07-30-2015, 07:55 PM
Today, U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced some of her plans for reforming the U.S. Criminal Justice System.
I agree with her that there are too many US citizens incarcerated for non-violent offenses in the U.S. 1 in 3 adults in the US has an arrest record -- the highest ratio in the world.
It's always bothered me that so many US citizens are incarcerated for long periods for non-trafficking drug offenses (that's been changing for the better over the last year with changes in the law, though).
And, I know that it's a challenge for people with any type of arrest record to obtain employment; I know that based on my own hiring requirements and those of other business owners I've worked with and for.
So, I generally agree with Lynch that rehabilitation efforts need to be increased and more opportunities for ex-cons should be available (except when it comes to murderers and child molesters; they should be kept inside for life, IMO), though I'd like to see more details and costs associated with the reforms she's planning.
I agree with her that there are too many US citizens incarcerated for non-violent offenses in the U.S. 1 in 3 adults in the US has an arrest record -- the highest ratio in the world.
It's always bothered me that so many US citizens are incarcerated for long periods for non-trafficking drug offenses (that's been changing for the better over the last year with changes in the law, though).
And, I know that it's a challenge for people with any type of arrest record to obtain employment; I know that based on my own hiring requirements and those of other business owners I've worked with and for.
So, I generally agree with Lynch that rehabilitation efforts need to be increased and more opportunities for ex-cons should be available (except when it comes to murderers and child molesters; they should be kept inside for life, IMO), though I'd like to see more details and costs associated with the reforms she's planning.