Yesterday, I posted my opinion as to why I believe rehabilitation is not more successful in Minnesota. Although anecdotal and limited to Minnesota, one can extrapolate the consequences of poorly conceived and executed rehabilitation policies nationwide and witness the results.
Today, I became aware of the Pew Center’s most recent study detailing recidivism rates state-by-state. Guess what? Minnesota has the highest recidivism rate (61%) of all states! And the national rate? 40% of felons return to prison within three years of being released to the streets. These are not statistics to be proud of, especially since so much money has been thrown at the problem.
These numbers are bothersome. But what is really disturbing is a quote from Mr. Jim Reams, a New Hampshire prosecutor, who apparently spoke on behalf of the National District Attorneys Assoc. regarding this study. His remark, partly paraphrased, allegedly reflects a common perception that people in prison are choir boys and if they were let out of prison, “all will be well.”
That opinion reflects a naivete certainly not shared by those working in the criminal justice system, or by the population as a whole.
As a criminal defense attorney in Minnesota for the past 32 years, I have not known the National District Attorneys Assoc. to aggressively support any treatment-based alternatives to incarceration. In fact, I’ll go so far as to say that the prosecutor’s association listens intently to the law enforcement community, and that community strongly supports prison, not probation, for the majority of felons. And to take this a step further, I believe the association supported the implementation of sentencing guidelines that ushered in determinate sentencing. Why would they support determinate sentencing? To limit the sentencing discretion of judges. What has been the effect of the guidelines in state and federal courts? To shift the power to prosecutors who, based on which crime is charged, can increase or decrease the severity level of the crime and, consequently, the sentence to be imposed.
It is a well-known fact that most of the money pouring into the prison system is for security, not rehabilitation. And the emphasis on most treatment programs is at the front end. That is, while incarcerated. Relatively speaking, most of the money is not allocated toward the transitional phase from these programs and back to the community when felons are most vulnerable. Felons need assistance in finding jobs, places to live just like the rest of us.
Until the criminal justice system- as a whole- takes a more realistic approach to grappling with the recurring problems felons encounter upon release from prison, the states’ recidivism rates will continue to remain inexcusably high.
Treatment-based alternatives to prison and continuity of treatment through the transitional phase from prison to streetside for the majority of felons is sorely lacking. Why is this so difficult to see?
Subscribe via Rss
Subscribe via Email
Thank God! Someone with brains spekas!
I am totllay wowed and prepared to take the next step now.
Woot, I will ceratinly put this to good use!
Hey, good to find soomene who agrees with me. GMTA.
I actually had to read it again to completely understand it. Your viewpoint on the topic is very outright and convincing.
i had to go through it again since i could not grab the entire escence of the post in one go.That was a very articulate and logical point you make there.I appreciate you letting me know your thinking on this.
In awe of that awsenr! Really cool!
I went to tons of links before this, what was I thinikng?
my feelings on this topic vary from you.its fine that you brought this up on your blog,it was a nice debatable go through.
I just added your web site to my favorites. I like reading your posts. Ty!
Knolwgdee wants to be free, just like these articles!
I cannot tell a lie, that really helepd.
your site ranks high on yahoo and i must say your consistent writing style deserves your blog to be such high in rankings.i relished your writing style.keep it up.
Important point you make there. but i actually do not fully agree with you on this. also things are a bit evolved nowadays.
I don’t know what you mean when you say “things are a bit evolved nowadays.” I agree that the thinking has evolved to the point that law enforcement in the broadest sense recognize the need for rehabilitation. But giving mere lip service to what is painfully obvious does not constitute- in my book- a sufficient degree of evolution to permit society, as a whole, to feel comfortable believing that once a person goes to prison they routinely become rehabilitated by virtue of incarceration.
Striving for rehabilitation is not like washing clothes.
Straight to the point and well written, tyvm for the information
i happen to be viewing your website from sometime and i also need to say you always keep good consistency,hence i constantly enjoy reading your website.
Not a bad blog post,in reality truly excellent one.nonetheless I truly miss that you diligently didn’t express thoughts and opinions in detail, but its ok you simply have dissimilar approach to posting.
