Update - State of Our State

Hello, hello!

I would like to dedicate this blog post to the recently held State of Our State conference, hosted by the Morrison Institute. This was the first time the conference focused on 1 central theme, i.e. criminal justice and the role of private prisons and sentencing reform. The conference was organized into 4 panel discussions, "Who is incarcerated in Arizona";"Bipartisan Reform Strategies"; "What is the Role for Private Prisons and "What's Next for Arizona?".

As this policy topic is highly contentious it led to some lively discussions. I found myself most engaged with the first panel discussion featuring Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery and the Arizona Program Director - American Friends Service Committee, Caroline Issacs. Both individuals are passionate advocates about sentencing reform. Ms. Issacs highlighted the acceleration of the prison population vs. the actual population (174% vs. 74%). As a state, Arizona spends less on each prisoner today than it did in 1992 (a decrease of 14%). What does this mean policy implication-wise? 

As the prison population ages, the state and country will have increased medical costs. Let's not forget there are chronically ill individuals incarcerated in Tucson. These include individuals with disabilities; we need to ask not just who is being put away but why? 

According to Mr. Montgomery we cannot forget about the deterrent aspect. In Arizona, one needs to work hard to enter the prison system. The 3 strikes policy applies to Arizona, meaning the third time one has committed an act that violates the law, he/she will become incarcerated.  Moreover, 48% of those who go through the court system serve prison sentences. Some of the most pressing concerns with respect to the incarcerated population are transients, and the shared border with Mexico (i.e. smuggling; both drug and human).

It appears we are creating a newly incarcerated population, rather than addressing the actual issues (including treatment of substance & mental health). Due to very specific sentencing code changes with emphasis on longer sentences and probation being knocked, increased numbers of people are going into the prison system and with little chance of coming out.

The statistics from the other panels did not paint a much brighter picture - including a six-fold increase in the incarcerated population from the mid 1970s to the mid 2000s.

There were many calls from the other panels that stressed the role of privatization, especially as these save the state several dollars that can be used in other areas (e.g. education). The question remains, does Arizona have the political will to incorporate private prison reform? 

The Morrison Institute - An Insider's Perspective

Hello,
It's been awhile... hope everyone's term has been winding down on a high note.

I would like to spend the next little while discussing the ups and downs of the Morrison Institute. Let's begin with the strengths of this non-partisan think tank affiliated with Arizona State University. This institute makes a concerted effort in producing research that is bias-free and uses quantitative data analysis tools effectively. Moreover, the staff are versed in a wide array of areas, with each policy analyst having particular areas of focus. Whether working independently or collaboratively, several pairs of eyes review reports before the final edition is brought to print/the morrison website. It should also be mentioned the staff complement one another and this makes for an easy work environment. When it comes to training new staff and interns, individuals quickly learn the ins and outs of working at MI. This is an asset for not just the new staff,  but when deadlines loom, more individuals are able to work on the projects with pending deadlines.

As mentioned earlier, the staff are the core of this institution and ensure smooth sailing for projects/reports. In terms of any changes that could be implemented, if I were to lead an organization similar to the MI, I would seek more panel discussions involving the public to understand the concerns of local citizens. The event held by the Morrison Institute in early June on the potential legalization of recreational marijuana led to some lively discussions, and also shed light on how some citizens would be affected by this legislation. If the Morrison Institute and similar think tanks were to poll citizens and receive a significant proportion of responses (ballots filled out), this could lead to increased citizen engagement.

Overall, the Morrison Institute is able to capitalize on the staff's talents, which is integral to organizational success and growth. The organization allows policy analysts to seek their own projects, i.e. independence is encouraged and sought. The work environment is collegial. The change(s) I would incorporate are to find more ways to get the public's voice to play an active role with future projects. If we could find ways to attract more citizens to attend these events, citizens may be more invested in voting and participating in community events.