Prisons to Work

[Joanne98]

The latest economic stimulus package has a One Billion Dollar Federal prison construction allowance in it. Just what we need do not need to stimulate the economy. Here is a better set of plans to stimulate the economy. Prisons are part of gray -- not green industry. Public safety should replace tough on crime rhethoric, the social science does.

That one billion? Re-launching the Civillian Conservation Corps would save billions and begin saving immediately.

Decarceration - Plan One

My favorite federal decarceration plan was written by sentencing expert Michael Tonry in 1995 and was likely a large inspiration behind the November Coalition’s initial appeal for a drug war amnesty in 1998.

“Stop imprisoning most user-dealers and most property offenders. Revise sentencing standards and guidelines to prescribe prison sentences for violent offenses at 1980 levels. Rescind mandatory penalty laws retroactively. Create special parole boards with the power to consider the release of every prisoner who is over age fifty and has served at least five years and every prisoner who has served ten years or more. The only valid general criterion for denying release would be that, on actuarial grounds, the offender presents an unacceptable risk of future violent criminality. Denying release might also be justified for especially notorious offenders like political assassins and serial murderers.

“What would be done with the diverted offenders? For some, nothing. Most former prisoners over age thirty-five present little threat of violence or other serious offending. The best thing to do is to let many of those released early get on with their lives. For current offenders, depending on the gravity of their crimes, confinement or community penalties are the answer. Those confined should receive sentences scaled down at least by half from current levels of time served to 1980 levels and never more than is commensurate with the relative severity of their offenses. Most, however—should be sentenced to community penalties like intensive supervision probation, community service, house arrest, daytime or nighttime confinement, and financial penalties coupled when appropriate with compulsory participation in treatment programs. When it is feasible, restitution or community service should be routinely be ordered.”

Malign Neglect, by Michael Tonry 1995


Decarceration - Plan Two

With unemployment rates climbing under a crumbling economy we have a President on record supporting Prisons-to-Work programs. A marriage of the Civilian Conservation Corps with Tonry’s Decarceration Plan, seems a match that could light a prairie fire of change.

http://narcosphere.narconews.com/notebook/nora-callahan/2009/02/prisons-work

[ixion]

1. yeah, more privatized prisons... just what we need: not

geez.

[RC]

2. Hey, lock ever body up and the crime rate plummets, right?

So what's not to like? The U.S. is well on its way now. Go with the flow, buy enough stock in prisons and have a say in how your guards treat you. Can't beat a deal like that.