Rethinking Public Safety: Emphasizing Prevention and Rehabilitation

Public safety requires reducing the chance of individuals entering the criminal justice system and lowering their likelihood of returning. For decades, public safety discourse has centered on enforcement and punishment. Seldom do conversations address crime prevention before harm occurs.

Having spent over 50 years in corrections, I have witnessed the limitations of the prevailing methods. If the goal is to decrease crime and protect communities, the system needs more than just reactive measures. A focus on crime prevention as well as punishment is essential.

Survey Insights from Law Enforcement

A groundbreaking survey of law enforcement officers provides fresh perspectives on shifting strategies. The survey reveals that 92% of officers feel their departments are overburdened by social issues beyond crime.

A notable 80% believe involving community members in conflict mediation and violence diversion enhances safety and eases their duties. This percentage rises to 90% among officers who have engaged with such programs. These findings hold weight, especially in a field exposed to versatile challenges.

Participants are seasoned professionals, not politicians seeking attention, but individuals who have committed their lives to safety on the front lines of the criminal justice system.

Neighborhood-Based Prevention Programs

Policing today involves addressing mental health crises, substance abuse, and homelessness, which would benefit more from mental health expertise. Without adequate tools and partners, officers encounter recurring issues without addressing root causes.

Neighborhood-based prevention efforts effectively tackle crime preemptively. Supporting community violence intervention, mental health crises, and other localized programs can preclude crime. Such initiatives reduce repeat service calls and allow law enforcement to prioritize significant threats, enhancing safety for both communities and police departments.

Releasing Prisoners Early: A Worthy Investment?

Prison programs offering job training, education, and treatment decrease future criminal activity. When incarcerated individuals engage in educational and job training efforts, they are more likely to reintegrate as productive citizens upon release. They contribute to the workforce, pay taxes, and bolster local economies.

Correctional officers recognize the value of tools that curtail returning offenders. Approximately 75% of surveyed officers support early release considerations for those involved in rehabilitation, education, and job training, aligning with a commitment to change.

Officers understand that incentivizing rehabilitation and transferring suitable individuals from prison to community-based supervision cuts costs, strengthens safety, and protects prison and jail workers.

Financial Benefits of Prevention and Rehabilitation

A holistic approach yields favorable outcomes and financial advantages. Connecticut reported annual savings of nearly $40 million from rehabilitation programs, while Pennsylvania saved over $400 million over a decade through recidivism reduction. These results signify that prevention and rehabilitation policies save costs and enhance public safety.

Public safety doesn’t rest solely on enforcement and incarceration. It relies on investing in prevention, supporting rehabilitation, and aligning resources with the experiences of law enforcement and correctional professionals. By transitioning to evidence-based crime prevention strategies, we improve safety, enhance law enforcement officers’ lives, and efficiently manage taxpayer funds.

Gary Mohr is a retired director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and was the 106th president of the American Correctional Association.