The prison population has quadrupled since 1980 bringing the total in prison to over 2,000,000 people. This makes the U.S. a world leader for people behind bars. This lead is shameful and comes at a great cost to our society. Direct expenditures for the criminal justice system in 2024 was at a staggering $65 billion dollars. Factor in the extended cost to families, loss in productivity, and whatever else you can think of; and the only conclusion I can reach is that we have a major problem that cries out for reform. Much of the population increase is due to extended sentences from '3rd strike you're out' legislation.
The money to maintain this costly system comes right out of our pockets in taxes. Isn't there a better way to address this growing problem? One great delusion in America is our unquestioning trust in applying good ole market capitalism to solve the problem. We need more prisons! The trend has been to simply contract prisons out to reduce costs. Well, in many instances costs per inmate have been reduced but we are nonetheless confronted with a problem that continues to grow unabated. At a cost of $30,000 to $40,000 per person annually, there must be a better way to spend this money.
The answer is not found in better management of prisons. The source of the problem goes back to how we are failing to address root problems in our society. We need to break free of the myth that there is a 'criminal class' and start addressing the reasons that people break laws. We need to start addressing a system that forever exiles people to a leper class where we don't permit them a chance to start anew after serving their sentence. It's time to start shifting our focus to prevention. I have my own ideas about implementing better criminal preventive measures but, I want to hear your ideas.
When you factor in every cost related to crime and punishment IT'S IN THE TRILLIONS not Billions ..
PREVENTION will address 90+% of the problem - this is where the focus needs to be, properly handled it's a WIN WIN Situation - Reduces Costs Increase Productivity ..
If we want to turn this Country Around - WE MUST DEMAND - STARTING IN 2024 : TRANSPARENCY, PERFORMANCE, ACCOUNTABILITY - FROM GOVERNMENT ...
TRANSPARENCY so we know What & Where TO REPEAL LEGISLATION THAT IS CLEARLY CONTRARY TO THE DICTATES OF OUR CONSTITUTION, BILL OF RIGHTS & SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC BEST INTERESTS & SECURITY ..
PERFORMANCE so our Elected Officials are handling our affairs in the manner necessary to protect and defend our constitution from all enemies Foreign & Domestic ..
ACCOUNTABILITY so that vital information is available in a manner and time necessary to take appropriate action to cope with problems of a nature harmful to the Nation and its Citizens ...
You see Phil, the reason I'm pushing so hard to force this issue in our Agenda is : UNTIL YOU HAVE THE MEANS TO ENFORCE THE DISCIPLINES IN THESE THREE AREAS " YOU ARE FLYING BLIND AND IN DANGER OF BEING BROUGHT DOWN BY ANY NUMBER OF UNSEEN& UNEXPECTED OBSTACLES " ... think about it - that's it in a nutshell !!
Pete(popo)Evans
We need more than one level of correction. The system we have now should apply only to aggrevated Class A felons. Others should be earning and paying for themselves under one or more levels of electronic monitoring and community service. Parole should essentially be eliminated since it is basical the tool to insure residivism. Three strike concept should apply to aggrevated Class A felonies only. These would meet the standard of "Public Safety".
Bill"for what we are together"
bill713.unity08@sbcglobal.net
Phil
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Lets uncorrupt our government!