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Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins
I'll defer to your experience in the criminal justice world, having actually worked within it while I have never been more than a spectator. And, as I outlined above regarding my observations with this young man, I could not agree more about the "bear trap" analogy.
That said, I've attempted to present a bit different perspective as a part of my argument. That of the citizen who would like "the system" to protect me from these guys. Most of the focus seems to be on them, their "rights", their "rehabilitation", exploring the root causes of their behavior, etc. That is all well and good, and I support those efforts. We must also keep in mind, however, the rights of the citizenry to be protected.
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As an aside, I could make the exact same argument about limiting the sale of guns. One person's pragmatism is another person's loss of rights. As ever, it depends on whose sacred cow is being gored.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins
Severity of punishment is no deterrent to these guys. Agreed. At some point however, we have to understand that deterrence is only a part of the equation. Our sentencing is far, far too light on very serious crime and the perpetrators live very much in a "catch and release" system. Plea bargaining often reduces the punishment for some pretty serious stuff down to a slap on the wrist. In the end, the citizenry suffers. To be honest, I am far more interested in reforms that address public safety over felons' rights. Right now, our system is failing spectacularly in that regard.
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I'm not ready to accept the premise that sentencing is far too light in general. If we accept the premise that prison is simply a finishing school for criminals, why would sending someone there long enough to get a masters and then a PhD in crime be a good idea?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins
When a violent felon achieves what I believe to be the criteria necessary for execution, I am no longer interested in any sort of a deterrent affect that may have on the rest of the criminal world, because I know it won't have one. Mine is a purely pragmatic position - if he is never going to get out, I see no reason to feed and house him anymore. It sure would free up a lot of space, and budget, to simply exterminate those who have attained the status of a "lifer".
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So: Three strikes and you're dead.
Not sure we have the selection process perfected enough for that strategy.