Eighty-three convicted criminals -- including high-risk sex offenders and violent felons -- have been released from two King County jails because they exceeded the total that the state Department of Corrections was allowed to place there.Today: Mrs. Gregoire orders no further release of inmates.
But it sounds like the ones who have already been released get to stay out and about.
Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at February 28, 2007 05:16 PM | Email ThisThe WSRP should take up this issue of lack of jails now and carry it over as a reason to elect them in 2008. They could start the run now on a platform of change. That platform could be to slash the Democrats pet social programs to be able to fund prisons. This would resonate with voters across the board, especially with the inability of the Governor (who should know better being the former Attorney General of the state). This could be the beginning of the WSRP's version of Newt's "Contract With America". If they would use this issue as a starting point and then add to it with some of the other issues facing this state (like tax cuts to help the economy), and follow through after elected, we could see a shift in power in 2008 and further.
Posted by: TrueSoldier on February 28, 2007 05:37 PMThere'd be a lot more room in our prisons if we'd strap a few of those guys into Old Sparky every now and then. Heck, short of that, and even short of building any more prison space, the thought of sharing a 10'x10' cell with 9 of your closest friends would dissuade a lot of crime in the first place. Ah, but we've got those judges who tell us that execution isn't "safe" (!) and putting prisoners in conditions that are nicer than when the Eighth Amendment was written is a violation of the Eighth. Will someone please remind me why we put up with these asinine interpretations of the rules of the game?
Posted by: TB on February 28, 2007 06:25 PMa little drug therapy, education, lots of positive hugs and stuff and the felons will be just fine.
would not be surprised if they try to reduce sentences too. because community supervision works much better anyway.
this is a liberal cycle for prisons. during the last liberal cycle there were riots and people killed and buildings torn up. but this time, the felons will get positive strokes and this will help their self-esteem so that won't happen.
and look at how much fun they had at the Reynolds work release. they are much better for it, right?
there is information about the plan on their web site about how good this will be for the criminals. and it won't cost the taxpayer too many more millions.
Posted by: gus on February 28, 2007 08:14 PMI also urge everyone that liked my idea to also send a letter to Luke Esser and their elected representative about the plan I outlined and add more ideas to it as you see fit. Perhaps if we get enough emails, calls, etc. they will listen.
Posted by: TrueSoldier on February 28, 2007 08:31 PMYou may be right about the whole other meaning of hot bunking though...lol
Posted by: TrueSoldier on March 1, 2007 07:31 AMOh yeah, let's spend a ton of $$ sending these prisoners back to countries that don't want them in the first place. Seems like a waste of a round-trip ticket to me.
So you think we should house them here at our own taxpayer's expense and then release them into our own society to be a predator on the masses?
Posted by: Ken on March 1, 2007 02:00 PMEverybody wins.
(Harry Reid Is A Mormon. Pass it on.)
Posted by: Rey Smith on March 1, 2007 02:14 PMWhere can one find "normal fruit" these days?
Oh yeah, let's spend a ton of $$ sending these prisoners back to countries that don't want them in the first place.
It need not be so expensive. There are alternative forms of transportation to flying, and more so to flying first class.
Posted by: Michelle on March 1, 2007 02:50 PMI hear Whole Foods has normal pesticide free fruit. That sort of place might be too liberal a shopping experience for you.
It need not be so expensive. There are alternative forms of transportation to flying, and more so to flying first class.
I'm sure sending prisoners back to their country of origin by bus/train/ship will make the USA a lot of friends in the world. Especailly when the countries of origin have no obilgation to accept them or put them in prison for a crime that was not commited on thier soil. Sounds like a loose-loose situation all around.
Oh really? Do they guarantee their fruit is not picked by illegals (felons)? The last I checked, there was no such guarantee.
I'm sure sending prisoners back to their country of origin by bus/train/ship will make the USA a lot of friends in the world. Especailly when the countries of origin have no obilgation to accept them or put them in prison for a crime that was not commited on thier soil. Sounds like a loose-loose situation all around.
The answer to this is secure the borders and enforce the law. We have no obligation to keep them here.
Posted by: Michelle on March 2, 2007 12:12 AMbecause if the move to hug them and improve their self estemm takes hold, we all will see more released felons doing crime but feeling really good about themselves while to do it.
TruSoldier, the wall suggestion might have some merit. it would keep them busy, building walls in the hot sun might get their attention that time spent in jail/prison in the US isn't all that, and there would be no early release for them either. the home country might not look so bad following six years stacking concrete blocks.
there would be some huge jurisdiction and probably constitutional issues though. their work would have to be closely supervised or easy ways through the wall could be created.
I bet Sheriff Joe could train those who supervise the effort.
Posted by: Gus on March 3, 2007 07:18 AM