No Bull crap and published, thanks to you for the content
Hello, I accidentaly found your blog!I am trying to get ideas for proper writting style for my own website and what you write definitely gave me some ideas. You have a cool website so keep up the good work!
your site ranks high on yahoo and i must say your consistent writing style deserves your blog to be such high in rankings.i relished your writing style.keep it up.
Gracias!good quality points you high light in this article. I’m not in its entirety together with you, though enjoyed to learn your view point on this subject.
Thought I would comment and say neat theme, did you code it on your own? It looks really good!
i still dont know whether i agree with you on this one or not. but its good arumentative post.
i have been reading your blog from sometime and i must say you always maintain good consistency,hence i always enjoy reading your blog.
Interesting point of view. Wondering what you think of it’s implication on society as a whole though? There are times when things like this begin to have global expansion and frustration. I’ll check back to see what you have to say.
Society advances or stagnates; it doesn’t stand still. That being true, don’t we- as a community- need to assist others? Doesn’t this help all?
Honestly i am in two minds on whether to take stand for or against. you are simply sharing your own point,i appreciate it. For some it will ring true for others it may not resemble their experience at all. I’m simply encouraging dialogue in the hope others will get the support they need.
If you really want you can look the other way and not talk about it.but you talked.thanls.Don’t give up your morals for anything. This will lead to a sad and unfulfilling life.
A good discussion can be started on this post,as I do not fully agree with you, but nevertheless,good post.
everytime i visit your blog i find atleast one post that interests me.your content never ceases to engage me.
as you may know very well than me these days blogs are cropping up all over the place.most people starting such blogs think,they can write anyway and anything on there blog which is definately not true.but your blog solely stands out for your writing style,it is actually quite engrossing.keep at it.
I actually had to read it again to completely understand it. Your viewpoint on the topic is very outright and convincing.
your site ranks high on yahoo and i must say your consistent writing style deserves your blog to be such high in rankings.i relished your writing style.keep it up.
this post was written some time ago and many prospects have changed since then.nevertheless thanks for bringing up this topic on your blog.
my views on this topic differ from you.its good that you brought this up on your blog,it was a nice controversial read.
This is a good subject to talk about. Sometimes I fav stuff like this on Redit. I think this would be the best to submit though. I will be sure to submit something else though.
Thought I would comment and say neat theme, did you code it on your own? It looks really good!
hello!a bit offtopic but can you tell how much does it cost to setup a blog?not a expensive and good looking one like yours,but a small normal one?
I actually had to read it again to completely understand it. Your viewpoint on the topic is very outright and convincing.
Gracias!good quality points you high light in this article. I’m not in its entirety together with you, though enjoyed to learn your view point on this subject.
Wow some of the info of this post is news to me.thank you for updating me.
your blog sure does rank high in bing for some keyphrases,thats how i got here and i must say it deserves the rankings.really liked this post.
Thought I would comment and say neat theme, did you code it on your own? It looks really good!
Your article seems interesting, i have noted it my digg and stumble account.The point you are making is easy to understand and effective.
Straight to the point and well written, tyvm for the information
Do you care if I put part of this on my site if I post a link to this site?
No, I don’t mind.
Usually i dont provide feedback to sites, but yours has some rare content hence wanted to thank you.
as you may know very well than me these days blogs are cropping up all over the place.most people starting such blogs think,they can write anyway and anything on there blog which is definately not true.but your blog solely stands out for your writing style,it is actually quite engrossing.keep at it.
Thought I would comment and say neat theme, did you code it on your own? It looks really good!
everytime i visit your blog i find atleast one post that interests me.your content never ceases to engage me.
Outstanding! When something works, just reinforce it,right? Point out how well everything went when they chose a certain action and how if they choose that again they can have a similar result. but i dont understand why the viewpoint changed drastically.
Wow some of the info of this post is news to me.thank you for updating me.
so you think this way on this topic. i am not sure whether i am with you or against you on this.
I have been meaning to post something like this on my blog and this gave me an idea. Cheers.
your site ranks high on yahoo and i must say your consistent writing style deserves your blog to be such high in rankings.i relished your writing style.keep it up.
