“Here in California, with the specter of early releases of hundreds of state prisoners due to prison overcrowding, is it any wonder why some officials are predicting a rise in crime if this occurs? These same elected officials–who seem to never miss an opportunity to cry “public safety” whenever their tough-on-crime, lengthy sentencing policies are questioned–are still singing the same tune without offering any answers. You, the taxpayers, are about to inherit the “after” that comes of short-sighted thinking.
Unfortunately, I have little doubt that crime will go up, simply because those felons about to be released will not be able to obtain lawful employment in these trying economic times, so they will seek to make money by any means available. This is a tragedy for both the ex-offender and the public in general, and could have been avoided if our elected and appointed officials hadn’t been so rabidly opposed to real rehabilitation.”
Does anybody think they, like released criminals before them will change? We know that 70% of criminals released commit crimes within two years of release-so will these.
Within two years we will have 28,000 more victims. Jerry and the judges have bodyguards-they will not be victims.
Why crime will rise and what to do about it
CA News & Views
The unemployment rate won’t help.
By Richard Gilliam, KALW News, 9/12/11
It was recently reported that the national unemployment rate remained bogged down at 9.1 percent. But the national unemployment rate for African-American males is much higher: 18 percent. And the actual unemployment rate for African-American teens is a staggering 47.5 percent. The unemployment rate for formerly incarcerated individuals, especially minority males, eclipses even these numbers.
Here in California, with the specter of early releases of hundreds of state prisoners due to prison overcrowding, is it any wonder why some officials are predicting a rise in crime if this occurs? These same elected officials–who seem to never miss an opportunity to cry “public safety” whenever their tough-on-crime, lengthy sentencing policies are questioned–are still singing the same tune without offering any answers. You, the taxpayers, are about to inherit the “after” that comes of short-sighted thinking.
Unfortunately, I have little doubt that crime will go up, simply because those felons about to be released will not be able to obtain lawful employment in these trying economic times, so they will seek to make money by any means available. This is a tragedy for both the ex-offender and the public in general, and could have been avoided if our elected and appointed officials hadn’t been so rabidly opposed to real rehabilitation.
That’s the bad news. The good news is it’s never too late to change course. We as a society must put our emotions aside and implement sound criminal justice policy which incorporates realistic rehabilitation components. Here are a few suggestions that will cost the taxpayer much less than locking up offenders for ever-lengthier periods of time:
Offer low-cost transitional housing to newly released offenders for up to one year. Drug-testing and mandatory drug and alcohol prevention programs (like AA and NA) as well as primary and secondary educational courses, along with mental health assessments and treatment could be administered during this period.
Offer employers a quantifiable tax incentive for hiring ex-offenders.
Expunge prior convictions (except for the most egregious cases) for employment purposes after a period of offense-free behavior. Something like two years for non-serious convictions and five years for all others.
I know there will always be those vehemently opposed to these ideas, but isn’t forgiveness the foundation of our Christian faith? This is not a “get out of jail free” policy, this is a chance for a clean start and an opportunity to succeed. It is time to ast aside the ideology of revenge and exchange it for real social justice.
By supplying housing to the recently released we alleviate the anxiety attached to the need for immediate shelter, and by offering jobs we nullify the rationale for criminality and offer hope.
The final argument in support of these ideological changes may be the most persuasive of all: An offender with a job is no longer a burden to society, he is a taxpaying asset.
Richard Gilliam is a writer currently serving time in a California prison.
