Texas has made significant progress in reducing the number of new crimes committed by parolees even while increasing the parole rate. Through reforms such as providing incentives for inmates to complete programs that reduce recidivism, reducing the number of inmates discharged without supervision, and increasing the use of electronic monitoring, policymakers can build on this success. In particular, HB2649, which is on the Senate intent calendar today, would enhance public safety by providing judges the discretion to give state jail inmates an incentive to complete rehabilitation programs and work while behind bars.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
'The Role of Parole in Texas: Achieving Public Safety and Efficiency'
The headline of this post is the title of a new report from the Texas Public Policy Foundation. I haven't had a chance to read it yet but wanted to pass along the link (pdf) Here's the description received via email:
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Texas Public Policy Foundation
Give Texas Victims a Voice
The week of April 10-16 was National Crime Victims’ Rights Week – a time set aside to honor victims and their advocates as well as promote their rights. It was a week reserved to turn our attention to the true consumers of the corrections system – those who have been personally wronged by an offender.
I guess that one got by us. Oh wait, we don't give thought to crime victims.
"Oh wait, we don't give thought to crime victims."
That is simply not true Anon 11.29.
It is not an either/or situation. You can have compassion for victims and also want to try to ensure that offenders have a better chance of succeeding upon release.
And when the victims actually want the inmate paroled, or released, is that not to be supported too?
11:29, TPPF didn't do much to celebrate Arbor Day on April 29, either, but it doesn't mean they dislike trees.
Personally I am sick of hearing about victims. Victims, by definition, are losers. Our state legislature, AG, district attorneys and police need to end this degrading practice of victim compensation and so-called victim's bill of rights and other silly-assed overtures. With the exception of children, if you've snakebit, shot, robbed, or f*cked, pick yourself up off the floor and move on. Neither the state nor law enforcement needs to insure you from life's bad days.
My Dearest 6:27
Unless I've gotten it wrong, we are attempting to find solutions and spark positive debate, on the issues at hand.
I must wholeheartedly agree that anonymous postings of inflammatory nature do show a lack conviction in a persons opinion or else they would use their login. Gee don't hold back, tell us how you really feel.
True, Homeless. The first commenter wanted to take to string off topic and clearly succeeded. Only sunray's wench so far on this string has even mentioned the subject of parole, which of course is what the post is about.
The report itself is filled with interesting stuff, btw.
Why doesn't anybody talk about the real issue behind parole....it's the police state's way of keeping strings tied to people's lives, while fleecing their and the taxpayers pockets for more MONEY.The criminal (in)justice system in this country is all about money, power, and politics...it has nothing to do with justice. The system is too large and powerful, and needs to be dismantled, and start over. Until we get back to the punishment actually fitting the crime, then the masses will continue to see the law as totally irrelevant. We're in a mess, boys and girls...
As being a former parole officer in Texas, I think that it is questionable as to if any of these programs are really reducing new crimes being committed by parolees.
Most parolees, on the average, see their parole officer about 20 minutes a month. The rest of time who knows what that individual is doing, especially if he is not gainfully employed.
Additionally, I have concern's about some violations not being addressed to the fullest extent. In the past, it was well known that if a parolee tested positive for cocaine, graduated sanctions would be used to address the positive test.
Well it was clear to me back then, that if a parolee tested positive and admitted to the use of cocaine, he would have had to had committed a new felony offense since he would have had to have cocaine in his possession. I was always amazed that the parole system did not adress these issues as new criminal offenses.
I agree with anonymous 9:35, with TDCJ, it is ALL about the money and keeping people locked up! I dont know where the author of this article got his information, but I would like to know and see where the programs are to help keep offenders from re-offending and being locked up or revoked! They don't even have enough parole officer to supervise the ones who are being set free, so they revoke them! Our system is broken, and unless we want the supreme court to come in and do what they did in California and have a bunch of criminals on our streets (unrehabilitated), we had better do something and quickly! That is the TRUE parole issue!
Some people use up all their empathy on the criminals (who they say are innocent). They have little left over for the victims of these horrible crimes.
IMO Marc's most important statement in the entire report is, "Empirical research has demonstrated that there is no connection
between the length of time served and recidivism and that inmates who serve longer, particularly non-violent, low-risk inmates,recidivate at a higher rate because they become more hardened and disconnected from how to live by the rules in the
real world and critical supports such as family and church."
Let's get honest about objections to parole - revenge is the motivation and public safety takes a second seat. Let's stop using the "sex" boogy man. Violent crime is violent crime, period.
There is research published at NIC to support all of the bills that have been put forth in this leg. session but not referenced.
His final conclusion that parole should be "impossible" for sex offenders is a myth that is refuted by research. All sex offenders are not alike and the same criteria should be employed as for any other cohort.
9.54 ~ "some people" maybe, but I would suggest that most normal people can sympathise plenty with the victim but at the same time, not want to exact a cruel or protracted punishment on the inmate - who they may or may not believe to be guilty of the crime.
"some people" are content to be professional victims on behalf of other victims who may be more comfortable to move on with their lives. Makes me wonder who actually does more damage to society as a whole in the long run.
In response to Anonymous' post at 5/25/2011 06:27:00 AM
"Personally I am sick of hearing about victims. Victims, by definition, are losers. Our state legislature, AG, district attorneys and police need to end this degrading practice of victim compensation and so-called victim's bill of rights and other silly-assed overtures. With the exception of children, if you've snakebit, shot, robbed, or f*cked, pick yourself up off the floor and move on. Neither the state nor law enforcement needs to insure you from life's bad days."
In your argument you are assuming that all crimes affect victims in the same and equal way, but they do not. For example what if the crime committed against a person leaves them physically unable to their job, i.e. the victim of a drunk driving accident that will never be able to walk again, Someone is going to have to look out for that person's welfare, because they cannot, "just pick themselves up off the floor" as you recommend. Cases like that are what victim compensation is for. Also neither Webster’s nor the oxford dictionary defines victims as losers.
hi,
Creamy grits are served for breakfast in the South, and often take the place of rice or other starches in dinner dishes. Use stone-ground grits if you can find them.
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Our parole system doesn't work, if the purpose of the system is to reduce crime and get ex-offenders into productive roles in society. In other countries, like Holland and Sweden, when an offender gets out of prison they are given every assistance possible to find a job and a place to live. In Texas we do everything possible to make sure that ex-convicts are pressured into violating parole and returning to prison or leaving the country.
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