By Robert A. Poggi
The Washington Times
WASHINGTON DC — Earth to those who think there is money to be saved in the early release of people serving jail or prison sentences. It won’t work. Here are some things to think about. In today’s kiss-and-make-up society, almost no one is sent to jail or prison for a first “nonviolent” offense. Usually there is a clear history of law violations before a judge even considers jail time.
What is a “nonviolent offense” anyway? Verbal abuse is now considered domestic violence. Is a burglary of your home “nonviolent” because you were lucky enough to be at the grocery store when the offense occurred? Will those released require additional probation, health care, food stamps, drug treatment, housing or other welfare resources? Or are we just going to dump them on the street and let them fend for themselves? I wonder how that will work.
When the economy is in a recession and unemployment is on the rise, does it make sense to release large numbers of people who have demonstrated a willingness to commit crime? Figure the cost of that dumb decision.
Copyright 2009 The Washington Times LLC