Important point you make there. but i actually do not fully agree with you on this. also things are a bit evolved nowadays.
Honestly i am in two minds on whether to take stand for or against. you are simply sharing your own point,i appreciate it. For some it will ring true for others it may not resemble their experience at all. I’m simply encouraging dialogue in the hope others will get the support they need.
Actually after reading this article, i am against you on this. I do not blame you,and am actually thankful for bringing this up on your blog. I am just conjuring up a dialogue here,no hard feelings.
Hello, I accidentaly found your blog!I am trying to get ideas for proper writting style for my own website and what you write definitely gave me some ideas. You have a cool website so keep up the good work!
Interesting point of view. Wondering what you think of it’s implication on society as a whole though? There are times when things like this begin to have global expansion and frustration. I’ll check back to see what you have to say.
i have been reading your blog from sometime and i must say you always maintain good consistency,hence i always enjoy reading your blog.
my thought processes on this subject vary from you.its fine that you brought this up on your weblog,it was a great debatable understand.
Great points altogether, personally I’m gonna have to bookmark this and come back to it. I’m curious if you have any follow ups to this post?
I just added your web site to my favorites. I like reading your posts. Ty!
my feelings on this topic vary from you.its fine that you brought this up on your blog,it was a nice debatable go through.
A good discussion can be started on this post,as I do not fully agree with you, but nevertheless,good post.
Outstanding! When something works, just reinforce it,right? Point out how well everything went when they chose a certain action and how if they choose that again they can have a similar result. but i dont understand why the viewpoint changed drastically.
Very good suggestions, you just gained a brand new reader. I’m curious if you have any follow ups to this post?
Interesting point of view. Wondering what you think of it’s implication on society as a whole though? There are times when things like this begin to have global expansion and frustration. I’ll check back to see what you have to say.
you know actually i got on this blog by an accident,didnt mean to search this.but still this post was a good read but surely agruable one.
i still dont know whether i agree with you on this one or not. but its good arumentative post.
the way you connect with your readers through your posts is amazing,be it a video,image or a post, you seem to exactly know what fits in the criteria.beleive me i read 10’s of blogs every week, but your posts are quite engrossing than the rest. I just hope you continue writing and updating this blog!
Actually after reading this article, i am against you on this. I do not blame you,and am actually thankful for bringing this up on your blog. I am just conjuring up a dialogue here,no hard feelings.
I have been meaning to post something like this on my blog and this gave me an idea. Cheers.
everytime i visit your blog i find atleast one post that interests me.your content never ceases to engage me.
Your article seems interesting, i have noted it my digg and stumble account.The point you are making is easy to understand and effective.
Do you care if I put part of this on my site if I post a link to this site?
Is it okay to post part of this on my page if I post a reference to this webpage?
Not a bad post,in fact really fine.but I really miss that you didn’t express your opinion in detail, but its ok you just have different approach to writing.
If you really want you can look the other way and not talk about it.but you talked.thanls.Don’t give up your morals for anything. This will lead to a sad and unfulfilling life.
my views on this topic differ from you.its good that you brought this up on your blog,it was a nice controversial read.
Outstanding! When something works, just reinforce it,right? Point out how well everything went when they chose a certain action and how if they choose that again they can have a similar result. but i dont understand why the viewpoint changed drastically.
Wow some of the info of this post is news to me.thank you for updating me.
Not a bad post,in fact really fine.but I really miss that you didn’t express your opinion in detail, but its ok you just have different approach to writing.
a good discussion can be started on this post,as i do not fully agree with you,but nevertheless,good post.
Your article seems interesting, i have noted it my digg and stumble account.The point you are making is easy to understand and effective.
A good discussion can be started on this post,as I do not fully agree with you, but nevertheless,good post.
This post is one of those on which an interactive argument can be started as i differ from you on this, but nonetheless great quality post.
I just added this site to my bookmarks. I like reading your posts. Thank you!
Wow some of the info of this post is news to me.thank you for updating me.
I just added this site to my bookmarks. I like reading your posts. Thank you!
my views on this topic differ from you.its good that you brought this up on your blog,it was a nice controversial read.
you know actually i got on this blog by an accident,didnt mean to search this.but still this post was a good read but surely agruable one.
your site ranks high on yahoo and i must say your consistent writing style deserves your blog to be such high in rankings.i relished your writing style.keep it up.
