To reduce current prison populations a comprehensive review of offenders with ten or more years time served should be conducted. Consideration for release should include compassionate review of the offender, including family history. While I am encouraged that mass incarceration is receiving national attention, we must not be lazy in our approach to only consider non violent offenders. Long term offenders with proven support from their family, community and clergy to return to them should be seriously considered. Most offenders will return to our communities and most of them should be given the rehabilitative tools necessary to return to our communities with the capability of becoming productive contributing citizens. Long term offenders are least likely to re-offend if offered incentives for release that include mental health counseling and treatment, vocational training and increased availability for friends and family visitation that is conducive to developing and/or restoring them to their deeper humanity. Release should not include unduly restrictive and problematic rules that promote reincarceration for technical violations. We know that criminal activity is primarily an issue of poverty and disenfranchisement. But I would argue also the persistent victimization of children and young adults, later offend as result of that victimization. They manifest a desensitization to their own emotions as a protective mechanism. Thus resulting in the loss of sensitivity, empathy and concern for others. Yet most, if not all have a true desire to connect emotionally and find people they can trust. A radical change in the approach to our judicial and penal system is necessary if we are to be successful in reducing the current population but also the mass incarceration of future populations. There is much more discussion to share. Please advise on how I can get actively involved.
Be the first to comment