Here again, is a system designed and operated from a controlling-paternalistic model. Understandably, concern and protection for the community is first priority against recently released felons into the community; however, if the prison system were serving society as it should, there would be no need to worry about parolees because released prisoners would be rehabilitated.

But because the prison system in America is not what it should be, or doing what taxpayers pay it to do, which is to punish as well as rehabilitate criminals, citizens pump more of their money further into the rehabilitation system by paying for the post-imprisonment system of parole.

"The vast majority of prisoners in this country (about 80 percent) are released "conditionally," subject to a period of supervision in the community…parole supervision is used as both a surveillance tool and a social service mechanism and ideally serves a deterrent role in preventing new crimes from occurring."

As a matter in the Black community, because Black people make up a disproportionate number of the prison population, we can easily conclude that the majority of parolees are Black people, who are under surveillance daily upon release from prison. Since the prison system has failed to what it is suppose to do, parolees are highly likely to return to prison, which continues the revolving door of Black imprisonment.

"Parole supervision can function as a surveillance tool by monitoring and sanctioning those who violate conditions of release, potentially averting more serious reoffending. Parole supervision can also act as a social service mechanism by using rules and incentives to engage ex-prisoners in positive activities, such as work and drug treatment, and to place ex-prisoners in programs that may help reentry transitions."

Once the parolee comes under the constant and daily surveillance of the judicial system and law enforcement, not only are they automatic suspects in any criminal activity in the community, but they are directed as to where to work and who to associate with: this is no life and there is no freedom. Unfortunately, people who have never been to prison experience this same type system of paternalism unaware.

"While the focus of parole supervision has shifted more toward the surveillance function over the years, the number of people subject to it continues to grow. In 2003, over 774,000 adult men and women were under parole supervision in the United States, up from 197,000 in 1980."

Not only has the rate of parolees rose in the nation, but has especially among Blacks. Parolees have lost their complete right to freedom forever because the government is unforgiving regardless of expungement policies.

The concept of rehabilitation is a joke and the prison system has gone the way of slave labor and constant surveillance. For Black America to escape this paternalistic system, we cannot depend on politicians and "future leaders" to infiltrate the system and make everything alright; we must recognize the problem the system is not addressing, which is rehabilitation, and put together agendas to rehabilitate the minds of our people.

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© 2005 by CR Hamilton