topic Re: Criminal Justice Reform in Community Chat

Criminal Justice Reform

Maudelynn — Sun, 01 Nov 2015 16:08:00 GMT

Should we be looking at overhauling the criminal justice system? Should we abolish mandatory minimums; allow ex-felons to vote?

I say it's time we delve into it.We have one of the highest incarceration rates (716 per 100,000) in the world.

Re: Criminal Justice Reform

PhatCat — Sun, 01 Nov 2015 17:32:13 GMT

From someone who worked in the Judicial system for almost 21 years I'd say no to abolishing mandatory minimums. Felons vote, depending on the crime.

Week in and week out we saw the same defendants over and over and over again, it was really sad. I feel, for people like them, the system is not strict enough to be a deterrent.

Also, I have seen dispositions based on the fact whether or not the prosecutor is in a good mood.

Of course, mandatories etc. differ from state ot state so I can only speak for my opinions for the State of CT and our mess of a system here. We have so much crime in comparison to other countries, makes one wonder...doesn't it.

Re: Criminal Justice Reform

deepwaterdotter — Sun, 01 Nov 2015 17:37:18 GMT

@Maudelynn wrote:
Should we be looking at overhauling the criminal justice system? Should we abolish mandatory minimums; allow ex-felons to vote?

I say it's time we delve into it.We have one of the highest incarceration rates (716 per 100,000) in the world.

We need to "delve into" the reason that such a disheartening statistic exists. I hope that more intelligent brains than mine can come up with a solution.

Re: Criminal Justice Reform

tansy — Sun, 01 Nov 2015 18:18:49 GMT

Yes, we need to do away with mandatory minimums. I want prisons not to be private for-profit operations. The system stinks.

Re: Criminal Justice Reform

Kachina624 — Sun, 01 Nov 2015 19:45:40 GMT

A high incarceration rate may mean that we prosecute more criminals. I see it as a good thing.

In my area, we've had two outstanding police officers shot and killed by repeat offenders in the past six months. I think we need minimum sentencing and it needs to be more severe than it now is. It's now just a slap on the hand.

Re: Criminal Justice Reform

maestra — Sun, 01 Nov 2015 19:53:54 GMT

What came first? The chicken or the egg? If people stopped commiting crimes, the incarceration rate would drop. Just sayin...

Re: Criminal Justice Reform

Cats3000 — Sun, 01 Nov 2015 20:27:26 GMT

We have the highest incarceration rate in the world? So what. This is the US. We do whatever we have to do to keep our people safe and separate the miscreants from the rest of society. I really don't care what other countries do.

Should ex-felons be allowed to vote? Why? They made a conscious choice to commit a crime. They have to live with the consequences, some of which can last a lifetime.

Re: Criminal Justice Reform

Puzzle Piece — Sun, 01 Nov 2015 20:46:58 GMT

@Maudelynn wrote:
Should we be looking at overhauling the criminal justice system? Should we abolish mandatory minimums; allow ex-felons to vote?

I say it's time we delve into it.We have one of the highest incarceration rates (716 per 100,000) in the world.

Overturning? No. Maybe modifying it to have harsher penalties. Allow ex-cons to vote? NO. Folks would then have no voice in Gun Control, because they wouls want firearms to all be legal as it's part of their lives and existence. Mandatory minimums? NO. People who are lawless and break the law will and should face the full and maximum penalties. No pardons given.

So what if we have the highest rates of incarceration. WE have standards and uphold them HERE, Not like other countries where they have multiple problems and issues.

Re: Criminal Justice Reform

SydneyH — Sun, 01 Nov 2015 21:37:23 GMT

No a complete overhaul is not needed or warranted imo, however I would like to see the penal industry moved away from privitization........

Re: Criminal Justice Reform

Kachina624 — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 01:23:32 GMT

Privatization is suppose to be the most economical way to operate a prison. Prisons, privately run or public, are beset by personnel problems. The cream of the workforce crop is not clamoring to work in a prison.

Re: Criminal Justice Reform

hckynutjohn — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 07:50:15 GMT

@Maudelynn wrote:
Should we be looking at overhauling the criminal justice system? Should we abolish mandatory minimums; allow ex-felons to vote?

I say it's time we delve into it.We have one of the highest incarceration rates (716 per 100,000) in the world.

Question #1/Looking? Yes. Question #2 and #3

/No. Highest incarceration rate? Don't know what they call it in North Korea/Iran/Syria, but I much prefer our system. Simple answer? Follow and don't break the laws, and

incarcerations will lower themselves.

I have lived a long life and been in 3 different jail cells. Why? Even though I thought 2 of the laws were questionable. Went to court and lost both times. I broke laws and went to jail and that, in my opinion,

is how it should be.

hckynut(john)

Re: Criminal Justice Reform

Maudelynn — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 12:22:42 GMT

Thank for the comments. If I follow the logic, the US has the most criminals in the entire world. Should we look at the root cause? Where did we go wrong in raising the most criminally minded citizens in the world?

What are the consequences of having all these people locked up? Someday, the majority will get out of prison and then what? They're unable to find jobs, housing, in some states they've lost their constitutional right to vote. Many have lost their families. Shouldn't this be a consideration in talking about reform? Or is the status quo okay?

Re: Criminal Justice Reform

sfnative — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 16:56:39 GMT

@Maudelynn wrote:
Thank for the comments. If I follow the logic, the US has the most criminals in the entire world. Should we look at the root cause? Where did we go wrong in raising the most criminally minded citizens in the world?

What are the consequences of having all these people locked up? Someday, the majority will get out of prison and then what? They're unable to find jobs, housing, in some states they've lost their constitutional right to vote. Many have lost their families. Shouldn't this be a consideration in talking about reform? Or is the status quo okay?

@Maudelynn

I have very little time, but regarding root cause would ask that you research what occurred in the late 60s and 70s, when some state governments made it extremely difficult to go after and incarcerate drug offenders, drug dealers, illegal drug manufacturers and those connected with the just burgeoning cartel next door to California. Having lived throuh that, I can say without reservation that this has brought us to where we are today, as drugs have a place in many, many crimes.