This article is right on the point of moving everything in the right direction so that we can reduce the prisons. Stewart made a great point saying we would be able to out more focus on the crimes that actually need attention and less on the drugs that we could handle out in society. If we could handle more of these issues outside we would not have as much problem of the over size prison. In the article it says that they senate is nearing the completion of the bill to pass that would change the way that drug offenses are going to be looked at and also give early release for those already incarcerated. As long as we are able to do this we will not be making arrest in some amounts of drugs and just giving them a ticket and most likely a fine.
I also agreed on the point made about how the prison reform will help allow us to focus on more violent criminals and crimes rather than petty drug offenses. Although I agree with the article my only question is, what if more people begin to commit drug crimes due to the fact that punishment for such acts is dramatically lessened. Otherwise, I hope the bill receives the backing it needs to have this pushed through to a law. -Pack789
I can agree for the most part of what is being said in this article but not all. Some of the numbers they discuss seem like a lot for people who are just using drugs and not being violent. I would like to see something like this start out as a small experiment before they were to just release and cut the sentencing by half because it could cause more problems. This change would make it so a lot of people at one time would be leaving prison and all entering the community in the same location. By doing this we could see a huge spike in the drug crimes being committed but then we would just put them back in prison for a short time and then them not being fully helped. I would like this to be something that can be shown that is does help the prisoner get back into society in a clean way before just letting a ton of people out at once and hope for the best. –Acerunner789
I see your point to why you think that we should do an experiment. However even with an experiment we will have the same problem with the people that we let out they could be the ones that want to just go an start doing the drugs again and we will be right back where we started. We just never know how people are going to react to something new. I think if we did that for awhile there would be a rise in the drugs because we would have people that think they can push the law. Green789
I'm glad that there is a great bipartisan approach to this issue and extremely happy that there are two proposals that could cut down on lengthy mandatory sentences for drug offenders. I also am in favor of what Stewart said in response to Sensenbrenner's approach. Although it doesn't get rid of mandatory sentences it at least gives longer sentences to violent offenders and shorter sentences to drug offenders and other low level prisoners. If the Senate and the Judiciary Committee can work out a deal that encompasses both proposals then I think that would be a good sign of the future for prison reduction. Flitzy789
Although I am happy that they're two proposals to the prison population reduction problem plaguing our nation, I'm more interested in how the drug offenders would be released and how the program would work. I'm all for them being able to apply for release and considered on a "case-by-case basis", but I just hope that the drug treatment and education programs the proposals offer are extremely in depth, so these prisoners aren't released let's say only 3 months after applying for their immediate release. If that were to happen I would be afraid that these men and women wouldn't be properly prepared for life outside of prison and if they're not able to have the support they need, they might turn back to drugs and then be sent to prison again, and a terrible cycle begins. If these potential problems could be fixed in the proposals then I'm on board. Flitzy789
I agree with your statement about wanting to know more about the drug programs before agreeing to let them be released to attend those programs. I also agree that if the individual who committed the drug crime was released too early and wasn't fully ready to go back into the real world where it is almost impossible for them not to come across drugs again, so they might go back to old habits and end up back in prison like you stated above in you comment. -Barcelona789
They may have found a way to help with the overpopulation in prisons by passing bills that cut drug offenses down more than half. Personally, I would agree with the bills being passed as long as it allows for the drug offenders to get the proper help that they need to lead normal lives and finding things that help them cope with rough patches instead of ending up in the same situation. This will allow for more serious crimes like rape and murder to get the proper sentences that they deserve. Both bills would expand the number of situations in which a judge could override a mandatory minimum requirement. I think this comes in handy because depending on the situation like first time offense, wrong place at the wrong time, or a repeat offender the judge gets to decide what the best option for that person would be. CSI789
I agree with you completely. I think that making room for more serious crimes should definitely be a priority however, I do not think that they should cap the amount of time they can give for a life sentence to 35 years. Unfortunately, some people never learn and they should not be allowed in society. -NavyAME789
I agree and disagree with some points demonstrated in this article. The points I agree with is that the government should re visit the laws regarding sentencing for individuals involved in a drug crime. I agree with this because the prison system is over crowed with people who have committed petty drug crimes who shouldn't be in prison. Those who have committed the low profile drug crime should be in a rehabilitation center getting help instead of wasting tax payers money by keeping them in prison. One thing I don’t agree with in this article is that it says that some would be eligible to apply for immediate release on a case-by-case basis, who would be the judge of determining who gets out and who doesn’t. Just because the individual didn't commit an extreme drug crime doesn't mean they should just be let out they should have to go through a drug program if they did time in prison for their drug crime not just be let out free. -Barcelona789
