Those who come to be on the wrong side of one of Missouri's 21 correctional centers often convince themselves they have come to be there by chance, fate or just bad luck, said George Lombardi.

But Lombardi, who has been the director of the Missouri Department of Corrections since 2008, told a group of criminal justice students and professionals Wednesday in Cape Girardeau there are more constructive ways to see the consequences of one's actions.

"If you view the world that way, that it's just bad luck, you've got a problem," Lombardi said. "People need to realize they control their own lives in some way. Responsibility needs to be taken."

Lombardi was the keynote speaker Wednesday afternoon at Southeast Missouri State University's annual Criminal Justice Day. During his hourlong talk, Lombardi shared his philosophy on corrections and crime to the group of more than 50 who gathered at one of the University Center ballrooms.

He noted the number of people who have committed crimes has gone up and sentences have grown longer as people's tolerance with criminals has gone down. Other contributors were the drug culture and the deinstitutionalization of those with mental health issues.

Southeast Missouri State University freshman Joel Cooper talks with FBI Special Agent Karyn Feeny during a law enforcement career fair held as part of the 38th annual Criminal Justice Day Wednesday, March 6, at the University Center. Cooper said that while he currently plans to attend medical school after graduation he considers a career with the FBI to be an option he might be interested in. (ADAM VOGLER)

Several mental health facilities shut down in the 1970s. Lombardi said there were no replacement facilities in place, so prisons became the de facto provider of mental health services. The number of maximum-security prisons in the state grew from five to 20, Lombardi said.

Lombardi has the experience to know. In 2005, he retired after a 33-year career with the department, the final 18 of which were as director of adult institutions.

During his 33 years with the department, Lombardi, 65, served as superintendent of the State Correctional Pre-Release Center from 1976 to 1979 and as Superintendent of Algoa Correctional Center from 1979 to 1983. In 1983, he became assistant director of the Division of Adult Institutions, and he was named Director of Adult Institutions in 1986.

All sorts exist within the walls of Missouri's prisons, Lombardi said, and people complain about the fact that inmates have televisions to watch, but that fact is what makes prisons safe. He also said he sees people who don't want to help themselves and they become hardened and cynical.

"It doesn't have to be that way," Lombardi said.

smoyers@semissourian.com

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