Thanks for the pleasant read! Ok break time is over and back to my homework.
nice blog, thank you
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I’ve truly enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. After all I will be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
A good post with lots of food for thought.
Good article. Keep it up.
Can I just say what a relief to uncover an individual who truly knows what theyre talking about on the web. You undoubtedly know the way to bring an concern to light and make it significant. Additional persons have to read this and realize this side of the story. I cant believe youre not additional well known simply because you definitely have the gift.
Thanks, great to see some people today still put effort in to their websites.
I found your blog website on google and check a few of your early posts. Proceed to keep up the excellent operate. I simply additional up your RSS feed to my MSN Information Reader. In search of forward to reading more from you later on!…
I got what you specify, thanks for swing up. Woh I am cheerful to chance this website finished google. Thanks For Share Post Script to Apr.13, 2011, Post regarding Mn. Gov. Dayton’s selection for Commissioner of Corrections | Law Tick.
After examine just a few of the blog posts in your web site now, and I really like your manner of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website checklist and shall be checking again soon. Pls check out my site as properly and let me know what you think.
I got what you destine, thanks for putting up. Woh I am gladsome to bump this website through google. Thanks For Share Post Script to Apr.13, 2011, Post regarding Mn. Gov. Dayton’s selection for Commissioner of Corrections | Law Tick.
I got what you intend, thanks for putting up. Woh I am cheerful to acquire this website through google. Thanks For Share Post Script to Apr.13, 2011, Post regarding Mn. Gov. Dayton’s selection for Commissioner of Corrections | Law Tick.
This short article allows the easy of which you can easily see the certainty. This is often really awesome only one and give in-depth important information. Thank you this amazing good page
I got what you mean, thanks for putting up. Woh I am glad to make this website through google. Thanks For Share Post Script to Apr.13, 2011, Post regarding Mn. Gov. Dayton’s selection for Commissioner of Corrections | Law Tick.
An fascinating dialogue is price comment. I think that you need to write more on this topic, it may not be a taboo topic however typically individuals are not sufficient to talk on such topics. To the next. Cheers
I got what you will, thanks for putting up. Woh I am happy to get this website through google. Thanks For Share Post Script to Apr.13, 2011, Post regarding Mn. Gov. Dayton’s selection for Commissioner of Corrections | Law Tick.
Great article. Keep it up.
I got what you think, thanks for putting up. Woh I am willing to maturate this website through google. Thanks For Share Post Script to Apr.13, 2011, Post regarding Mn. Gov. Dayton’s selection for Commissioner of Corrections | Law Tick.
After research just a few of the weblog posts on your website now, and I actually like your approach of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website listing and will be checking again soon. Pls check out my website as properly and let me know what you think.
An interesting communicating is worth remark. I expect that you should write writer on this substance, it mightiness not be a inhibition theme but generally fill are not enough to mouth on such topics. To the succeeding. Cheers like your Post Script to Apr.13, 2011, Post regarding Mn. Gov. Dayton’s selection for Commissioner of Corrections | Law Tick.
I got what you think, thanks for putting up. Woh I am glad to ascertain this website finished google. Thanks For Share Post Script to Apr.13, 2011, Post regarding Mn. Gov. Dayton’s selection for Commissioner of Corrections | Law Tick.
I got what you designate, thanks for swing up. Woh I am glad to comprehend this website finished google. Thanks For Share Post Script to Apr.13, 2011, Post regarding Mn. Gov. Dayton’s selection for Commissioner of Corrections | Law Tick.
I got what you impart, thanks for putting up. Woh I am willing to ascertain this website finished google. Thanks For Share Post Script to Apr.13, 2011, Post regarding Mn. Gov. Dayton’s selection for Commissioner of Corrections | Law Tick.
You really make it seem really easy together with your presentation but I in finding this matter to be actually something which I believe I’d by no means understand. It sort of feels too complicated and extremely wide for me. I’m having a look forward in your next post, I’ll try to get the hold of it!