Legislation allows gifts on tax returns to assist those with substance use disorders

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul has signed legislation (S.4086/A.6553) establishing the Substance Use Disorder Education and Recovery Fund and authorizing gifts, on personal income tax returns, for substance use disorder education and recovery.

“The fight against substance use is a personal one for me, and I am proud to take steps in New York to combat this epidemic,” Governor Hochul said. “Allowing New Yorkers to support members of their community with these gifts is an invaluable way to get everyone working together to save lives. Those struggling with substance use issues deserve our help and support as they go through recovery and in New York we are ensuring that they have just that.”

Legislation S.4086/A.6553 creates a personal income tax check-off which will be known as the Substance Use Disorder Education and Recovery Fund. Money in this fund is to be used for providing grants to organizations dedicated to providing education, prevention, treatment or recovery to those suffering from substance use disorders.

Tom Bindeman, director of the Nioga Library System, said many local public libraries helped residents with internet access, including people using the WiFi in parking lot after hours.

ALBION – The public libraries in Orleans County are making their annual request for county funding, and this time the libraries say they are playing an important role in helping to bridge the digital divide in the county.

The libraries see many patrons come in to use computers with internet access during regular business hours for the libraries.  And many also use the libraries’ WiFi in parking lot after hours for internet access, said Tom Bindeman, executive director of the Nioga Library Sytsem, which includes libraries in Niagara, Orleans and Genesee counties.

“We have people applying for jobs online, applying to colleges online from the parking lot,” he told county legislators last week.

Bindeman and leaders from the four public libraries in Orleans met with the County Legislature to ask for funding in the 2022 budget.

The libraries would like to collectively receive $1 per resident or $40,343. The budget in 2021 included $10,087 that was split up among the libraries in Albion, Holley, Lyndonville and Medina.

The county was giving $29,914 to be shared among the four libraries as recently as 2002, but that dropped to $7,480 in 2003. Since then, the amount was raised to $12,587 in 2007, $13,617 in 2010, and then was cut to $10,087 in 2011. It hasn’t changed since then.

Sandra Shaw, director of the Community Free Library in Holley, thanked legislators for the support in the county budget. She said the libraries are doing more shared programming and borrowing from each other’s collections with the inter-loan program.

The libraries also have embraced Zoom video conferencing during the pandemic to reach people with programming who are off site.

And the libraries offer an extensive online book collection to their patrons, Bindeman said.

The libraries and their internet resources are important in the Nioga system “because there are many dead spots in the three counties,” Bindeman said about the high-speed internet gaps.

2 counties among highest positivity rates in state

Orleans and Genesee counties together have 204 more Covid cases since Monday, and the two counties have a positivity rate more than three times the state average.

Orleans has had 118 more cases of Covid since Monday, and Genesee has 86 more. There are now 472 active cases in the two counties, with Orleans up from 200 to 243 active cases in the past three days. Genesee has a decline in active cases, from 271 to 229 since Monday.

Genesee has had more recoveries in the three days, with 123 more previously positive individuals completing their 10-day isolation and being removed from mandatory isolation.

Orleans had 73 more recoveries since Monday, but added 118 new cases.

Genesee currently has 15 people hospitalized due to Covid and Orleans has seven residents in the hospital from Covid.

Orleans also is reporting a resident over age 65 has passed away from Covid. This is the 90^th death from Covid of an Orleans resident during the pandemic since March 2020. Genesee has had 135 people pass away due to Covid during the pandemic.

In New York, the state-wide percentage of Covid tests that have been positive in the past seven days is 2.30 percent.

That positivity rate is much higher locally. Orleans is at 8.5 percent, and Genesee is at 7.8 percent.

Only three counties have a higher rate than Orleans: Hamilton, 9.6 percent; Allegany, 9.2 percent; and Cattaraugus, 8.9 percent.

Press Release, Congressman Chris Jacobs

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) cosponsored the Illegal Immigrant Payoff Prohibition Act to prevent the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) from providing payments to illegal immigrants stemming from claims following their illegal entry into the United States.

