Why are conservatives always "tough on crime"
One you can always count on: if you want to pass a law to lock up more people or for a longer period of time most conservatives are for it. Before I get too far, I don't fit the mold of many crminal defense lawyers. I would classify myself as conservative on a number of issues - most those dealing with moral issues. When it comes to social justice issues I come on the liberal side. Actually, you can pretty well predict my opinion by checking the official position of the Catholic Church; but that's another issue.
Most conservatives are against big government, and favor individual freedom. What's the largest expansion of the government in the past 50 years - no doubt its the prison system. Especially in Texas, the prison system has continued ot expand. Until the last two sessions, legislators didn't meet without adding a few new prisons. The result is that we now incarcerate a substantial portion of our population; especially younger minorities.
Prisons cost money. No matter how much you cut costs, you still have to pay guards, utilities, and food. It costs a lot of money to run prisons; money that many states no longer have. We are seeing the aftermath of this expansion across the country; in California they were talking about closing down some of the prisons.
What's the alternative to locking people up? How about keeping people out, and making sure once they are out they stay out. It costs a lot less to rehabilitate someone than lock them up for years. It took a recession, but many legislators are finally recognizing this. Tha includes conservatives.
Maybe we are finally at the crossroads, and we are about to embark on a new course. Professor Berman has commented on this frequently. Most recently, he noted the comments of Attorney General Holder, which suggests a new approach to criminal justice issues. We can only hope that catches on among the politicians and the general public.
Those involved in the system know the tremendous costs imposed by incarceration; costs that are not just financial. The biggest cost may be to the families of those incarcerated. Think of all the positive benefits that would result from giving someone the skills they need to survive instead of locking them up. I'm not naive enough to believe we may no longer need prisons. There are people who can't, or refuse to live within the law, and there is no choice but to lock them up. However, that is a small percentage of those currently incarcerated.
My hope is that we start looking at the total costs of incarceration. When you do, the conservatives should the first in line to champion reform.
Mr. Reaves,
Enjoyed reading your views as to the problem in our country. I have never considered myself a bad person, but back in 2003 I was a totally different person. I believe in rehabilitation for some is more cost productive. We have had many generations of alcohol & substance abuse which has plagued the next generations to follow suit. My story was published in a North Dakota Law Review and they based the "Drug Crime Relationship" to my life. There are so many factors that contribute to crime. I was in a very abusive relationship but had a lifetime of traumas that affected the road I traveled. Interestingly enough adults use to mention "you should have known better". Honestly as an adult that comment confused me further...How is someone suppossed to know better when they have been raised in nothing but addictions, alcoholism, and all that it entails. I was molested at the age of 3/4 yrs old only to UNKNOWINGLY have it affect the rest of my life. Unable to fix the night terrors I had because my mind had blocked the abuse.
Why should sex offenders be let out on the chance they can be rehabilitated or said to be rehabilitated?
Why are our prisons overloaded with criminals who's past was overlooked?
I believe in your views and wish those that have been "there and done that" would listen to the silent cries to help in the reform process.
I will never walk with my head down from a lifetime of pysical and sexual abuse, nor will let anyone make me feel worthless like my parents did.
We all have a voice and shame on those who think they can fix their addictions without fixing their past!
Best,
Lynea Moat
I'm sorry but you have not convinced me.I think you have it backwards in saying only a small perecntage of those in prison won't listen to rehabilitation. Rehabilitation has very low succses rates and most people in prison need to stay there. We need to be making sure these people make the right choices at a much younger age, before they resort to crime.