Never thought I'd ever post a piece at DU written by Nolan fucking Finley

[Bozita]

But then, this appears in the paper today:


Last Updated: March 07. 2010 1:37PM
Nolan Finley
Let's rethink how we punish


Patricia Caruso, head of the state Corrections Department, offered one of my all-time favorite quotes when she said a few years ago of Michigan's swelling prison population: "We need to decide who we're afraid of and who we're mad at."

We're running out of time to make that decision. Michigan is releasing about 2,000 additional prisoners this year to trim the Corrections budget. Among their ranks are killers, assaulters, robbers and an assortment of other despicable characters who have served their minimum sentences, but could be held longer under Michigan law.

Next year, the stream becomes a flood, if the Legislature approves Gov. Jennifer Granholm's budget. The governor wants to free 7,500 more inmates by rewriting sentencing guidelines.

It's a budget move, and one I support. Michigan is broke and getting broker. It doesn't have the luxury of being as harsh on crime as perhaps it would like.


From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100307/OPINION03/3070310/Let-s-rethink-how-we-punish#ixzz0hWv2RgQB

[dkf]

1. How will these people survive?