Crafty Predators: GEO Group Private Prison's Alarming Rehabilitation Program Dubbed 'Pedo Bears'
Sex Offenders Sew Bears, Quilts; Produce Other Items Used By Children In Indiana For-Profit Prison
By Richard Luthmann
New Castle Correctional Facility has a unique rehabilitation program. It is called PLUS (Purposeful Living Units Serve). Its mission is to transform the lives of inmates. But PLUS is causing controversy because it pays convicted pedophiles and sex offenders to make items, including quilts and teddy bears for children on the outside. The inmates know where the products go; the children and their parents do not know their origin.
Managed by GEO Group, Inc., a private prison management company, the New Castle, Indiana, facility offers various programs to prepare inmates for successful reintegration into society. However, the involvement of child sex offenders in producing items for children has led many to controversially refer to it as the "Pedo Bears" program.
A Holistic Program Aimed at Rehabilitation
The Purposeful Living Units Serve (PLUS) program offers a comprehensive approach to inmate rehabilitation. This multifaceted program includes faith-based and secular character-building activities, aiming to address and reform the behavioral issues of inmates. Educational opportunities are vital, with inmates accessing GED preparation and vocational training in diverse areas such as horticulture, culinary arts, and computer courses.
Additionally, the PLUS program places a strong emphasis on community service initiatives. This aspect of the program is designed to instill a sense of societal contribution in inmates, teaching them the value and importance of positively impacting the community. Another crucial element of the program is the specialized treatment for mental health issues and substance abuse, addressing some of the underlying causes of criminal behavior.
According to the GEO Group and Indiana Corrections, the PLUS program is strategically designed to reduce recidivism and support the holistic rehabilitation of inmates. They assert that engaging inmates in productive activities and equipping them with essential skills and education benefits the participants and positively contributes to community safety and overall well-being.
"Pedo Bears" Program: A Startling Revelation
In stark contrast to the touted aspects of the PLUS program, an alarming element has emerged, leading to its controversial nickname, the "Pedo Bears" program.
This troubling facet of the program involves child sex offenders participating in a PLUS sewing program. They craft teddy bears, blankets, and other items specifically designed for children. The involvement of these offenders in creating products intended for a young audience has sparked significant public outrage and concern.
Items made by child sex offenders are reaching vulnerable groups through distribution to various charities and organizations catering to children. The multiple items the inmates make are sent to a wide range of places, including the AGAPE Therapeutic Riding Center near Cicero, Karnes County Residential Center in Texas, Franklin County (Indiana) Schools, Westminster Community Center in New Castle, Lifestream in east-central Indiana, VA hospitals and many others.
There is growing apprehension about the potential for these offenders to indirectly establish connections with their young recipients, raising serious questions about the safety and appropriateness of such a program.
A Detailed Look at GEO Group Programs and Outreach
The GEO Group-administered New Castle Correctional Facility PLUS programs include the participation of sex offenders. Due to the wide-reaching impact on various charities and groups, the programs have raised alarm.
Notably, the program produced 900 custom designer bags for the Life Stream Organization to aid foster children. This initiative, however, has come under intense scrutiny. Critics are concerned that it may indirectly allow sex offenders to impact these vulnerable children.
Additionally, the program's involvement in creating model ships from popsicle sticks crafted by inmates, potentially including sex offenders, has sparked further debate. These crafts have been publicly displayed at locations like the Indiana War Memorial, leading to questions about the suitability of showcasing such items in spaces often visited by families and children.
We called the communications officers at the Indiana Department of Corrections and the GEO Group-run New Castle Correctional Facility. Neither returned our calls before press time.
Community Reactions and Criticisms
The involvement of sex offenders in New Castle Correctional Facility's programs has provoked an intense backlash from the community and child safety advocates. Despite the programs' intentions to rehabilitate inmates and equip them with valuable skills, the associated risks to children have sparked urgent calls for a reassessment of the program's structure and participant selection.
The core of the debate lies in striking a balance between the effectiveness of rehabilitation efforts and the imperative of public safety, with a particular emphasis on protecting children. Both GEO Group and Indiana Corrections are facing criticism for what is perceived as a lack of foresight in understanding the consequences of allowing sex offenders to participate in these programs.
Inmate Perspectives: Rehabilitation and Growth
Inmates like Bryan Hoffa and Scott Grose, neither of whom are sex offenders, have previously shared their personal experiences about New Castle Correctional Facility’s PLUS program. They say the program has impacted their rehabilitation and growth.
“The best thing I get out of this is the opportunity to give back to the community,” inmate Bryan Hoffa expressed.
Similarly, Scott Grose reflected on the transformative effect of the program. “There’s a sense of accomplishment...It' ’s a change in yourself and being a better person.”
These statements underscore the program’s potential for fostering a sense of purpose and positive change among inmates. However, despite these personal accounts highlighting the benefits of rehabilitation, they are juxtaposed against the overarching public safety concerns.
The involvement of child sex offenders in crafting items for children raises an entirely different set of concerns. While there is strong scientific evidence that therapeutic interventions work for criminal offenders overall, the effectiveness of treatment for sex offenders remains subject to debate.
Is the ‘Pedo Bears’ Oversight Lapse the Result of Controversial For-Profit Private Prisons?
The oversight lapse at New Castle Correctional Facility, especially in the "Pedo Bears" program, raises questions about the impact of for-profit private prisons on the quality and safety of correctional facilities. Reports indicate that private prisons, like the one managed by GEO Group, Inc., often pay their staff less, with $0.38 less per hour and $14,901 less annually than public prisons, coupled with 58 fewer hours of required training. This scenario contributes to a high turnover rate of 43%, nearly triple that of public prisons, suggesting staff might be less prepared and effective in their roles.
Even Justice Department reports concede more severe issues in privately-run facilities. These include higher incidences of contraband, lockdowns, assaults, and complaints about medical care and conditions of confinement. The report also notes understaffing as a central issue, leading to significant operational problems.
Private prisons also correlate with increased prison populations and longer sentences, potentially benefiting these facilities financially. With each prisoner costing about $60 per day, private prisons stand to gain millions from an increased inmate population. Additionally, these facilities often charge inflated prices for necessities and communication, exploiting inmates who earn minimal wages, further emphasizing the profit-driven model of such prisons.
In other words, the more incarcerated bodies there are, the higher the profit and bottom line of these contracted private companies.
In light of these findings, the controversy at New Castle Correctional Facility, including the involvement of pedophiles and sex offenders in programs like the "Pedo Bears," might reflect broader systemic issues inherent in the for-profit prison model. This raises critical concerns about whether the prioritization of profit in private prisons compromises the safety and effectiveness of rehabilitation programs, ultimately affecting public safety and inmate welfare.
Looking For Answers
The New Castle Correctional Facility, alongside GEO Group and Indiana Corrections, faces a complex challenge in balancing the need for effective inmate rehabilitation with ensuring public safety. However, the apparent lack of stringent oversight concerning pedophiles and sex offenders shows a glaring lack of concern for the need to protect vulnerable populations.
While providing meaningful inmate rehabilitation opportunities remains important, it is not a license for the prison system to become reckless. The controversy surrounding the "Pedo Bears" deserves clear answers from all parties, most notably the GEO Group, which hasn’t been forthcoming.
Richard Luthmann is a writer, commentator, and investigative reporter with degrees from Columbia University and the University of Miami. A transplanted New Yorker, Luthmann is a National Writers Union member and now living in Southwest Florida. Luthmann contributes to national publications, including Substack, Newsbreak, and Frank Report.