“The administration’s secret plan to reward illegal immigrants with $450,000 each for breaking our laws is sickening, and it should be insulting to every American. This payment would be larger than the amount awarded to Gold Star families after the death of a loved one in our armed services,” Jacobs said. “Let that sink in. President Biden’s Justice Department wants to give more money to those who enter our country illegally than those who fought died for our nation and our freedom.”

Last week the Wall Street Journal reported the Justice Department was considering giving $450,000 each to certain illegal immigrants who were separated at the southern border during the Trump administration. Many were separated due to safety and child trafficking concerns when there was not a clear ability to verify the identity and familial connection of an adult. When asked this week, President Biden claimed reports of these payments were “garbage” only for the ACLU to assert he was out of the loop and had not been fully briefed by his DOJ officials.

For reference, the current payment awarded to the family of a service member killed in the line of duty is only $100,000. The Biden administration’s plan would surpass this four times over.

“At every turn, the President and his administration have blatantly ignored our southern border. When they focus on it, they encourage illegal immigration instead of stopping it. This plan sends a clear message that you can break our laws, and not only will we not arrest you, but we will also reward you,” Jacobs said. “I am proud to cosponsor this legislation to stop these payments and protect the sanctity of our laws.”

MEDINA – The Medina Area Association of Churches’ annual Christmas Barrel program got a kickoff Wednesday morning with delivery of 40 barrels to locations throughout Medina.

This marks about 40 years Medina firefighters have volunteered to deliver the barrels, which this year went to schools, the library, YMCA, churches, the Senior Center, Lakewood Village and two dozen businesses and medical offices.

This is the fourth year Sherry Tuohey has been coordinator of the MAAC barrels. Last year she spent hours and hours cleaning and prepping them and applying new holiday decals.

She said they were very happy the barrels could be placed in Medina’s three schools this year, after being unable to due to the pandemic last year.

Medina firefighters Dustin Pahura and Steven Long load MAAC Red Christmas barrels on a pickup truck for delivery to stores, churches, schools and other locations in the Medina area.

Medina Fire Chief Matt Jackson said the firefighters are grateful for the opportunity to help with this tradition every year.

“We are happy to be able to bring a little cheer to the community,” he said.

The community is asked to start filling the barrels with new gifts, including toys, games, puzzles, books, stuffed animals and crafts for all ages, especially teenagers.

Also part of the MAAC Christmas program are the mitten trees, headed by Marilyn Hiwiller, who has distributed them to area churches and Lee-Whedon Memorial Library for many years. Area residents are asked to place new hats, mittens, gloves, scarves and socks for all ages on these trees. Every member of a family who receives a Christmas box from MAAC will receive a hat, scarf, gloves and socks.

The Red Barrels will be out in the community until they are picked up Dec. 8 and returned to Grove United Methodist Church, where MAAC volunteers will fill Christmas boxes for eligible families.

Tuohey stresses that all donations of gifts, clothing and cash to MAAC stay in the Medina area to help families who reside in the Medina and Knowlesville zip codes. This includes children to age 18, parents/guardians and senior citizens 62 and older.

She said each gift box will contain food for Christmas dinner, to include meat, boxed potatoes, stuffing, vegetables and dessert, as well as canned fruit and cereal.

The Red Barrels will be delivered to families on Dec. 18 by members of local firefighters, including Medina, Ridgeway, Shelby and East Shelby.

Monetary donations can be made to MAAC’s Christmas Box Program by mailing a check to 536 Orient St., Medina.

Applications for Christmas boxes can be made at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1355 West Ave., from 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 9 and 16; at the Senior Citizen’s Center, 615 West Ave., from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 9 and 16; and at Calvary Tabernacle Assembly of God at their new church at 11031 Maple Ridge Rd., from 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 11 and 18.

Income guidelines apply. Applicants should bring proof of household (birth certificates, Social Security cards), proof of residence (any household bill), proof of income (Social Services award letter, SSD/SSI/SSP award letter, pay stubs or most recent tax return) or SNAP letter.

Provided photo: Members of the Barker Lions Club – Brenda Walker-Reiner, Scott Reiner and Fran Costello – stuff envelopes for the club’s annual appeal.

