Article July 26, 1999 Issue

Forgiveness and regeneration

Corrections official John Clague in conversation with News Editor Kim Shippey

John Clague

FOR MANY YEARS, John Clague of Eugene, Oregon, has handled correctional work in a local corrections system. His experience in several managerial positions has given him a broad perspective on the criminal justice system and what it means for our society today. He is now chief deputy for the Sheriff's office.

"I first took an interest in prison work when I was in college, majoring in sociology and anthropology," Mr. Clague told us. "I volunteered to work with the prisoners at a nearby state penitentiary who were 'doing life' for the crimes they had committed.

"I soon learned," he said, "that the laws of our land and the corrections system are indeed founded in concepts that reflect our highest ideals; but when you try to put those ideals into practice within a human framework, they are doomed to be less than perfect in their results. Traditional methods in corrections have not reformed those who engage in criminal acts; in fact, our correctional institutions have become training grounds for a subculture that values crime. Often, inmates teach one another how to commit crimes and encourage one another to continue with their life of crime.

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