Proponents of prison privatization argue that it is the silver bullet for the state’s budget crisis. An analysis by the Reason and Howard Jarvis foundations finds that expansion of California’s current use of public-private partnerships in corrections would save taxpayers nearly $2 billion over the next five years. The question is whether these cost savings are real, and what other costs there might be associated with privatization that would mitigate purported cost benefits.

Amy Sandberg

Prison corporations say their costs are lower because their facilities are managed more efficiently than state-run facilities. Since labor costs account for about two-thirds of prison operating costs, cost-savings come from their use of nonunion labor rather than better management practices.

However, the lower labor costs offered by private prisons come at the expense of quality staff. Poorly trained guards and higher turnover increase the risk of escapes, inmate violence and prisoner mistreatment. These unintended consequences of cost cutting are why we have a civil service in the first place.

Another reason private prisons appear less expensive is because they cherry pick only relatively healthy and non-violent inmates leaving the most expensive prisoners with taxpayers. For instance, five of eight private prisons serving Arizona do not accept inmates with “limited physical capacity and stamina” or severe physical illness or chronic conditions. In Florida, officials found that two private prisons spent only about half as much on health care per inmate as comparable state prisons.

From a moralistic perspective, some might argue prisoners are bad people who’ve done bad things and taxpayers should not pay for them to receive services while in prison such as medical treatment, vocational training, or psychological/rehabilitative counseling? This is a very short-sighted approach. If people leave prison in the same or worse shape than when they went in, the recidivism rate is very high. That hurts us all. On the other hand, if we invest in inmates, and help them find an alternative to a life of crime, we all benefit.

Another aspect of privatization often overlooked is the extent to which powerful corporations lobby for the interests of their bottom line. The two largest private prison corporations are major contributors to the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), the conservative legislation mill responsible for Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law. It stands to reason that private corporations only stand to gain financially from tougher criminal sentencing such as “Stand Your Ground” “three strike” and “truth in sentencing” laws.

Then there is the failed “War on Drugs.” In 2010, federal and state government spending on the drug war was estimated to be $35 billion dollars. The U.S. incarcerates nearly 2.4 million people for drug offenses — most of these non violent; if the offenders were all in one state, it would be the 36th most populated, between New Mexico and Nevada. Naturally, there are enormous costs associated with all this incarceration. California is spending more than $8 billion a year — more than 10 percent its state budget — on incarceration.

The current rate of incarceration in the U.S., is six-to-10 times greater than in other industrialized nations. That the United States leads the world in producing prisoners is a reflection of the distinctive American approach to crime and punishment. Americans are locked up for crimes — from writing bad checks to using drugs — that would rarely produce prison sentences in other countries. Discrimination also plays a role in the U.S. incarceration rate, but that’s another column for another day. California’s correctional system could probably use some fat trimmed, however simple privatization may not be as noble or cost-saving as it sounds. The biggest cost savings will come from reforming the penal code, not abdicating our responsibility to private corporations seeking to grow their bottom line.

Sandberg works in the book publishing industry. Reach her at sandberg8462@yahoo.com.

The most important point Amy makes is that macro-level comparisons are dangerous — as are most comparative studies on topics like this. Although the study sponsors would disagree, these studies rarely provide valid answers. At best they tell us what questions we should ask. But even those can often times be deceiving.

Dick Lyles

The worst approach to take in a debate such as this is that everything in the prison system should be privatized or everything shouldn’t. Although privatization often works, it’s not always the answer.

For example, the City of San Diego is rightly criticized for fiscal and operational mismanagement in many areas. There is an exception to this mismanagement, however, and it is a profound one. San Diego does not outsource its solid waste disposal operations. It is one of the best run — if not the best run — solid waste disposal operations in America. For several decades, under the superb leadership of Rich Hayes, the department was the most efficient, most highly rated in customer service, and most effective municipal government departments anywhere. Always under tremendous pressure to outsource, with lobbyists for private sector waste management putting extreme pressure on the council, a case could never be made for either saving money or improving service through privatization. Other cities and different departments all had different stories. But keeping solid waste disposal within the city has been the single best decision the San Diego City Council has made during the past three decades.