Press Release, Barker Lions Club

BARKER – In 1927, Helen Keller came to the Lions International Convention and said,  “The opportunity I bring you, Lions is this: To foster and sponsor the work of the American Foundation of the Blind. Will you not help me hasten the day when there shall be no preventable blindness; no little deaf, blind child untaught; no blind man or woman unaided? I appeal to you, Lions, you who have your sight, your hearing; you who are strong and brave and kind. Will you not constitute yourselves Knights of the Blind in this crusade against darkness? I thank you.”

Since that time, Lions have sought to aid those who need. Barker Lions are proud to continue this work. During the past year, Barker Lions have aided members of our community by providing hearing aids,  eye exams and glasses for those who cannot afford them. The group also provides wheelchair lifts or ramps for those in the community who need them.

In addition, the Club sponsored scholarships for graduating seniors who volunteered in our community, held a Halloween party for elementary school students, sponsored a Boy Scout troop and Little League team. Lions could also be found volunteering at the local food pantry, Tour de Cure, and at the Barker Homecoming Parade.

Our outreach into the community includes holding pancake breakfasts and chicken barbecues. The Club often partners with another organization such as the Barker Music Boosters or Foreign Language Club to aid their fundraising activities.

When asked why he is a Lion, Current Club President Scott Ecker said, “My father was a Lion and I grew up participating in Lions activities. I‘ve seen how many people we have helped over the years and am excited to continue this legacy. In fact, this is my second time as President of the club. When you work with a diverse and dynamic group like the Barker Lions you not only fulfill Helen Keller’s mission but have fun along the way.”

The other current officers of the Barker Lions are Vice Presidents Dale Corwin, Phil Russell and Abe Sullivan, Secretary Margo Sue Bittner and Treasurer Jim Bittner.

If you would like to receive one of the flyers, contact the Lions at Roar@BarkerLions.org or call 716-778-7001. Donations can be mailed to PO Box 123, Barker, NY 14012.

We invite the members of our community to join us by volunteering for one of our projects, visiting or speaking at one of our meetings, making a donation and asking about membership.  For more information about our activities, please check our website, www.BarkerLions.org or email Roar@BarkerLions.org.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Medina defenders Chris Johnson (52), Dominic Larabee (7) and Josh Wilson (41), shown here tackling Lackawanna quarterback William Gechell during the regular season meeting between the teams, and their Mustang teammates will host the Steelers in the Class C semifinals at 7 p.m. Friday at Vets Park.

A familiar foe will provide the opposition as No. 1 seed defending champion Medina hosts No. 5 Lackawanna in the semifinals of the Section VI Class C playoffs at 7 p.m. Friday at Vets Park.

It will be a rematch of a regular season game which saw Medina post a 34-16 win at Lackawanna, a contest which was tight into the third quarter.

Medina jumped out to a 20-0 lead but Lackawanna answered with a pair of quick second quarter touchdown passes to slice the lead to 20-16 at the half. The Mustangs opened up a little breathing room with a third period touchdown and then locked up the win with a TD in the final stanza.

“It’s always tough to play a team the second time especially a team that has the athletes they do. We learned that a few years ago,” said Medina Coach Eric Valley in referring to the two meetings between the Mustangs and Steelers just five years ago during the 2016 season.

Those were truly a tale of two very different games as Medina romped to a 48-6 win over Lackawanna during the regular season only to see the Steelers turn the tables and defeat the Mustangs 16-8 in the sectionals.

The Mustangs bring a 9-0 record into Friday’s contest while the Steelers, which have won three in a row, are 5-4.

“They have the ability to strike quick so we have to continue to play well,” said Valley. “Establishing the line of scrimmage and winning the turnover battle will be key.”

Offensively the Steelers are led by quarterback William Gechell (687 yards passing with 8 touchdowns), running back Amir Douglas (537 yards rushing with 5 TDs) and receiver Ashlin Alexander-Hall (18 receptions for 277 yards and 5 TDs).

Quarterback Xander Payne, who has passed for 1,274 yards and a school record 21 touchdowns leads the Medina attack.

The Mustangs receiving corps is led by Jarin Rhim (30 receptions for 391 yards and 7 TDs), Greg Thompson (15 for 364 yards and 5 TD), Joe Cecchini (16 for 254 yards and 4 TD) and Iverson Poole (9 for 164 yards and 4 TD).

