Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 23, 1996)
Linco reform to Bosnian prison system Eastern Europe will benefit from the experience of a Nebraska businessman. By Josh Funk Staff Reporter A Lincoln man is on his way to prison... in Bosnia. Gary Hill, president of Lincoln's CEGA Services, will head to Eastern Europe in October to begin helping Bosnians reform their prison system. Hill’s mission will be a part of the United Nations’ offer to help reform the Bosnian crimi nal justice system. Two other American repre sentatives traveling with Hill will focus on Bosnia’s police force and courts. Since the 1970s, Hill has been training prison staffs in developing countries around the world. Hill shows them how to follow humanitarian and legal standards while working with the resources available in the country. “A prison can be run anywhere with good staff and management, so our program concen trates on training the staff,” Hill said. Andrew Wedeman, assistant political science professor, explained Bosnia’s division and civil war. He said die region’s Serbs, Croats and Mus lims were split by differences in their race and religions. When fighting between Serbia and Croatia began in 1991, Bosnia was caught in the middle. “Maybe I’ve just read ‘Humpty Dumpty’ too many times because I’m not sure it’s a good idea to put it back together again once it has fallen apart,” Wedeman said. “They should just split Bosnia up between Serbia and Croatia and be done with it.” But for now, Bosnia is its own country and is just beginning to rebuild everything destroyed in the war. And that’s where Hill comes in. Before Hill visits a country, he researches its laws, procedures and background. “I talk to people who have lived in the coun try or been there recently to help get an under standing of the culture,” Hill said. On his first trip, Hill becomes acquainted with the people and the culture to learn about where the prisoners come from—and it’s not the Embassy Suites. “I never stay in anything better than a one half of <me star hotel, so I can see what life is really like,” Hill said. When he returns, Hill writes a training manual. Each country’s manual is tailored to fit its laws, culture and resources. The basis for Hill’s training manual was cre ated by consulting with prison training programs around the world to find a core curriculum of 36 lessons common to all the programs. Then the manual was tested in various places and adapted to fit the circumstances. Once the draft is complete, Hill returns it to the country and consults with prison officials to customize the program. Ryin Sodeelin/DN GABY HILL points to a map of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Hill will travel there in October to help reform the Bosnian prison system. When the manual is ready for use, Hill per sonally trains the prison officials who will later train the prison staff. “In many developing countries the prison guards are illiterate, so we had to develop dif ferent teaching methods,” Hill said. In some countries, Hill said, guards have little or no knowledge of weapons because the gov ernment cannot afford to buy ammunition for training exercises. Hie change is not immediate, and some re forms take years, but Hill stays in contact with officials and helps make lasting changes. * “1 stay in contact through mail, e-mail and phone calls. We provide them with any new in formation and help address any problems they are having,” Hill said. A better prison system leads to better citi zen morale, Hill said. When people view pris ons as an implement of repression, they distrust the police and the system. ‘To judge how good a society is, look at its prisons,” Hill said. “See how they treat the worst of their society and know that the rest can’t be much better off.” ' ' '■■■" . 1 1 ..^ EVERYONE WILL GIVE YOU THEIR TWO CENTS WORTH, BUT WILL THAT BE ENOUGH TO RETIRE ON? ■ ' - ' 1 " . ‘‘ ' '■ ' - . ■■ ■ I ' . Today there seems to be an investment expert or financial advisor almost eveiy where you turn. But just how qualified are all these experts? Peace of mind about your future comes from solid planning. From investments and services designed and managed with your needs and retirement security specifically in mind. The kind of investments and services TIAA-CREF has been providing for more than y5 years. WE’LL HELP YOU BUILD A REWARDING RETIREMENT. Our counselors are trained retirement profes sionals who have only you and your future in mind. So you’re treated as the unique person you are, with special needs and concerns about retirement. And that makes for an understand ing, comfortable relationship. With TIAA-CREF, you have plenty of choice and flexibility in building your retirement nest egg—from TIAA’s guaranteed traditional annuity to the investment opportunities of CREF's seven variable annuity accounts. And we’re nonprofit, so our expense charges are among the lowest in the insurance and mutual fund industries.* That means more of your money is where it should be - working for you. TIAA-CREF is now the largest private pension system in the world, based on assets under man agement - managing more than $150 billion in assets for more than one and a half million people throughout the nation. TIAA-CREF: THE CHOICE THAT MAKES SENSE. It’s tough to wade through all the "advice” to find a reliable pension plan provider. But as a member - of the education and research communily, your best choice is simple: TIAA-CREF. Because when it comes to helping you prepare for retirement, our annuities will add up to more than spare change. For more information about how TIAA-CREF can help you prepare for the future, call our Enrollment Hotline at 1800 842-2888. . . A>: Ensuring die future for those who shape it.* * Standard * Poor't Insurance Rating Analysis, /»* Uffer AmihRiml Stmtrs. /nr, Upper-Directors' Analytical Data. Itfi rtWf<Wyl CHEF ctrtificattj an XtlrihiUj *y TIAA-CREF /adrmiW ami lu.-lilali.mdl Srn-ur... J \ ... ■ . ■ . ‘ ■■ ■ X1 EXCLUSIVELY AT FOCUSED Famiot Eyecare Williams Comfortable Contact Lenses 423-6899• 5930S. 58th, Ste. A •423-6999 I CfttetfKftstminilip.TnjeCMwa I