Tag Archive for parole

Why Give Pets to Prisoners?

December 20, 2019 Comments Off on Why Give Pets to Prisoners?

I just read an article about various prisons running programs in which neglected, abandoned, or abused dogs are assigned to the care of prisoners rather than being housed in shelters.  These people foster the animals, caring for them, training them, and teaching them to trust humans again. Eventually the dogs are ready to move on, into loving adoptive families.

There is a corollary to the successful rehabilitation of the dogs.  The prisoners, many of whom are felons due, in great part, to the fact that they, too, grew up neglected, abandoned, or abused, have a revival of their compassion and sense of responsibility.  In that way, they are being rehabilitated, just like their waggly wards.  Isn’t that what the prison system is supposed to do?  Many of these individuals, once released, find jobs in dog grooming, training, and care.  Others have refreshed their work ethic and determination to find and do well at a job.

These programs at any prison are small (maybe 20 pup/prisoner teams) but effective.  Unlike some other people, I don’t consider this being soft on crime.  Rather, I think it’s taking what is good in a person who has done bad and putting it to a use that is beneficial to our animal friends while giving him or her a fighting chance to reintegrate into society rather than re-offending.  I, for one, think that’s a good thing.

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OJ Simpson and the System

July 21, 2017 Comments Off on OJ Simpson and the System

I’ve been in parole hearings (a victim can bring a non-participating supportive friend).  Both times the person was denied parole, despite the victim’s urging release, the inmate’s exemplary, peaceful, productive life Inside, and a show of respect  and remorse during the proceedings.

Then I watched the OJ Simpson hearing.  He spent a lot of time doing something that isn’t supposed to happen in a parole hearing–re-litigating the case.  The premise is that the case has been heard and judged and should not be re-tried during the parole hearing.  That’s in the past.  But  the Board allowed it.

Also, he showed no remorse, accepted no guilt.  In fact, he blamed everyone else for what happened. He lied about having led a non-violent life, forgetting all of the many cases of domestic abuse, which further showed his inability to accept responsibility (normally one of the criteria for release).  And he became angry when answering one of the Board members.  Yet, the Board somehow decided that his history of abuse against women was behind him and that he was now under control of his emotions, despite his outburst against the Board.

Some argue that his sentence was too severe, in light of the sentences (and non-sentence of one) of the other men involved.  If so,  that’s another reason our penal system needs to be reformed.

But so should how parole boards function–consistently, logically, and fairly for all.

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What Would You Do?

August 16, 2016 Comments Off on What Would You Do?

Let’s say that, based mostly on a “jailhouse snitch,” you were committed of a crime and sentenced to 40 years in prison.  But you didn’t do it.  And the “snitch” admitted he lied.  And the eye-witnesses admitted that they were wrong when they identified you.  In other words, all the evidence pointed to your innocence.  But nobody was doing anything to get you set free.

Then you were offered a deal: either spend an indeterminate amount of time–more long years–in prison awaiting a new trial or be released now, with time served and the conviction on your record.  Yes, a conviction, even though you’re not guilty.  You know your family is living in a homeless shelter and that you can be out there helping them and reuniting the family.  What would you choose?

That’s where Keith Cooper stood.  He chose freedom and his family. Now he wants and needs his record to be clear.  His prosecutor and the Indiana Parole Board have recommended a full pardon for him.  Indiana Governor (and V.P candidate) Mike Pence has sat on the request for pardon since March 2014–almost 2 1/2 years.

Obviously this is a flaw in our legal system, as this sort of thing is not uncommon. But something can be done for Keith Cooper.  Read a little more about this at the Change.org website and sign their petition to Gov. Pence to grant the pardon.

 

 

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