Lake County Jail Endorses The Power to Change for Corrections

April 13, 2009

To Whom It May Concern:

It is my pleasure to recommend the Cognitive Behavior Class-The Power to Change.  The class was first conducted in the Lake County Jail in February of 2009.  The education director Mr. Riddle has informed me that the class is very popular with our inmates and they are very enthusiastic about it.  Mr. Riddle sat down and listened to the members of the class and they were quoted as saying “it was very useful in helping to control their anger.”  In addition the members of the class said that the skills they learned were something that they would take with them wherever they went and could apply them in any situation.  One inmate stated that it “gave him another way to look at life.” 

This program is one of the more life applicable programs at the jail.  It is extremely beneficial because of the practical skills it provides to its members and the easy to use tactics that can be applied at any time.  I am very pleased to have this program at the facility but do to budget restrictions we are only able to provide it to a small cross section of the inmates.  However a program like this would be something that we would like to offer to all of our inmates.  We currently have about 40 students in the program out of a possible 650.  If funding for this were increased we would offer it to as many inmates as possible. 

This program is extremely beneficial to our inmates and therefore to our community.  In a jail setting like ours, inmates only stay for an average of two to three months, before many are released back out into the community.  Providing them with this type of class not only makes them a stronger person but makes our communities stronger places to live and work.  The Cognitive Behavior Class- Power to Change is a very useful and important part of the educational programming here at the Lake County Jail.  Please accept this letter on behalf of the class with my highest recommendation and strongest request for more funding. 

Jennifer Witherspoon

Chief of Corrections 
Lake County Jail