On the ground, Poole has rushed for 558 yards and 9 TDs and Noah Skinner 526 yards and 7TDs.

In the earlier win over the Steelers, Payne ran for one touchdown and completed TD passes to Cecchini and Poole to give Medina the early 20-0 lead. He later hooked up with Rhim for a third quarter TD pass giving the Mustangs some breathing room and Skinner put a lock on the win by bulldozing his way for a 45 yard TD run in the final quarter.

Defensively for the Mustangs Skinner has been in on 53 tackles, Hayden Woodroe 47, Cecchini 41, Chris Johnson 37, Poole 35, Dominic Larabee 32 and Josh Wilson 28. Cecchini also has 9 sacks, Robert Arnold 5 and Larabee 3.

The other Class C semifinal will have No. 7 Southwestern facing No. 3 Fredonia at 7 p.m. Friday at Dunkirk.

That will also be a rematch of a regular season game which saw Fredonia edge Southwestern 27-25. Fredonia built up a 27-7 lead only to see Southwestern rally for 18 fourth quarter points to make the finish close.

Fredonia is 9-0 and Southwestern 6-3 with the Trojans three losses coming by a total of only four points.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion running back Jacob Hughson and his Purple Eagle teammates will take on Iroquois in the Class B semifinals on Friday.

Fresh from snapping a two game losing streak by scoring a muddy 8-7 win over visiting No. 6 seed Olean last week in the quarterfinal round of the Section VI Class B football playoffs, No. 3 seed Albion now faces a much bigger challenge this weekend.

The Purple Eagles will take on undefeated (9-0) No. 2 seed Iroquois in the Class B semifinals at 7 p.m. Friday at East Aurora.

Iroquois, which advanced with a 49-0 quarterfinal romp over No. 7 Cheektowaga, is led by quarterback Trey Kleitz who has passed for 2,030 yards and 33 touchdowns. His leading receivers have been Nate McGoldrick (38 receptions for 754 yards and 15 touchdowns), Trevor Barry (39 for 483 yards and 6 TDs) and Kendall Mariacher (16 for 182 yards and 5 TDs). Barry also leads the Chiefs ground attack with 1,128 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns.

Albion, which is 6-2, is paced by Javon Jones who has 428 yards receiving and 5 touchdowns and 147 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns and Jacob Hughson with 265 yards rushing and 5 TDs.

The other Class B semifinal will have No. 1 Maritime (7-2) vs. No. 4 West Seneca East (7-2) on Saturday. Maritime blanked No. 8 Pioneer 36-0 and West Seneca East downed No. 5 Maryvale 38-6 in the quarterfinals.

The unemployment rate in Orleans County is at 4.3 percent, based on the latest data from the State Department of Labor.

That is the first time the county’s rate has dropped below 5 percent during the Covid-19 pandemic which started in March 2020. It peaked at 16.8 percent in April 2020. This year it’s been as high as 7.6 percent in February.

The rate is down from 5.7 percent in July and 5.6 percent in August to 4.3 percent in September.

The 4.3 percent compares to 5.6 percent a year earlier in September 2020. Orleans has about 500 more people working, from 16,000 to 16,500, with the number on unemployment down from 1,000 to 700 from September 2020 to the same month in 2021, according to the state DOL.

Nationally the unemployment rate is down from 7.7 percent in September 2020 to 4.6 percent this September with 6.23 million more people working, from 147.8 million to 154.0 million.

In New York, the unemployment rate is down from 9.9 percent in September 2020 to 6.3 percent in September 2021, with 282,100 more people working in the state (from 8.38 million to 8.67 million).

Bronx has the highest unemployment rate in the state at 12.4 percent and Yates County is the lowest at 3.2 percent.

Nearby unemployment rates for September include:

• Niagara, 4.8
• Genesee, 3.7
• Livingston, 3.6
• Wyoming, 3.6
• Monroe, 4.7
• Erie, 4.7

MEDINA – Among the 132 banners hanging throughout Medina is one paying tribute to a local farmer and veteran of the Civil War.

Asa Hill enlisted Nov. 14, 1863 and served in Company D, 28th New York Infantry.

