A well-rounded life has shaped Inspector General Robert A. Barton’s view of rehabilitation. He visited San Quentin State Prison to discuss talking at the TEDx event planned for early 2016.
“We can keep locking people up or we can try to change something because the prison system isn’t changing anything,” said Barton. “AB 109 was a Band-Aid. Long-term rehabilitation is the only solution.”
The Inspector General oversees the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and makes recommendations.
“I work for what’s best for the State of California,” said Barton. “The governor can’t fire me once I’m confirmed, so I can criticize the department.”
Barton has worked as a deputy inside a jail as well as a prosecutor. He has even traveled to Rwanda after the genocide. His journeys and background have given him perspective.
“The victim’s family and offender’s family are crying on both sides,” said Barton. “Our system isn’t set up for justice. How do you expect people to respect the system if there isn’t any justice in it?”
Barton sat in a circle with Delia Cohen, the TEDx event sponsor, inside members of the TEDx committee and a few other incarcerated Americans.
He discussed his background, which is on YouTube, and several big ideas he could share, such as hope in redemption.
A murder left Barton’s mother single with four kids by time he was 5. They were the minorities in a neighborhood filled with Puerto Ricans.
“I thought it was normal to fight everyday going to and from school,” said Barton.
His mother remarried when Barton was 10, and they moved to Fresno. He didn’t get along with his stepfather, and Barton became emancipated at 16.
In high school Barton got into several sports, including wrestling. His coach instilled in him the idea of self-discipline.
Determined to work his way through college, Barton worked nights in a jail. He started working for the sheriff’s department permanently after graduation.
“I didn’t want to be a police officer to arrest people; I wanted to be a police officer to help people,” said Barton.
A better way to help dawned on him while watching court proceedings.
“Prosecutors have all the power. If you want to change the system, you have to have prosecutors that have that mindset,” said Barton.
He earned a law degree at UC Davis and became a prosecutor, who would recommend diversion instead of prison time for youth.
“I haven’t gone to the other side. It’s all the same side,” said Barton. “If I come to the belief the person is innocent … then my job is to dismiss the case.”
Outside the prosecutor’s office, Barton was part of groups like the Police Activity League, The Victim/Witness Auxiliary board and Community Action Against Drugs and Alcohol (CAADAA).
“It was my effort to prevent people from coming into the system,” said Barton.
He then became Supervising Assistant Inspector General for the Central Region of California. Now, he is the Inspector General.
California Penal Code 6126 lists his duties.
He cannot order the CDCR to do anything; however, his office does have some influence. Every new warden has to get a recommendation from Barton.
“We ask every new warden, ‘What are you going to do to support programs?’” said Barton.
He also has the power of the pen. His reports end up in the media.
As a last resort, Barton can go to the legislature and request authority.
Plus, the Inspector General can enter any California prison at anytime, talk to anybody and look at any logs. He has the power to arrest anyone who tries to stop him and charge them with a misdemeanor. Getting a visit from the IG office usually solves the problem.
“We don’t get involved on an individual complaining that he doesn’t like his sandwich,” said Barton. “It has to be an actual injustice that needs to be corrected.”
Barton believes in the power of rehabilitation. His TEDx talk may center on the three-step process he says is needed.
Step one is getting people in a place where they are open to getting their triggers switched.
“It’s pretty hard to get someone to be self-aware in overcrowded conditions,” said Barton.
Second, is to give incarcerated Americans the opportunity to help them change, ie provide the space.
Third is providing the support.
“If you don’t give people hope, then there is no reason to change,” said Barton.
Barton talked about how Rwandans are moving forward after the genocide.
“They saw atrocious acts that make your crimes look like nothing,” said Barton. “Their society abhors violence because it was so bad. They are pacifist.”
Cohen added, “I never felt any sense that there was ever a genocide over there.”
Barton talked of seeing incarcerated Rwandans do a dance where the officers joined in.
“That’s an amazing mindset…They see them as future neighbors,” he said.