If either privatized or government services are mismanaged, disaster will occur. When San Diego outsourced their computer and IT services, the contracts were poorly managed. The result was orders-of-magnitude more waste than if they had provided the services internally.

But before addressing the question of insource versus outsource, or government versus private run prison systems, the state needs to address a more fundamental issue. What is our vision for our prison system? The vision should take into account the kinds of variables Amy identifies, such as physical and mental health, length of sentence, type of crimes, gender, and age. Then we should identify criteria and types of incarceration for each group. Then each category should be examined to determine the best incarceration strategy for its particular needs and risks. General statements such as “privatization might increase the risk of riots and escapes,” are irresponsible. I find it hard to apply that logic to a group of white collar criminals whose misdeeds were fraud, embezzlement and violations of securities trading laws.

Unions will want everything staffed by state employees who are members of their union. Chambers of commerce will want everything privatized. This is not a problem served by a “one size fits all” answer. There may be one answer for hard core, violent criminals who will eventually die in prison and another that is more rehabilitation-oriented for a first-time offender who is serving a two-year sentence for check fraud. One might be better served in a privatized operation linked to educational resources and the other may simply be warehoused until death.

Our current vision for prisons is outdated. It is time for a new vision that takes into account the demands of today’s circumstances. Only after a careful vision has been crafted (by competent parties other than the legislature or the unions) should we begin to create a strategic plan for breathing life into the vision and solving the plethora of problems that exist today.

If vision and strategy are properly crafted, the ideal solution likely will include both private sector and government employee operated prisons.

Lyles, a Poway resident, is an author and film producer. Reach him at dick@dicklyles.com.

Though Paul Kassel and his wife, Cindy, aren’t new to giving back to their community, they’ve found a new passion for volunteering thanks to the Elks Lodge.

Cindy and Paul Kassel

“We do a lot of community projects,” said Kassel, a longtime Powegian. “Our lodge is really involved in the community.”

The Elks hold a special place in Kassel’s heart. Kassel lived near the Elks Lodge in El Cajon as a kid, where he was always able to stop in and get a free sandwich. It was that memory that drew he and his wife to join when they heard about the local Elks Lodge. “We get to do a lot more through the Elks,” said Kassel.

One of their main focuses is on helping veterans however they can. Kassel and the Elks Lodge of Poway volunteer at the Veterans Hospital in San Diego, where they play bingo and spend quality time with the veterans, as well as bring snacks, coffee, juice, treat bags, books and reading glasses every ten weeks (the other nine weeks are covered by the nine other local chapters of the Elks Lodge in San Diego). “We love to support our veterans through the Elks Lodge, anyway we can,” said Kassel.

Kassel is also helping the Elks Lodge with an upcoming fundraiser for the Warrior Foundation, which helps injured and disabled military veterans returning from war.

Volunteering is nothing new to the Kassel family. When their children, Alisha, now 24 and Chase, now 21, were young, Kassel and his wife volunteered for a local children’s theater company that their daughter participated in, building sets and working backstage for 15 years. They also volunteered for the Poway High Choral department, where Cindy Kassel was president of the Boosters for a time.

Even tragedy couldn’t stop Kassel and his family from donating their time to the community. Despite losing their house in the 2007 Witch Creek fire, Kassel and his wife continued volunteering at Poway High School. After moving to Rancho Bernardo for two years while their house was rebuilt, the Kassels returned to Poway 11 months ago.

Kassel will be chairing the Elks Lodge float for the Poway Days Parade, and this summer will be part of the Lodge’s “Hoop Shoot” event, which will take place at the Poway Boys & Girls Club. Kids will compete by shooting baskets, and the top kids in three categories will win trophies. “These might be the only trophies they ever get,” said Kassel.

