rate of 79%, California may well be number one in the nation. The need for prison reform is clear,as is the reluctance of politicians and the public to seriously address this problem. As mentioned, the emphasis in prisons does need to shift from punishment to rehabilitation. However that will only happen when creative programs are designed and tried that show the public the social and economic benefits of real reform.In order to even get there, there needs to be an awareness that the policy of eye for an eye solves nothing. Surely it is time to apply all our modern knowledge and experience about how people change to the corrections system.