Gerard Lemoine

Desert Pawns: Breaking the Cycle of Reincarceration Gerard Lemoine

Who would you rather have released from prison--an unskilled violent predator or a stable, educated ex-offender with a future? Over 80% of the 2.3 million inmates in US prisons--including murderers--will be paroled. Within three years, nearly 70% will be rearrested--dubbed "turnstile justice" by NY Mayor Michael Bloomberg. In a private prison in the Southwest, a tenacious ex-cop-turned-teacher defies the odds. Against the wishes of administration, he recruits a courageous group of outside educators for a rigorous educational program. Violence plummets. Record numbers of inmates obtain their GEDs. Inmate self-esteem soars. Then-the prison terminates the program. Why? The current system, costing taxpayers $60 billion a year, perpetuates failure. After reading this book, you'll understand why.