redwitch |
11-16-2018 09:24 AM |
Let’s see. Non-violent offenders. No mention of weapons or drugs in the household. Jails and prisons overcrowded. ADAs and PDs overwhelmed. Ditto probation/parole officers. And you expect them to stay in jail and then prison because it might affect your property in the future? Reality is most judges have guidelines they follow for bail. Plea bargaining pretty much takes care of sentencing guidelines. Don’t blame the judges. Blame the overcrowded facilities housing the mentally ill as inmates, the drug users who need help rather than prison, the innocent who took a plea rather than face decades behind bars (yes, there are many of these), the recidivists who couldn’t find a job paying a livable wage so did what they could to survive.
Our justice system is broken. Not sure if we can fix it but the bandaid approach certainly isn’t working. Rather than railing at judges, get the facts, help where you can. Maybe even volunteer at a prison. Teach inmates usable skills, teach them how to read, be a mentor, work on drug rehabilitation programs. You’d be surprised at the stories you’ll hear. You’ll be saddened when you find that the skill you taught and the inmate learned is useless because no one will hire a felon. There are no easy answers but you could at least try.
In the meantime, kudos to the LEOs who did their job as it was meant to be done.
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