This monument in Millville Cemetery for Asa Hill, a Shelby farmer and Civil War veteran, is unique, as it is the only one in Orleans County to have been selected for inclusion in Save Outdoor Sculpture, a joint project of the National Museum of American Art, Smithsonian Institution and the National Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Property.

His banner was sponsored by his great-granddaughter, Joyce Hill Cook, now a resident of Florida.

Asa’s  farm, known as Hill Top Farm, was located on Sanderson Road. An article in the Medina Journal Register on April 22, 1993 by county historian C.W. Lattin reports the once-stylish house, tenant house, barns and outbuildings are all gone. The Root brothers farm part of the farm today.

It is also interestingly noted Asa is depicted on his monument with both legs, although he had lost one in battle, and he is poised looking toward his farm two miles to the west.

Cook shared that her ancestor was a faithful member of the Shelby Center Baptist Church. He married Catherine “Kate” Bodine of Clinton, N.J. in 1875, with which he had a son, Asa Bodine Hill, Cook’s grandfather.

Asa was wounded Aug. 9, 1862 in the battle of Cedar Mountain, Va., taken prisoner on Aug. 18, 1862, taken to Libby Prison Sept. 25, 1862 and exchanged Oct. 6, 1862 at Harrison’s Landing. He was discharged Jan. 14, 1863.

Cook remembers hearing stories about the loss of his leg. While in Libby Prison, he was give whiskey and a broom handle wrapped in a towel when they sawed his leg off with a meat saw. Afterward, gangrene set in and they put live maggots into the wound to eat the dead flesh. Cook says it must have worked, and Asa was confined to Central Park Hospital until his discharge. He died in 1881.

The village of Medina will begin taking the banners down around Veterans’ Day. Woodruff has already accepted her quota of applications for 2022 banners.

The turnout for the recent local election, which included candidates for towns and county offices, was 26.7 percent or 6,519 voters out of 24,415 registered countywide. That included nine days of early voting and the general election on Nov. 2.

Many of the races were uncontested. Towns without opposition for the candidates had the lowest turnout – 18.3 percent in Albion where three candidates were unopposed.

That compared to the 45.6 percent in Barre, where the town supervisor was contested and two councilmen faced write-in opposition.

Here is a breakdown of the turnout at each of the 10 towns.

• Albion: 18.3% – 631 voted out of 3,446 registered
• Barre: 45.6% – 599 voted out of 1,314 registered
• Carlton: 32.3% – 644 voted out of 1,996 registered
• Clarendon: 26.7% – 653 voted out of 2,449 registered
• Gaines: 23.1% – 449 voted out of 1,941 registered
• Kendall: 34.2% – 613 voted out of 1,793 registered
• Murray: 25.8% – 749 voted out of 2,908 registered
• Ridgeway: 25.1% – 998 voted out of 3,977 registered
• Shelby: 22.3% – 670 voted out of 3,001 registered
• Yates: 32.3% – 513 voted out of 1,590 registered
• Orleans County: 26.7% – 6,519 voted out of 24,415 registered

MEDINA – A new cigar store and smoking lounge is the latest venture of an entrepreneurial Medina family.

On Saturday, Jim and Cindy Robinson, their son and daughter-in-law, Joseph and Amanda Robinson, daughter and son-in-law Heather and Dave Burd and daughter Becky Robinson will welcome customers at the grand opening of  Vintage Cigar, the area’s first cigar store and smoking lounge at 513 main St.

The Robinson’s son-in-law Dave Burd, who lived with his wife Heather Robinson Burd in Texas, came up with the idea for the business during a visit here.

“We used to come home every year, and I said this town needs a man cave,” Burd said. “There’s nothing for guys in Medina, other than restaurants.”

He said the nearest lounge where people could smoke was in Buffalo or Rochester, until one recently opened in Batavia.

It was three years ago when they started talking about a smoking lounge in Medina.

Jim and Cindy already owned the building at 513 Main St., which they had purchased in 2001. When the Bread Basket closed, the store was vacant.

The lounge is a total Robinson family venture, Cindy said.

In addition to being involved in the cigar store, each individual still has a job. Jim is a veterinarian, Cindy owns English Rose Tea Shoppe, Heather is a nurse, Dave is in fabrication and construction, Amanda is a pre-school teacher, Becky is in computers/accounting and Joseph is a lawyer in Batavia.

