CURE stands for Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants. The national office is in Washington, D.C. and there are chapters in all 50 states. The D.C. chapter states, “Our goal is to reduce the use of prisons to only those who must be confined and to seek opportunities and treatment to allow those in prison to turn their lives around.”
The Texas Mission Statement gives its view of the purpose in a more amplified statement that says, “Texas CURE monitors and interacts with elected officials and political candidates to raise their awareness of the value of preventive rehabilitation, restorative policies, and programs that prevent crime. We advocate for laws that demand safe and healthy prison units, with qualified wardens and officers. We encourage prisoners and their families to participate in efforts to educate the public and politicians regarding prison conditions. We inform prisoners, prisoner’s families, victims’ families, and other interested persons about the resources available to those undergoing the effects of crime and violence. As membership grows, our voices become stronger.”
“We encourage respect for, and understanding of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. (It) has many good administrators who want to operate a humane and constitutional institution. TDC administrators do not want “loose cannons” or corrupt officers (in these institutions) any more than we do. Administrators appreciate our reporting employees who violate prison policies. We strive to work with the system, not against it.”
They then quote Dostoyevsky, “The degree of a civilization in a society can be judged by entering its prisons.”
The CURE chapters are made up of social workers, former prisoners and other interested persons, some who work for law enforcement.
The Texas chapter was founded by Charles and Pauline Sullivan, who are now based here in Washington, D.C. and head up National CURE and International CURE.
The group addresses concerns such as loss of civil rights and treatment of sex offenders. Washington, for example, does not allow felons to vote. In some states sexual offenders who need treatment but are required, in some states, to serve their sentence before they can be civilly committed. Their situation seems to present a plethora of legal issues.
The purpose of this group is commendable.
