Colorado DOC defends program that allows inmates privileges like ordering from Amazon

The Colorado Department of Corrections is defending a controversial "honor house" at Pueblo's La Vista Correctional Facility, where inmates are allowed to order items from Walmart and Amazon, and come and go from their cells frequently.

A former Denver district attorney characterized the perks of the program as unwarranted for offenders expected to serve punishment for violent crimes — a sentiment shared by 10th Judicial District Attorney Jeff Chostner.

However, Annie Skinner, a spokesperson for the department of corrections, said the treatment is an effective tool in reducing inmate recidivism.

"These types of incentive units are not new in the department, and are being utilized in prisons and jails across the country," she said.

"The old-school way of operating prisons was to make them harsh and punishing environments, but what corrections professionals across the world have grown to understand is that the best way to reduce recidivism is to provide opportunities for incarcerated individuals to make positive changes while they are incarcerated, to work towards achieving additional privileges, provide pro-social engagement, and to support them in preparing to transition from prison back into a home environment."

Skinner said the honor house affords women who have exhibited positive behavior behind bars an opportunity to live in a unit that better prepares them to transition back into a community, including ordering and preparing food, living in a more communal environment, doing laundry, and maintaining healthy exercise habits.

"We do have some women who live in the unit who have long-term or life sentences. These women will be participating in the unit as part of a mentorship program, and will be able to give back by assisting other women in preparing for return to the community," Skinner said. "It is also important to provide purpose behind the walls for individuals who have long sentences because that keeps our facilities safer for staff and inmates."

Women who are interested in living in the Honor Unit must submit an application and meet requirements regarding institutional behavior and programming compliance, and undergo a "detailed review" by staff, Skinner said. If cleared by staff, Honor Unit residents then interview the applicant before final placement in the unit.

The program has its detractors however. Former Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey told CBS News Colorado that participation by certain inmates, including those convicted of murder and sexual assault, was "outrageous."

"These are people the victims think belong behind bars for the rest of their lives. This doesn't sound like they're behind bars to me," Morrissey said to CBS News Colorado. "It sounds like a five-star hotel."

Chostner, Pueblo's DA, stated while he did not have much to add himself, he agreed with Morrissey's comments.

"This doesn’t purport to be the jail experience that I think people expect when one is sent to confinement," Chostner said.

Skinner noted, however, that efforts such as the honor house have a demonstrable effect on recidivism.

"CDOC’s efforts to implement a rehabilitation model for inmates has been helping to reduce the recidivism in our state. In fact, our most current three-year recidivism rate was 31.0%, which is the lowest it has been since 2004."

The idea that harsher prison conditions do not reduce recidivism is backed by scholarly studies.

In 2007, a study by MK Chen of the Yale School of Management and Jesse Shapiro of the University of Chicago found that "Inmates housed in higher security levels are no less likely to recidivate than those housed in minimum security; if anything, our estimates suggest that harsher prison conditions lead to more post-release crime."

A study by the Social Science Research Network found similar results.

Questions, comments, or story tips? Contact Justin at jreutterma@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @jayreutter1.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Colorado prison system defending 'honor house' at La Vista Correctional