Paul and Cindy Kassel’s work with the Elks Lodge has become a family affair, with daughter Alisha joining the Elks as well. The father-and-daughter team chaired the Elks Lodge Scholarship committee together.

“We are always on the go, and part of what makes us so proud is how well our children have grown into such dedicated and hardworking adults, especially after having their home and personal belongings go up in smoke in the Witch Creek fires,” said Kassel.

Do you know someone who should be featured here? Contact editor Steve Dreyer at editor@pomeradonews.com or call him at 858-218-7207.

A Poway High grad has been awarded a $100,000 grant from Math for America, thanks to her love of teaching math.

Christina Depweg

Christina Depweg, who graduated from Poway High School in 2008, is the recipient of a fellowship from Math for America, a nonprofit organization that seeks to improve the quality of math teachers and provide them with the support they need to stay in the profession. Depweg’s fellowship will cover all the costs for her master’s degree in math education and her teaching credential at USC, and will provide an additional $100,000 over five years – one year while she’s in graduate school, and four years while she’s teaching at a high-need high school in Los Angeles. Depweg plans on doing an accelerated master’s degree and teaching credential program at USC, which will begin in June and finish next May.

“I really like math in the sense that it’s so abstract,” said Depweg. “There’s always a logical sequencing to it, it’s a challenge to figure out.” Depweg, a fan of puzzles and challenging brain-teaser games, not only enjoys the challenging way math makes people think, but the definite nature of it. “In math, there’s always a right answer,” said Depweg.

Depweg didn’t always intent to immerse herself in math. “I actually scored lowest in math on my SATs and in class,” said Depweg.

Depweg was an involved student, part of Link Crew, in choir (she sang in Die Lieders in her senior year) and a member of the cross country and track teams. When an injury ended her running days, Depweg instead started working in an after-school program at Midland Elementary, working with students.

It was a frustrated fifth-grader who really awakened her love of teaching math.

“He was having trouble understanding a three-digit multiplication problem, and was crying because the other teacher couldn’t help,” said Depweg. Depweg related the problem to two-digit multiplication, something the student had already mastered.

“The look of joy and accomplishment on his face, that was the moment I knew I wanted to be a teacher,” said Depweg.

Discovering Math for America and the offered fellowship was a stroke of luck for Depweg, who was looking to get her master’s degree. Depweg’s sister, who is a statistician for a company in San Diego, found out about the program from a coworker.

“It has a very rigorous application process,” Depweg said of the fellowship.

After completing her required four years teaching in Los Angeles, Depweg says she’s thinking about returning to Poway to teach.

“My roots are definitely in Poway,” said Depweg.

Poway Community Orchestra conductor Warren Torns.

The concert will feature the Overture to “The Impresario,” three marches, the Symphony No. 40, and the Horn Concerto No. 3, which will include a solo performance by Rachel Ward on French horn.

The concert is free; donations to defray costs will be graciously accepted. The Poway Community Symphony Orchestra is organized through the Poway Adult School, a department of the Poway Unified School District.

For more information, visit www.powaysymphony.org.

It is not often that a musical can simultaneously entertain and challenge the audience. “The Scottsboro Boys” at The Old Globe through June 10 successfully does both.

Among those in “The Scottsboro Boys” are cast members, from left, David Bazemore, Eric Jackson, James T. Lane and Shavey Brown. The musical is at The Old Globe through June 10. Photo by Henry DiRocco

The 12-time Tony Award-nominated show is based on a real legal case — the conviction of nine black males, ages 13 to 19, falsely accused of raping two white women in March 1931 in Alabama. Their first trial was held two weeks later, but several subsequent trials — including death sentences decreed for two — occurred over many years, even after one woman recanted the rape accusation and the U.S. Supreme Court found the rights of the accused were violated.

