Posted on Apr 7, 2016
New Orleans Man Faces 20 Years To Life For Candy Bar Theft
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"Isn’t this a little over the top?" The Judge asked as the accused's offense was being read as a felony charge.
Habitual heroin addict + potential mental health issues = disaster.
Another article, the author did the math and calculated you could buy this man 309 candy bars (snickers, butterfingers, baby ruths) per day until he died in jail. That's using the ~$18,000/year it cost to sustain a prisoner in a Louisiana jail.
Does our justice system need reform? I mean this man is potentially going to get 20 years (i can't see a judge giving him life for his record of non violent crimes) - yet a first time sexual assault offender is likely to get much less time. Has our prison system turned into a "for profit" business vs a true rehabilitation and release industry?
Thoughts?
Habitual heroin addict + potential mental health issues = disaster.
Another article, the author did the math and calculated you could buy this man 309 candy bars (snickers, butterfingers, baby ruths) per day until he died in jail. That's using the ~$18,000/year it cost to sustain a prisoner in a Louisiana jail.
Does our justice system need reform? I mean this man is potentially going to get 20 years (i can't see a judge giving him life for his record of non violent crimes) - yet a first time sexual assault offender is likely to get much less time. Has our prison system turned into a "for profit" business vs a true rehabilitation and release industry?
Thoughts?
New Orleans Man Faces 20 Years To Life For Candy Bar Theft
Posted from npr.org
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Justice
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
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First this is a State issue and not a Federal issue, so he would go to a "State" prison, not a Federal facility.
The deeper issue come up is what is the function of prisons? Rehabilitation, punishment or a combination of both?
IMO it should be a combination of both, but not in the same buildings, and involves two separate sentences. One for the punishment of the crime and the other for the rehab be it substance or skills instruction.
Those convicted should be placed with ones that have committed like crimes, IOW, you don't put a non-violent thief, with murderers and rapists.
It's a complicated issue, but the goal of ALL penal systems should to keep criminals away from the public while being punished and rehabilitated.
The deeper issue come up is what is the function of prisons? Rehabilitation, punishment or a combination of both?
IMO it should be a combination of both, but not in the same buildings, and involves two separate sentences. One for the punishment of the crime and the other for the rehab be it substance or skills instruction.
Those convicted should be placed with ones that have committed like crimes, IOW, you don't put a non-violent thief, with murderers and rapists.
It's a complicated issue, but the goal of ALL penal systems should to keep criminals away from the public while being punished and rehabilitated.
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LTC (Join to see)
Indeed, it is a state issue - but it's not limited to Louisiana.
Beyond that - I concur with your rationale Chief. But I do think there needs to be some standardized penalty system - in which a more severe/violent crime warrants less time than a non violent crime. That's one of the key issues that I think needs to be addressed - as well as some of the valid points you brought up.
Beyond that - I concur with your rationale Chief. But I do think there needs to be some standardized penalty system - in which a more severe/violent crime warrants less time than a non violent crime. That's one of the key issues that I think needs to be addressed - as well as some of the valid points you brought up.
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Get the man some regular help. Being in jail isn't really going to fix much.
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