Dave said he has been a cigar smoker for some time, and when Joey started smoking them, he got on board with the idea.

“Growing up my friends and I occasionally enjoyed a cigar,” Joey said. “It’s a nice way to sit down and relax.”

Dave said one couple came in the store who both smoke cigars. He said there has been a huge uprising in cigar smoking, including women. There is a group of cigar smoking women on social media called “Sisters of the Leaf,” he said.

“It’s a great way to get to know people and socialize,” Joey said.

So far, the store has generated a lot of interest. As the family was working in there, people kept coming in to buy cigars and inquire about the grand opening.

“Even women have asked me if we were going to carry a particular brand of cigar,” Cindy said.

The Robinsons have created a lounge in the back of the store, with overstuffed chairs, a sofa and even a counter where a customer can use his computer while enjoying a cigar.

Dave said the lounge will give smokers a comfortable place to sit and relax, when it’s too cold in winter to smoke in the garage. Going to a lounge to smoke is like going to a bar to have a drink, he said. This is a place where men can come in and relax while their wives go shopping.

Joe said their goal is to have a large selection that cigar aficionados can choose from.

Cindy Robinson points out vintage wallpaper on a section of wall in the family’s new cigar store in Medina. She said the building dates back to 1863 and she believes this wallpaper is from the 1800s.

Bob Gilsinan of Medina has been a cigar smoker for more than 50 years. He has been entertaining a group of cigar smokers in his basement and looks forward to enjoying the new lounge. His late wife, a nurse practitioner, also used to have a cigar once in a while, he said.

“We enjoy cigars,” he said. “I’ve been to a lot of cigar lounges all over the country, but my favorite is in Key West.”

Dave said he has had several customers asking for key lime cigars. He added there is a huge health difference between smoking cigars and cigarettes. Cigar smokers don’t inhale, he said.

Because smoking lounges only deal with tobacco products, they are exempt from the New York State Clean Act law, which prohibits smoking in public buildings.

Gilsinan said you can smoke the same cigar for an hour and a half.

The ladies in the Robinson family who don’t smoke say they like the smell of cigars.

Jim, Joey and Dave built the humidor of Spanish cedar from Pennsylvania. That species of wood retains humidity without warping, Jim said.

Cindy peeled as many as six layers of wallpaper off the walls, uncovering a final layer still in good condition. She estimates by the women in vintage clothing that it dates back to the 1800s. The block burned in 1860, and this building was built in 1863.

Vintage Cigar currently carries 50 brands of cigars and expects to have 50 more by the grand opening from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. Ray Wendling from North Ridge Distillery in Lyndonville will be set up from 2 to 8 p.m. with cigars and tastings.

Cindy said they have a line of coffee coming and snacks and candy will be available in the smoking lounge. They will also have a giveaway where customers can enter to win a door prize.

They sell a line of pipes and are looking into Zippo lighters, as well.

Current hours of operation are 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. They are anxious to hear customers’ wishes as to what hours would be most convenient for them.

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul today signed legislation (S.5468/A.2530) to establish a commission to study and develop a plan for improving education in state prisons.

“When incarcerated individuals reenter society, it’s critical we ensure they are prepared and ready to forge a path for themselves and their families,” Governor Hochul said. “By embarking on a detailed study of how we can improve education for those who are incarcerated, we will be able to identify and implement the programs and resources necessary for ensuring those who are reentering society have the best shot at success. This not only benefits the individual and their families, but the community at large as well.”

Legislation S.5468/A.2530 aims to prevent recidivism by taking steps to improve prison education. This legislation will establish a commission comprised of nine members who will study and develop a plan for improving said education.

The commission will be comprised of three people appointed by the Governor, two by the Speaker of the Assembly, one by the Minority Leader of the Assembly, two by the temporary President of the Senate, and one by the Minority Leader of the Senate.

“The State’s prison system has to do a better job at preparing people in prison to re-enter society so that they can lead meaningful lives,” said State Sen. Kevin Parker. “This law will ensure that we are implementing educational programs in prison to prepare individuals to become contributing members of society upon their release.”