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Yvettep
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 2761
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 10, 2008 - 02:21 pm: | 
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In December 2007, the U.S. Sentencing Commission modified guidelines for those convicted of crack related drug offenses, in contrast with offenses powder cocaine offenses. The change could mean the early release of up to 20,000 inmates. Natasha Marshall, newly released from prison under the altered guidelines, shares her story.
More stories are slated about this issue. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=88034673&ft=1&f=46 |
Ferociouskitty
Veteran Poster
Username: Ferociouskitty
Post Number: 132
Registered: 02-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 10, 2008 - 10:20 pm: |
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Aside: I'm wondering if anyone will study the recidivism rate among this cohort (did I use that word properly Dr. P?).
It seems that jail begets jail, and certainly equitable sentencing is great, but I do wonder about the lives that lie ahead for folks who have done more time than was called for, can only wonder if their lives would have been much different/better had they gotten shorter sentences in the first place. |
Yvettep
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 2764
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: 
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - 09:53 am: |
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FK, interesting, in an article contrasting the amount of $ some states spend on education vs prisons, a commenter brought up an intersting point. He or she suggested (only half tongue and cheek, I think) that if it is the case that taxpayers are shelling out more for corrections than education, prisons should be held to the same "accountability" standards. There should be a "no prisoner left behind" standard, where each released person is tracked for things like job and educational success and, of course, rates of recidivism. (Yes, spelled correctly, btw  )
It is an intersting proposition--never will come to pass, but interesting all the same...
I have been interested in prison policy for a long time now, thanks in part to several relatives who have worked in the corrections system over the years. (And, I guess were I honest, thanks to several other relatives who have been guests of the system...)
I agree that jail/prison does beget more of the same. There definitely seems to be some sort of institutional socialization at play that makes folks well trained and well prepared for nothing else except being institutionalized. |
Ferociouskitty
Veteran Poster
Username: Ferociouskitty
Post Number: 137
Registered: 02-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - 10:32 am: |
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LOL @ several of your quips, Yvette.
Also, I was questioning my usage of "cohort", not my spelling of "recidivism". |
Yvettep
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 2767
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - 10:47 am: |
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Ah--cohort, yes also used correctly lol |
Yvettep
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 2768
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - 10:48 am: |
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But then, you are the Grammar Police/Queen, so you needn't have asked me |
Ferociouskitty
Veteran Poster
Username: Ferociouskitty
Post Number: 138
Registered: 02-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - 10:56 am: |
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But you are the Social Scientist/Researcher... Police/Queen, so...
Teehee. |
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