Merle Cooper Program is a Hit!

Rehabilitation program seeks to give help to those who want it

Story by Lou Smith

In 1977, the maximum-security Clinton Correctional Facility, located in Dannemora, NY received a significant makeover to their inmate programs. Merle Cooper, leader of a prisoner-adjustment program, died before his idea could be made a reality, but it was soon adopted by the prison and named after Cooper himself.

And so the Merle Cooper Program (MCP) was started with aims at helping inmates get acquainted with jail life, as well as to provide the necessary tools in gearing them for re-entry back into the "real world."  From the beginning, the main focus of the 18-24 month program was to serve prisoners who seem to be inclined towards more anti-social behavior. Admission into the group is strictly voluntary, but only after observation and review is the inmate allowed in. An eager individual must first contact a counselor within the confines of the facility. Then the assessment begins.

"There is a standard set of criteria. At times rejection can be discretionary and all inmates are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Inmates may be rejected from placement in MCP due to sentence structure (need at least 18 months to release date), earliest currently refusing mandatory programs, recent unsatisfactory custodial adjustment, current participation in a mandatory program, denial of commission of instant offense. For those reasons, an inmate would be rejected with possible reconsideration in the future. However, all inmates must meet Clinton MCP profile, which includes a certain level of mental health," Erik Kriss says, Director of Public Information for the New York State Department of Correctional Services.

In the early years of the program, the group was mainly composed of prisoners who carried with them a history of suicidal attempts and extended disciplinary records. As the 1980s began, the number of sex offenders became more and more apparent. But this trend shifted once again as more programs surfaced that focused on subjects such as sex offenders, and the number of registered offenders dropped to less than 20% in 2003.

"The majority of Merle Cooper Program inmates are violent felony offenders, but only about 5% are sex offenders," Kriss says.

As of 2008, there are a total 200 inmates who attend the MCP Monday through Friday, 7:30 am- 4:00 pm within the confines of the correctional facility. The inmates are subject to many hours of group counseling, which is the keystone of the program. During their "class time" they are also subject to community meetings, which encourage them to share with others. Physical labor is also a part of the program, with prisoners putting their brawn to work in the facility's furniture refurbish shop.

"There is a standard set of criteria. At times rejection can be discretionary and all inmates are reviewed on a case-by-case basis."

"The main work site for MCP inmates is the Furniture Shop. The furniture shop serves as the rehabilitative work site. However, an inmate who has had positive participation in the furniture shop and has shown growth may be placed in other works
assignments such as recycling, porter, building clerks, inmate peer counselor, and industry. Inmates are placed in these work assignments after review by the assessment committee," Kriss says.

When inmates are not attending the MCP, they are expected to discuss their problems/concerns/questions with their peers. The program itself places emphasis on individuals learning about themselves and about life and others. Discussion is often what helps the inmates learn more and it is always encouraged.

Criminal Justice major Silas Martin visited the correctional facility on a day trip for one of his classes at Clinton Community College, and reported that he went everywhere in the prison. He also viewed a Merle Cooper Program meeting in progress. Inside he said that the inmates were admitting why they were at the prison to the entire group.

"One guy told us that he molested three boys from the ages of seven-ten, and I was sitting right next to him," says Martin, "It kinda hits a chord when you see that."

Although the program does house some high security prisoners, the program isn't open to all of the inmates in the facility. You will find no life-sentence or criminally insane felons, but milder sex offenders and others making up the majority.

"From a technical standpoint, all MCP participants must meet certain security and mental health thresholds. MCP will not take the highest security inmates nor the most seriously mentally ill," says Kriss.

Thirty years later and thousand of prisoners served, The Merle Cooper Program is still in full swing providing the tools necessary to be successful to inmates. Although the program in no way shortens the sentences of the participants, it provides the some chances for the inmates to keep busy. Merle Cooper would be proud that his idea became a reality and is as successful as it is today.

Are programs such as the MCP an asset to prisons?