First of all I am glad to see that many people are beginning to push for prison reform. I believe that it is important morally and financially that we rehabilitate non-violent drug offenders rather than throw them in prison for an extended period of time. I also believe that this will help the courts and the police focus on the "big" criminals. The ones who really have a negative effect on society. Personally I really hope to see this bill pass because of all the positive effects it will have on society. -Pack789
I agree with reforming the bills so that the time criminals are doing is fitting to the crime that they committed. However, I feel that there should not be a 35 year cap for the life sentence. Especially if someone has multiple offenses and is pushing large amounts of drugs. I do believe that there should be programs for rehabilitation and education available to those who are first time offenders and for minor offenses. This could prevent a lot of recidivism. When talking about letting out a lot of drug offenders if these bills are passed, makes me nervous. If not done very carefully, this could cause huge problems especially if the inmates have nothing to go back to on the civilian side. These are dangerous games we are playing when we talk about letting out prisoners. I hope that if this is done, it is done tastefully. -NavyAME789
Glad that the government is taking time to discuss the prisons population and how it is going to get out of control in the future if they don't do anything about it. I read that they are focusing on the drug laws and how the prisons and jails are filling up because of people being caught with drugs and have been sentenced with long prison sentences. Its cool that the government is putting programs in place for the inmates to take, to be eligible for early release from prison.
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ReplyDeleteThis article is right on the point of moving everything in the right direction so that we can reduce the prisons. Stewart made a great point saying we would be able to out more focus on the crimes that actually need attention and less on the drugs that we could handle out in society. If we could handle more of these issues outside we would not have as much problem of the over size prison. In the article it says that they senate is nearing the completion of the bill to pass that would change the way that drug offenses are going to be looked at and also give early release for those already incarcerated. As long as we are able to do this we will not be making arrest in some amounts of drugs and just giving them a ticket and most likely a fine.
ReplyDeleteGreen789
DeleteI also agreed on the point made about how the prison reform will help allow us to focus on more violent criminals and crimes rather than petty drug offenses. Although I agree with the article my only question is, what if more people begin to commit drug crimes due to the fact that punishment for such acts is dramatically lessened. Otherwise, I hope the bill receives the backing it needs to have this pushed through to a law. -Pack789
DeleteI can agree for the most part of what is being said in this article but not all. Some of the numbers they discuss seem like a lot for people who are just using drugs and not being violent. I would like to see something like this start out as a small experiment before they were to just release and cut the sentencing by half because it could cause more problems. This change would make it so a lot of people at one time would be leaving prison and all entering the community in the same location. By doing this we could see a huge spike in the drug crimes being committed but then we would just put them back in prison for a short time and then them not being fully helped. I would like this to be something that can be shown that is does help the prisoner get back into society in a clean way before just letting a ton of people out at once and hope for the best. –Acerunner789
ReplyDeleteI see your point to why you think that we should do an experiment. However even with an experiment we will have the same problem with the people that we let out they could be the ones that want to just go an start doing the drugs again and we will be right back where we started. We just never know how people are going to react to something new. I think if we did that for awhile there would be a rise in the drugs because we would have people that think they can push the law. Green789
DeleteI'm glad that there is a great bipartisan approach to this issue and extremely happy that there are two proposals that could cut down on lengthy mandatory sentences for drug offenders. I also am in favor of what Stewart said in response to Sensenbrenner's approach. Although it doesn't get rid of mandatory sentences it at least gives longer sentences to violent offenders and shorter sentences to drug offenders and other low level prisoners. If the Senate and the Judiciary Committee can work out a deal that encompasses both proposals then I think that would be a good sign of the future for prison reduction. Flitzy789
DeleteAlthough I am happy that they're two proposals to the prison population reduction problem plaguing our nation, I'm more interested in how the drug offenders would be released and how the program would work. I'm all for them being able to apply for release and considered on a "case-by-case basis", but I just hope that the drug treatment and education programs the proposals offer are extremely in depth, so these prisoners aren't released let's say only 3 months after applying for their immediate release. If that were to happen I would be afraid that these men and women wouldn't be properly prepared for life outside of prison and if they're not able to have the support they need, they might turn back to drugs and then be sent to prison again, and a terrible cycle begins. If these potential problems could be fixed in the proposals then I'm on board. Flitzy789
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement about wanting to know more about the drug programs before agreeing to let them be released to attend those programs. I also agree that if the individual who committed the drug crime was released too early and wasn't fully ready to go back into the real world where it is almost impossible for them not to come across drugs again, so they might go back to old habits and end up back in prison like you stated above in you comment.
