tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post5714691832988050406..comments2024-03-15T05:45:01.402-05:00Comments on Grits for Breakfast: Roundup of Key Texas Criminal Justice LegislationGritsforbreakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-64288965865769705472007-05-06T11:51:00.000-05:002007-05-06T11:51:00.000-05:00annie ~ I agree with you on both points. Trouble i...annie ~ I agree with you on both points. Trouble is with the first, that those on parole are pretty much tied to wherever their parole officer is and it seems to be very difficult to get permission for a short trip across state, let alone a whole relocation.<BR/><BR/>Second point ~ where do we sign?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-9679054215876926802007-05-06T08:51:00.000-05:002007-05-06T08:51:00.000-05:00JT, you might consider running in the primary of o...JT, you might consider running in the primary of one of the major parties. I'm skeptical about the ability of 3rd Party candidates to avoid their issues seeming too "fringe." I'd like to see more people taking that message about paying for penalty hikes into mainstream politics. <BR/><BR/>In a Republican primary, for example, it holds fiscal conservatives accountable to an espoused small government philosophy that's routinely tossed out the window when they get to the capitol. Or in D primaries, it's important to challenge those who are tuffer-than-thou to explain how that's best for their major constituencies (it's often not). I'm not sure what's to be gained by running those issues in Libertarian or Green settings, to be frank - in both cases I think it marginalizes the issue and misses opportunities. Good luck, in any event.Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-67986903542825673332007-05-06T08:33:00.000-05:002007-05-06T08:33:00.000-05:00In Oregon we LOVE mass incarceration but HATE to a...In Oregon we LOVE mass incarceration but HATE to actually pay for it. Measure 11 passed by over 70% but when it comes to funding local jails they all go down easily. We have another measure in our house on measure 11 and there is another mass incarceration ballot measure being circulated by the same folks who are scared witless to discuss drug policy to lock more folks up. There are many local counties trying to raise taxes to actually pay for local jails in several counties with few expected to pass.<BR/> I am likely to run as a third party candidate with my platform being dedicated revenue funds. If you are going to lock people up you must find a way to actually pay for it in advance. Of course that will be completely ignored by media who will focus on my liberal views on "dangerous drugs" - and of course they won't be willing to actual discuss drug policy in a public forum either.JT Barriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15571868033521182864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-51908281055150929442007-05-06T05:27:00.000-05:002007-05-06T05:27:00.000-05:00I'd like to see ex-offenders moved away from their...I'd like to see ex-offenders moved away from their own neighborhood and families. With the recidivism rate (80% in my state within 3 years), it proves that moving back into the same dysfunctional family, and back to the same peer group (who support the resumption of criminal behavior) is not working. <BR/><BR/>Also, Id like to see the focus on punishment shift to EDUCATION. Most of our ex-offenders have no skill when they are trying to reintegrate, so find no job. <BR/><BR/>Here's a novel alternative: build a secured TOWN (instead of a prison) with DORMS instead of cells, a Trade Tech for blue collar training, and a University for white collar training.<BR/><BR/>There IS such a group who want to do just that, looking for professionals right now. Check out the blog at gracetowne.blogspot.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-19837532387433381392007-05-05T21:23:00.000-05:002007-05-05T21:23:00.000-05:00I'd like to add that HB 1534, which would provide ...I'd like to add that HB 1534, which would provide an afirmative defense for bona fide medical marijuana patients, and protection for their doctors, died in the House Public Health committee because Rep. Delisi refused to give it a hearing.<BR/><BR/>Advocates held a "shadow hearing" where a number of patients, a minister, an elderly Republican couple, and an ex-DEA agent gave convinicing testimony in favor of the bill. For more info, check their web site: <A HREF="http://www.texansformedicalmarijuana.org" REL="nofollow"> www.texansformedicalmarijuana.org</A>Myst0niahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12743977308937193996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-52991057889372573422007-05-05T20:36:00.000-05:002007-05-05T20:36:00.000-05:00:)I like your enthusiasm, but I'm afraid my word f...:)<BR/><BR/>I like your enthusiasm, but I'm afraid my word falls far short of gospel (just <A HREF="http://tdcaa.infopop.net/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=347098965&f=157098965&m=8531041941" REL="nofollow">ask the DAs!</A>), though I try to be as honest and accurate as possible. It's certainly my opinion and personal experience, though, that maintaining family ties reduces recidivism. If you have information to the contrary, though (longitudinal studies, etc.), by all means let me know.Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-89862693685462335512007-05-05T20:13:00.000-05:002007-05-05T20:13:00.000-05:00Anon @4:05. How dare you question Grits' veracity...Anon @4:05. How dare you question Grits' veracity. If he says it's so, then dog gone it, it's gospel!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-81318369707764190612007-05-05T16:14:00.000-05:002007-05-05T16:14:00.000-05:00I don't have time to hunt down studies but I've he...I don't have time to hunt down studies but I've heard and read the argument may times that inmates who stay in contact with their families while inside recidivate less once they're out.<BR/><BR/>Remember, there's an approved call list and the calls are monitored except those with their attorney. The folks who want to use phones for illicit purposes will continue to pay $500 for a cell phone, just like they do now. This only facilitates contact with families and legitimate calls.Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-58472323401744574232007-05-05T16:05:00.000-05:002007-05-05T16:05:00.000-05:00I can agree with you on most of the elements of th...I can agree with you on most of the elements of the inmate phone bill except the part about reducing recidivism. Can you point me to a longitudinal study for Texas inmates or elsewhere that shows this to be true or are you just saying it's so?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com