I saw a blurb cross the streaming news ticker at the bottom of the CNN screen this morning that related to prison crowding in the State of California. The state legislature is deliberating over prison reforms that would allow nonviolent California prisoners who participate in education or vocational programs to serve the remainder of their sentences in community confinement centers. I applaud this progressive news.
Some citizens oppose any type of early release for people in prison, regardless of what efforts the prisoners make to reconcile with society. I don’t understand such a lust for punishment. It would seem that by now, all citizens would recognize the need for “smarter” use of our prison resources. It’s absurd to me that some citizens limit their perceptions of justice to calendar pages turning.
What would prove more beneficial to society?
- Requiring a nonviolent offender to serve every day of a 10-year sentence OR
- Encouraging that nonviolent offender to earn a vocational certificate and train for sustainable employment over a four-year period, then releasing him to a supportive group and employment?
To me, the second alternative makes so much more sense. The only segment of society that would benefit from the first would be the bloated prison industry, or those who identify with “Shylock,” Shakespeare’s character from The Merchant of Venice.
This morning I began writing at 1:51 am. I’m continuing to enjoy writing about my earliest months with Carole. Today I wrote through page 401 of the manuscript, and I feel so proud of Carole’s commitment to our marriage and happiness.
I ran 10 miles in the morning, bringing my running tally to 2,261 miles over the past 255 days.
PDF 
