Why Smart on Crime
Versus
“Tough on Crime“?
America has come to a crossroad in its concept of being the “Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.”
In an effort to curb rising crime rates, especially drug offenses, Congress and States enacted laws that gave prosecutors virtually unlimited powers. The choice facing the accused changed from guilty versus not guilty, to deciding whether to chance a life sentence versus pleading to a lesser offense and “only” getting five to ten years in prison.
Since few are willing to risk a life sentence, most plead to a lesser offense even though they might be innocent. This has increased the incarceration rate exponentially so that now all of the penal institutions are overflowing with prisoners, and in many places more money is going to incarceration than education.
States are now hurting for income, and it's making them take another look at their “tough on crime” stance. Alternatives to incarceration are being examined, especially for non-violent drug offenders. The mantra is now becoming “Smart on Crime” rather than “Tough on Crime.”
However, the Federal government apparently hasn't felt the impact of the cost of incarceration as yet. They continue to build more and more prisons to warehouse people, without any significant impact on the levels of crime.
Albert Einstein once said “Insanity is defined as doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result.” If the goal is truly to reduce crime, then this statement certainly applies to the federal philosophy of crime and punishment. If the goal is to support the “Prison-Industrial Complex”, a burgeoning business enterprise that continues to consume more and more of your tax dollars while vital programs are being reduced, then that certainly explains why the process is continuing.
Only public outcry as to the waste - in dollars and in human lives - of the current process will change the situation. And the outcry must be long and hard in order for our elected representatives to take notice. One of our country's Founding Fathers, Samuel Adams, said: “... it does not take a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds.“ We hope to be among those of whom Mr. Adams spoke.
The Federal Prison Policy Project is dedicated to getting the outcry heard and acted upon. However, we must have your support to do so.
Consider being an active member of FPPP. Let your voice join the hundreds of thousands of other voices that are suffering because their loved ones are incarcerated. Join today, and we will become a mighty force in speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Join today because it's the right thing to do. |