Rethinking Rehabilitation: Creative Corrections and the Push for Holistic Justice Reform

With nearly 2 million people behind bars, US prisons grapple with overcrowding and the world’s highest inmate population. Moreover, on release, two-thirds of these inmates will be rearrested for new crimes, but worst of all is the fact that this devastating cycle carries over into the next generation. The 7% of US children with a parent in prison are six times more likely to become involved in the criminal justice system than their peers.

Percy Pitzer is a former warden, the Founder of the prison auditing firm Creative Corrections, and the founder of The Pitzer Family Education Foundation (PFEF). With three decades in the correctional system, he champions the need for reform. 

“The US justice system is built on mass incarceration and focuses predominantly on punishment over rehabilitation,” Pitzer says. “This approach leads to overcrowded prisons, high recidivism rates, and countless lives trapped in a cycle of crime. It does not lead to a safer and better society.”

Re-envisioning justice: The case for rehabilitation over mass incarceration

After retiring from the correctional system, Pitzer developed a four-prong approach to reform. The first prong involves educational programs aimed at breaking the cycle of crime. He launched PFEF to offer the children of inmates and parolees certification in high-demand trades like welding, electrical work, pipefitting, core safety, instrumentation, scaffold building, and industrial carpentry.

“If incarcerated individuals and their children have education, then they have choices,” says Pitzer. “If they have choices, they can break the cycles of recidivism and intergenerational incarceration.”

Currently, PFEF has funded the education of 187 parolees and provided 190 scholarships to children of inmates. Surprisingly, inmates contribute much of the funds behind PFEF’s scholarships. At Pitzer’s request, inmates have contributed $240,000. 

“When I worked in prisons, I discovered that if you bring inmates a cause that makes sense, they will back it,” Pitzer explains. “It’s not hard to convince them to support their children’s education. These opportunities give them a chance to rebuild their families, their lives, and their communities.”

Holistic justice reform: A new paradigm

The second prong of Pitzer’s approach involves holistic justice reform. Offenders presenting a significant threat to public safety must be incarcerated for the appropriate period of time and under the appropriate conditions. However, Pitzer recognizes that alternatives to incarceration can provide non-violent offenders with a chance for rehabilitation.

Holistic justice reform challenges the status quo by promoting approaches considering the whole person and their community. This includes a variety of strategies. 

For example, instead of isolating offenders, community-based programs integrate them into society through supportive programs, including job training, education, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services. By addressing the social determinants of crime, these initiatives aim to equip individuals with the tools they need to lead law-abiding lives.

Restorative justice is another approach focusing on healing the relationship between the offender and the victim, as well as the broader community. Restorative justice practices, such as mediation and community service, encourage accountability, empathy, and reconciliation to promote a more compassionate and understanding resolution to crime.

Redefining correctional practices

The third prong of PFEF’s plan involves ensuring offenders receive needed treatment both in prison and in the community. A shift towards rehabilitation requires rethinking the environment and practices within correctional facilities. 

“This entails incorporating educational and vocational training programs, therapy and counseling services, and other rehabilitative activities that facilitate personal growth and development,” Pitzer says. “The goal is to prepare inmates for successful reentry into society, reducing the likelihood of re-offending.”

As Pitzer explains, rehabilitation programs aim to address the underlying factors that contribute to criminal behavior, such as substance abuse, lack of education, mental health issues, and unemployment. By providing individuals with treatment, vocational training and educational opportunities, rehabilitation sets a foundation for a successful reintegration into society.

This rehabilitative model ultimately contributes to economic growth and public safety by turning former inmates into productive citizens who can work, pay taxes, and contribute positively to society. Effective rehabilitation can lead to a reduction in crime rates, creating safer and more prosperous communities.

The fourth and final prong of Pitzer’s approach involves providing an acceptable environment for both inmates and prison staff. “We’re among the largest independent US prison auditing companies and the only one accredited by ISO,” he notes. “As an auditing firm, integrity and experience are our two biggest assets. Of our 137 staff, around 100 retired from various prison systems, just like I did. We know prisons, and we know that what doesn’t get checked doesn’t get fixed.”

The narrative surrounding mass incarceration is changing, with a growing recognition that locking individuals away on a grand scale does not translate to improved public safety or justice. “Rehabilitation offers a path forward that heals individuals, restores communities, fosters economic growth, and creates a more equitable and effective justice system,” Pitzer concludes. “By investing in rehabilitation, society takes a step towards resolving the deep-seated issues that lead to criminal behavior and champions a future where second chances are foundational to the criminal justice philosophy.

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