POV: 15 to Life - Kenneth's Story

[cj's dad]

Who is going to hire this person? What does he do when he is released into society and has zero income? Does he regress back to his previous ways to have $$$ in his pockets? How many more have to have a gun pointed at them by an accomplice of his? Really, what is the upside to releasing him back into society ?

I'm open to others thoughts.

[PhantomOnTour]

Originally Posted by CurtisontheBay

Who is going to hire this person? What does he do when he is released into society and has zero income? Does he regress back to his previous ways to have $$$ in his pockets? How many more have to have a gun pointed at them by an accomplice of his? Really, what is the upside to releasing him back into society ?

I'm open to others thoughts.

If he were an adult when he committed these crimes, I would say "See ya pal"...but he was 14yrs old.

I just cannot condone condemning a 14yr old to life in prison...NO WAY

You cannot keep a man incarcerated for life because you deem him unemployable.

[Tom]

There is no upside, other than we stop paying for him.
That is why prisoners should be forced to labor to pay for their room and board.
No work, no eat.Get out of line, no food.
Don't shape up, sleep on the floor.

[PhantomOnTour]

Upside?

C'mon y'all...it's not about upside.
It's about a guy who will serve his time and then, BY LAW, be released into society.

What about his rights?
"Sorry sir - we know you served your time, but we see no upside to releasing you. So back to your cell forever!"

[Tom]

What about his rights?

He has none.
He is a 4 time offender - why should we care about him?
He has already shown he doesn't care about us.

You know, THIS is why we have gun problems - you guys are too squeemish to enforce laws.

If he gets out and commits another gun crime, will you not lead the line shouting for more gun control? No need to answer, just think about it.

[PhantomOnTour]

Originally Posted by Tom

He has none.
He is a 4 time offender - why should we care about him?
He has already shown he doesn't care about us.

You know, THIS is why we have gun problems - you guys are too squeemish to enforce laws.

If he gets out and commits another gun crime, will you not lead the line shouting for more gun control? No need to answer, just think about it.

What part of "Kenneth didn't have a gun" are you failing to understand?

And he most definitely has rights, esp after his time has been served.

You really want to send a 14yrold up the river forever?

You are an angry and bitter old man, Tom....all this internet bitching you do is surely making a difference in the world.

[Tom]

What part of "Kenneth didn't have a gun" are you failing to understand?

What part of is accomplice did, 4 times escaped you?

You really want to send a 14yrold up the river forever?

14 years old is grown up for many these days. Gangs are filled with people younger that that. I have no problem weeding out the bad apples.
Suppose one of those 4 times, a person was shot and killed?

You are an angry and bitter old man, Tom....all this internet bitching you do is surely making a difference in the world.

I hope so. A lot of damage done by the libs needs to be undone.
Liberalism will destroy us all.

[PhantomOnTour]

Good luck Tom - don't die angry & bitter

Ignore

[jballscalls]

Originally Posted by Tom

I hope so. A lot of damage done by the libs needs to be undone.
Liberalism will destroy us all.

You've made a difference to me Tom. You've made me want to be more liberal.

[johnhannibalsmith]

Originally Posted by jballscalls

You've made a difference to me Tom. You've made me want to be more liberal.

Unfortunately, that in a nutshell is the state of politics and extent of many people's attachment to an ideology.

[kingfin66]

Originally Posted by CurtisontheBay

Who is going to hire this person? What does he do when he is released into society and has zero income? Does he regress back to his previous ways to have $$$ in his pockets? How many more have to have a gun pointed at them by an accomplice of his? Really, what is the upside to releasing him back into society ?

I'm open to others thoughts.

The are very legitimate and important questions that you ask. They apply to all offenders. Recidivism rates are, and have always been very high, with much of the reason being the inability to adjust back into society. Lack of education, job skills, employment and housing have a large impact on people re-offending and being sent back to prison. This is a societal issue, not just liberal or conservative.

The judicial system has always recognized this as a problem, but is just now finally getting around to doing something about it. Many non-profits are devoting some of their resources and partnering with government agencies to work with offenders to integrate back into society. It is going to take a lot of work and commitment, but it is an important issue. Helping offenders adjust back into society is actually a form of crime prevention and it is in the best interest of law enforcement and the taxpayers.

There are actually many employers who are "Felony Friendly" and are willing to offer second chances to offenders. It is easy to lock people up and accountability needs to remain a large part of the judicial system. It is also important; however, to recognize that once the sentence is complete, the offenders will be back out. Having them working toward gaining skills to become productive members of society is much better, and much less costly, than locking them up.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by jballscalls

You've made a difference to me Tom. You've made me want to be more liberal.

Go rob your neighbor....you will feel better.

[kingfin66]

Petty bickering aside, this thread does identify issues that have a potential impact on everybody regardless of their political views. It is not just a liberal or conservative issue. Prisons exist for a reason and almost all of the people who live in them deserve to be there, some for a very long time. Some forever.

For those who are held accountable and now it is time to go home, re-entry into society is very important. We either try to prevent recidivism, or we:

- hire more and more police
- build more prisons
- expand the court system
- be prepared to pay for all of the above

[jballscalls]

Originally Posted by Tom

Go rob your neighbor....you will feel better.

my neighbors don't have anything to steal. We're all poor liberals who live off the government and sit at home all day watching TV and trolling websites.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by kingfin66

Petty bickering aside, this thread does identify issues that have a potential impact on everybody regardless of their political views. It is not just a liberal or conservative issue. Prisons exist for a reason and almost all of the people who live in them deserve to be there, some for a very long time. Some forever.

For those who are held accountable and now it is time to go home, re-entry into society is very important. We either try to prevent recidivism, or we:

- hire more and more police
- build more prisons
- expand the court system
- be prepared to pay for all of the above

Nothing in the prison system is designed to rehabilitate anyone.
It is more of a college for petty crooks to come out professional criminals.

That has to change.

Try this -

You go into prison naked and get an empty cell.
You have the option to buy clothes, a bed, meal.....but you get nothing free.
Ever.

Now, you must decide, do you want pants, dinner, or a cot?

Also, there is rent on your cell, which you must re-pay 100% before you ever get out.

Over your sentence, you learn to make decisions is, earn credits, do budgets, all the things we on the outside have to do.

Once you have EARNED the right come out, you are trained in living civilized.