The case became one of the early sparks in the Civil Rights movement, not only for American society, but particular individuals as revealed in the show’s jolting conclusion that on opening night momentarily left the audience silent before breaking into a standing ovation.

Such praise from audiences at the conclusion of theatrical shows is rather commonplace these days, warranted or not, but with this West Coast premier of “The Scottsboro Boys” the standing ovation was well deserved.

The show entertains while addressing a somber topic because it presents the Scottsboro Boys’ story as a minstrel show, a lively form of entertainment popular in that era. Per the show’s program, show creators John Kander and Fred Ebb (music and lyrics) and David Thompson (book) chose a minstrel form to reflect the legal and media circus that surrounded the controversial case.

Through minstrel, the musical comes across as lighthearted, especially in the beginning since the minstrel players in their show portray each of the nine accused youths.

With the exception of one woman, the all-male cast portrays multiple roles including those of accusers Victoria Price and Ruby Bates. Clifton Oliver and James T. Lane, who play the women respectively, are hilarious.

Among other notable performances was that of Haywood Patterson by Clifton Duncan. He has a strong singing voice, as evidenced in his solo “Nothin’” and his emotional portrayal is moving.

There are many lively musical numbers that showcase the cast’s terrific and impressive tap dancing skills. These include “Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey!;” “Electric Chair” with youngest cast member Nile Bullock portraying 13-year-old Eugene Williams — the young actor will likely have a bright future as he kept up with his more experienced cast mates; and “Shout!” The numbers were choreographed by director Susan Stroman who did the same for the Broadway production and is a five-time Tony winner.

There are several in the cast with Broadway credentials: Tony-winner Ron Holgate (The Interlocutor), Eric Jackson (Clarence Norris), James T. Lane (Ozie Powell), JC Montgomery (Mr. Tambo), Clifton Oliver (Charles Weems) and Clinton Roane (Roy Wright). Roane and Montgomery were in “The Scottsboro Boys” original Broadway cast and Lane joined later.

“The Scottsboro Boys” can be seen in matinee and evening performances through June 10 on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage at The Old Globe Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park.

Tickets start at $39. Purchase at www.TheOldGlobe.org, 619-234-5623 or the box office.

Free or $10 valet parking is available.

Last week foundation representatives briefed the school board on some broad outlines involving the possible use of corporate sponsorships on campus. While nothing was decided during the workshop session, the foundation plans to develop some proposed guidelines over the next few months and return for further discussion with the board.

Their premise is simple: Why not look to the private sector for money that could help offset staggering revenue losses that have come largely from Sacramento’s bungling of the budget? Why not expand fundraising opportunities to (carefully selected) companies interested in having their advertising messages seen by students and their parents?

Would anyone really be upset over advertising in a high school football stadium or gym? What about a sports program having exclusive relationships with the makers of equipment or uniforms? Would it be worth it for the district to place tasteful advertising on lockers or on outside classroom walls? How about in cafeterias and multi-purpose rooms?

Yes, it’s not what schools typically consider doing. But these are not typical times for public education.

On Monday, Gov. Jerry Brown announced that California’s budget outlook is much bleaker than previously thought. The projected deficit has grown from $9 billion to $15 billion in less than six months, he said. While he and other state leaders are hoping voters will approve a temporary sales tax increase in November, the chance of that happening appears slim.

If nothing changes on the financial horizon, PUSD is projecting budget deficits exceeding $25 million next year and $30 million in 2013-14. At least $7.5 million in spending cuts are being looked at for next year.

True, corporate sponsorships won’t begin to make significant impacts on these funding gaps. But every budget dollar replaced by private money will be freed up for other educational needs.

The foundation’s presentation to the board last week was a good start. We look forward to listening to continued dialogue on the question of new private-public partnerships in our schools.

Plastic grocery bags are made from petroleum by-products (stuff that is left after fuels and lubricants and such are processed). Early on, petroleum companies started working on what to do with what was left over. One of the thousands of products developed is plastic grocery bags.

