I have no problem with this so long as their are qualifiers, such as if you are in for life with no parole, shouldn’t be sucking up additional resources. You also need to offer limited majors. For example, convicted felons can’t work in the financial services industry if their conviction had anything to do with fraud or theft.

I would think it would make more sense to have a robust trade school option. Most people in prison didn’t exactly focus on education and when they were young and lack a lot of basic skills that make real college level learning impossible.

Well, I agree with the trade school aspect, but Pell could be used for that as well. I didn't mean to imply it was only for college courses.

Programs that reduce recidivism should be celebrated.

The first thing I thought of….

(06-24-2021 05:00 AM)JDTulane Wrote:  Programs that reduce recidivism should be celebrated.

Like throw a fab party celebrated? They should definitely be encouraged and supported, celebrated seems kind of gay but whatever.

It's easy to be calloused and hard on those people behind bars when you never have to see them or interact with them. Walking by a tiny jail cell as some young man peers out at you from behind bars can be unnerving, it's difficult seeing these people in that situation even knowing that most deserve it. I've always been of the opinion that if you commit a crime you better be prepared for the possible consequences even if it means a life behind bars and I still believe that but every now and then I question the humanity of it.

Almost every one of the people in prison right now did something that put them there and many, if not most, will be right back there soon after their release because they don't know any other way. We just finished up a project at the local county lockup installing almost 400 android tablets - and a boatload of AP's - that the inmates can pay to use. The tablets allow them access to movies, books, music, games etc. It also allows them access to educational materials and courses along with a law library. Most who can afford it will use these for movies and music primarily but hey, it's their money. The smart ones will use them to get a degree or some type of certification which can help keep them out of jail once released.

Anyone that claims to be a Christian knows about 2nd chances. We serve a God of 2nd chances.

With that being said I don’t have a problem with drug offenders (We need to release anyone locked up for marijuana but that’s for another thread) whose offenses did not result in the death or injury of someone else, those drug offenders should be rehabilitated, educated, trained and given the opportunity to earn their freedom.

Violent offenders, on the other hand, need to be locked up for life. I don’t have a problem with them being rehabilitated and educated but should serve the entirety of their sentences.

This discussion reminds me of what Nelson Mandela said about prison and prison reform.

“A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones…”

(06-24-2021 07:20 AM)CardinalJim Wrote:  Anyone that claims to be a Christian knows about 2nd chances. We serve a God of 2nd chances.

With that being said I don’t have a problem with drug offenders (We need to release anyone locked up for marijuana but that’s for another thread) whose offenses did not result in the death or injury of someone else, those drug offenders should be rehabilitated, educated, trained and given the opportunity to earn their freedom.

Violent offenders, on the other hand, need to be locked up for life. I don’t have a problem with them being rehabilitated and educated but should serve the entirety of their sentences.

This discussion reminds me of what Nelson Mandela said about prison and prison reform.

“A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones…”

Good one A Mandela quote and a drug double entendre. Bravo!