Quote:
Originally Posted by retiredguy123
Why do prosecutors and judges release repeat violent offenders into society when they know (or should know) that these people will commit more violent crimes? Why don't they prosecute them and put them in prison for the maximum amount of time prescribed by law? I don't understand the rationale. Do they really think that these criminals will go home and suddenly become law abiding citizens?
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It is a good question.
Don't know so much about here, but in a lot of places it comes down to available space. Can't sentence someone to prison if every prison in the state is already overcrowded.
There should be answers beyond that though. Home confinement with a non-removable ankle ring that reports where the offender is at all times. Maybe heftier retribution sentences in lieu of confinement. But the ONE thing that would help the most is the one thing that gets very little mention. I don't know the exact number but a whole lot, maybe half, of people sentenced to confinement are there for drug-related offenses, and a number of others are there because they turn to criminal behavior to support a drug habit. I have no problem with sentencing the drug lords, kingpins, suppliers, etc. to hefty sentences, but for probably most of the others, if we treat drug issues as a medical condition rather than a legal issue, we'd be going a long way toward opening up prison space for those who really deserve it.