What if we outlaw plastic grocery bags? Are the materials they are made from going to magically disappear? Not a chance. The result might be these materials being turned to waste or used for something far less desirable than grocery bags.

What is the answer? Several decades ago our highways were heavily littered with beverage containers but a fairly effective solution was found for that problem, without outlawing single-use beverage containers. A similar solution can easily be found for the grocery bag dilemma.

In my opinion, outlawing grocery bags is pure tokenism in its worst form by people whose only interest is imposing their will on others.

People, first, get a life, and then find a real, workable solution for the problem.

Carl Dotson, Poway

Lyles simply dislikes president

As a lifelong moderate Republican, I am relieved to learn that Mr. Lyles (May 3) has finally defined his true feelings toward President Obama. It appears that there are just two things he dislikes about our president: everything he says and everything he does.

E. L. Martin, Poway

Enjoyed student’s teacher tribute

I have just read the inspiring article by Parker Beatty praising his teachers.

This contrasted greatly to the tripe from your regular learned and mature contributors. Your columnists constantly put forth the belief that the causes of all of our ills are the result of our pillaging president, our incompetent teachers, the lazy and dishonest immigrants entering our country, and the greedy unions. If we got rid of all of these forces, America would be once again the shining beacon for the world, and our society would be utopian. Please.

May I humbly suggest more columns by our young people like Parker Beatty. We have five very good high schools in our community with thousand of eager and bright young students. Perhaps our neighbors, both young and old, would benefit more from their wisdom than the rantings of your regulars. I would strongly suggest that your editorial staff solicit opinions from the future leaders of our country.

Joseph H. Traxler, M.D., Rancho Bernardo

Has anyone seen her bicycle?

Last week I discovered that my bicycle had been stolen from my Hilltop Circle garage. It’s a red Ellsworth “Truth,” custom built for me in 1998 by North of the Border Bikes, a small, local company. I’ve raced with that bike and rode hundreds, if not thousands, of miles of trails, many of which were shared with my beloved Maya running beside me.

I lost Maya late last fall. There will always be an empty space in my heart for her, but now it’s a little bigger.

I can provide a list of the bike’s parts as well as its serial number.

I am also willing to buy the bike back, no questions asked. This bike holds true sentimental value for me; so much more than it could ever be monetarily valued at.

If you have my bike, or know where it is, please contact me at 858-231-9904.

Nan Hodgetts, Poway

(Editor’s note: Hodgetts reported Wednesday morning that she found the bike.)

Three-wheeled bikes — also known as adult tricycles — are a great cycling option for older boomers and seniors, especially those who have concerns with their balance or stamina. Here’s what you should know, along with some tips to help you shop for one.

Safer cycling

If you’d like to take up bike riding, but worry about falling, an adult tricycle is a smart option to consider because of the stability it provides. With a tricycle, you can ride as slow as you want without ever losing your balance and you can put both feet on the ground while seated, which is very reassuring for many older riders.

In addition, adult tricycles are also made with a low “step through” design making mounting and dismounting much easier than a traditional bike; they come with big tires that ensure a smooth ride; have raised, ergonomic handlebars that are easier to reach and grip; and offer oversize seats (some even have backrests) for comfort and support. And, other than the frame, tricycles use the same standard components as traditional bikes do, so replacement parts are readily available, and repairs are not an issue.

Types of tricycles

There are literally dozens of different types of adult tricycles to choose from with prices ranging anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. To help you figure out the right kind of tricycle that meets your needs and budget, here’s a breakdown of the different styles and costs, along with some popular models to checkout.

