The Hiller Instinct: Criminal Next Door

During the 1990's, all those "guiltys" plus stricter sentencing laws put more criminals behind bars for more time. And the crime rate came down in Massachusetts as the number of inmates went up. But, this year, as many mandatory sentences run out, the state expects a record number of criminals will get out.

Andy Hiller
"So you know, all other things being equal, there is an increased potential of crime coming to this neighborhood."

Capt. William Taylor, Lowell police
"Exactly"

The world's changed since black and white movies. But this one still captures a major problem in the world of crime fighting:

"New suit and ten bucks...almost a dollar a year..."

Supt. Edward f. Davis, Lowell police
"Believe it or not, in this day and age, that's exactly what happens. You give them a suit, you give them $100 and a bus ticket and they go back to the community."

And when they get there, the US Justice department says more than 60% of all inmates released from state prisons are re-arrested within three years, more than 45% are re-convicted, and more than 40% sent back to prison or jail.

Supt. Davis
"They're not prepared well to re-enter the real world."

So the Lowell police department is already preparing for the re-entry of 80 former convicts, targeting the neighborhoods they'll return to, and working with Washington to provide them education and employment options, drug treatment, and increased surveillance.

Supt. Davis
"People who have been convicted and who go to jail are going to have to deal with people knowing who they are and where they are."

But the chief makes the new program sound stronger than it actually is.

Supt. Davis
"Well our authority is limited at this point in time. It's a voluntary program."

In his squad car, a street-wise Captain knows what that means.

Andy Hiller
"More crime is coming?"

Capt. Taylor
"I think that certainly statistically that's an accurate analysis, but i think by utilizing programs like this we're gonna impact that statistic and reduce it as soon as possible."

Tripp Jones, Executive Director, Massinc.
"It's not enough. This ought to be mandatory. You leave prison, you go back to the neighborhoods, we're going to watch you for a matter of time."

Says the executive director of an independent think tank that found 60% of all the heroin and cocaine sold in Massachusetts is consumed by people on probation, parole, or bail. And, that the public should not believe all criminals now go and stay in prison.

Tripp Jones
"On your typical day, more than three quarters of the people under the control of the criminal justice system are not behind bars, they're in our neighborhoods. And what we do to supervise those people is absolutely pathetic."

Andy Hiller
"This is not to scare you; it's to alert you. The future, of course, is unknown but knowing what we do about repeat offenders, there's a crime time bomb in Massachusetts and it will go off."

Nationally, more than a half-million prisoners will be released this year. Programs like the one in Lowell have been set up in seven other states to monitor returning prisoners.