Delete-Barcelona789
They may have found a way to help with the overpopulation in prisons by passing bills that cut drug offenses down more than half. Personally, I would agree with the bills being passed as long as it allows for the drug offenders to get the proper help that they need to lead normal lives and finding things that help them cope with rough patches instead of ending up in the same situation. This will allow for more serious crimes like rape and murder to get the proper sentences that they deserve. Both bills would expand the number of situations in which a judge could override a mandatory minimum requirement. I think this comes in handy because depending on the situation like first time offense, wrong place at the wrong time, or a repeat offender the judge gets to decide what the best option for that person would be. CSI789
ReplyDeleteI agree with you completely. I think that making room for more serious crimes should definitely be a priority however, I do not think that they should cap the amount of time they can give for a life sentence to 35 years. Unfortunately, some people never learn and they should not be allowed in society. -NavyAME789
DeleteI agree and disagree with some points demonstrated in this article. The points I agree with is that the government should re visit the laws regarding sentencing for individuals involved in a drug crime. I agree with this because the prison system is over crowed with people who have committed petty drug crimes who shouldn't be in prison. Those who have committed the low profile drug crime should be in a rehabilitation center getting help instead of wasting tax payers money by keeping them in prison. One thing I don’t agree with in this article is that it says that some would be eligible to apply for immediate release on a case-by-case basis, who would be the judge of determining who gets out and who doesn’t. Just because the individual didn't commit an extreme drug crime doesn't mean they should just be let out they should have to go through a drug program if they did time in prison for their drug crime not just be let out free.
ReplyDelete-Barcelona789
First of all I am glad to see that many people are beginning to push for prison reform. I believe that it is important morally and financially that we rehabilitate non-violent drug offenders rather than throw them in prison for an extended period of time. I also believe that this will help the courts and the police focus on the "big" criminals. The ones who really have a negative effect on society. Personally I really hope to see this bill pass because of all the positive effects it will have on society. -Pack789
ReplyDeleteI agree with reforming the bills so that the time criminals are doing is fitting to the crime that they committed. However, I feel that there should not be a 35 year cap for the life sentence. Especially if someone has multiple offenses and is pushing large amounts of drugs. I do believe that there should be programs for rehabilitation and education available to those who are first time offenders and for minor offenses. This could prevent a lot of recidivism. When talking about letting out a lot of drug offenders if these bills are passed, makes me nervous. If not done very carefully, this could cause huge problems especially if the inmates have nothing to go back to on the civilian side. These are dangerous games we are playing when we talk about letting out prisoners. I hope that if this is done, it is done tastefully. -NavyAME789
ReplyDeleteGlad that the government is taking time to discuss the prisons population and how it is going to get out of control in the future if they don't do anything about it. I read that they are focusing on the drug laws and how the prisons and jails are filling up because of people being caught with drugs and have been sentenced with long prison sentences. Its cool that the government is putting programs in place for the inmates to take, to be eligible for early release from prison.
ReplyDelete