• Upright: If you’re primarily interested in a leisurely ride around the neighborhood for pleasure, fitness or running errands, upright trikes are a good choice. These are traditional upright-positioned tricycles that come with rear cargo baskets and limited gear options usually ranging from one to three-speeds. Some popular models in this category include the Schwinn Meridian Adult Tricycle sold at Walmart and Target for around $270, the Sun Traditional 24 trike (see sunbicycles.com) that retails for around $375, and the Torker TriStar three-speed (torkerusa.com) which costs around $500.

• Recumbent: These are the lower-to-the-ground, stretched-out frame tricycles that allow you to recline with your legs positioned in front of you. Available in various styles, recumbent trikes are very comfy, easy on the back and aerodynamic which make them ideal for long rides. See terratrike.com, sunbicycles.com, industrialbicycles.com, trailmate.com and bikemania.biz for a nice variety, but be aware that recumbent trikes are more expensive than upright models, typically ranging between $800 and $2,500.

• Tandem: If you plan to ride primarily with your spouse or another partner, you may want to get a tandem tricycle that comes with two seats (front and back), or you can get a double seat tricycle with the seats side-by-side. You can find these types of bikes for around $1,000 to $2,000, at the same websites that offer recumbent trikes.

• Folding: If you like to travel or if you have limited storage space, tricycles that are designed to fold up to fit in tight spaces are another popular option. The Adventurer Three-Speed Folding Trike which sells for $390 at adventurebikes.com, Kent Westport Folding Tricycle sold at Target and amazon.com for $300, and Walmart’s Port-O-Trike 3-Speed Folding Tricycle for $400 are three good folding trikes to consider.

• Electric: If you need a boost from time to time, electric tricycles are hybrids that have pedals and an electric motor, so you can exercise when you want or you can sit back and let the trike do the work. Some good options include the EW-88 electric trike at electricwheelstore.com for $1,200, and the Cabbike 3 Electric Tricycle offered through cabbikes.com for $979.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

Please explain car promotions.  — Joe Korda, Poway

U.S. car sales are booming since December. Projected 2012 domestic unit sales are 14.5 million. From Audi to Volkswagen, good times are returning. Now car promotions are coming back.

Rob Weinberg

Some companies use newspaper ads or Web-based videos. Others combine promotional budgets from multiple dealerships and jointly invite their mailing lists for a day of fun.

And let’s not forget discounted prices and lower interest rates. Think of them as cents-off coupons, only for automobiles.

Say you’re debating between buying a Chevy Cruze and Toyota Corolla, both costing $20,000. Toyota, recovering from 2011’s poor sales, offers a $3,000 sales incentive.

You benefit by buying your car for $3,000 under MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price), and Toyota sales increase. In three months Corollas are again fully priced as the promotion ends.

With sales plummeting, Chevy offers a zero percent car loan. Their sales perk up at Toyota’s expense, and Toyota fights back, again offering a known winner: $3,000 rebates.

An endless cycle begins, with consumers unmotivated to buy until their preferred company offers a money-saving promotion. The value of both franchises is diminished as consumers lose any incentive to pay full price. “If I wait a month or so” the thinking goes “the car I want will be cheaper.”

The economic turmoil just ending had successfully broken this cycle, and the car companies may still wean customers from this costly habit. However, with Toyota already giving money off the Corolla and Cruze sales down 30 percent in April, pricing retaliation from GM is probably only a matter of time.

Interestingly, cars like Rolls Royce, Corvette and Mercedes don’t run such promotions, feeling it would cheapen the brand in consumers’ eyes. These firms let product quality, reputation, image, and word-of-mouth sell for them.

Which suggests long-term business improvement means building a reputation for quality and service. Use sales promotions sparingly, when sales need a boost, but as part of an overall strategy of growth.

Becoming too reliant on sales promotions, without plans for building your overall image as a premium brand, is a guaranteed race to the bottom where price alone determines whether or not you make the sale.

With that said, I wish you a week of profitable marketing.

Mr. Marketing is a 30-year marketing veteran with experience in every type of marketing tool. Get his personalized advice at www.askmrmarketing.com.