Mandatory Minimum Sentences
Last week I did my presentation on the war on drugs. My research indicated
there is a big difference when it comes to race and punishment for possession of
crack cocaine and powdered cocaine. Today, I read an article about reducing the
mandatory minimum sentence for nonviolent crack cocaine drug related charges. If
this bill is retroactive to 2010, it may release approximately 8,800 prisoners.
America has the greatest number of people in prison compared to other
countries. I just question whether or not this will help with overcrowding
conditions in our prisons. I believe it is a personal choice when using,
possessing and distributing any illicit drug. If a person do not take personal responsibility,
he or she will be right back in prison. I just hope a lighter sentence will not
indicate a softer criminal justice system. I attached the article below.
http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/20140211_DN_Editorial__JAIL_BRAKES__New_bill_would_cut_excessive_sentences_and_help_uncrowd_prisons.html
Keisha,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you 100% about people that violate the laws have made a personal choice and should take that responsibility for the results. I also believe in the deterrence of harsh sentencing guidelines for crimes. However given the overwhelming number of people in custody for non-violent drug offenses, I don't believe the deterrence is working for this type of crime. That said I don't believe mandatory minimums are appropriate here. I don't think it would lead to a "softer criminal justice system" as you stated above as the number of convictions wouldn't change, it would just not separate the offender from society as long. However I also don't think any legislative body, either federally of at the state level, will remove their mandatory minimums because then THEY would appear soft on crime which can be a political death sentence in itself.
James
It is hard to understand that type of addiction to me, so I'm not sure how the people that do get caught with a drug charge feel about this and the consequences that go along with using, selling and even making drugs. However, I always felt like if you want to kill yourself with drugs then by all means please don't spend my tax money on going to jail behind it and getting sober to get out and get back on drugs. With that said, I am all for reducing the sentences of people that go to jail because they are addicted to drugs.
ReplyDeleteI do not think reducing the sentence for some non-violent offenders will imply a softer criminal justice system. I think it will have a positive effect on some first timers because not everyone are habitual offenders. Talking to several inmates, I learned to that sometimes it is a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I never agreed with a person that kill someone getting a lighter sentence than someone selling drugs. This is a necessary change.
ReplyDeleteKeisha: You have raised good points in your blog on mandatory minimum sentences. Professor Taylor
ReplyDeleteKeisha,
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure that reducing the mandatory sentence for non-violent drug offenses will really help anything aside from a temporary fix in the prison overcrowding issues we currently face. I think you said it best; will that weaken our criminal justice system? Additionally, if I were a criminal dealing these drugs, I'd be a lot more tempted to sell if I knew I'd spend less time in prison if I were caught. The article almost suggests that this is a favored idea and more than likely will happen. Not sure it’s the right thing. From a racial discrimination stand point it would be interesting to see the statistics if 8,800 inmates are released as to what race they are and if that helps this struggle we face with possibly discrimination in the criminal justice system.