THE PRO CRIME PARTY MOVEMENT IN CALIFORNIA

Give the criminals what they want –Float on, don’t worry

by Richard Krupp, PhD

PACOVILLA Corrections blog
February 17, 2014

After a number of legal maneuverings California citizens are floating down a path to greater criminal victimization. Given the ass-backwards position of many politicians, judges and lawyers, it is time to label them the Pro Crime Party. This party includes the judges involved in the nonsensical overcrowding/medical case that lead us to “Realignment,” Stephen Reinhardt, Thelton Henderson, and Lawrence Karlton. They think there are too many inmates in California prisons, but they don't want any inmates sent out of state. Wouldn't that reduce overcrowding? State Senator Darrell Steinberg would be a member of the Pro Crime party also. He is more interested in the care and comfort of criminals than law abiding citizens.

The spokesmen for the Pro Crime Party could be selected from the legal group representing inmates for several years. Don Spector and Michael Bein are always trying to figure out how to convince people to feel sorry for rapists, murderers, and thieves. Recent news articles lend some support to my position.

Wall Street Journal February 11, 2014, State Wins Delay on Prisoner Numbers:

A panel of three federal judges gave California a temporary reprieve on a mandate to ease prison overcrowding allowing the state two more years to shed nearly 6,000 prisoners.

“The state now has the time and resources necessary to help inmates become productive members of society and make our communities safer, according to Governor Brown.

Don Spector said, “We believe that delaying overcrowding for two more years will result in more suffering and death for prisoners who must endure these conditions.”

The judges were reluctant, but issued the delay because the State agreed to move up parole consideration for some nonviolent offenders and install a court appointed overseer with the power to release prisoners if the state doesn't meet population goals. the judges also ordered the state to stop sending inmates out of state.

I'm not sure how Governor Brown plans to cure the criminals, but it must involve some special powers or magic. Spector must not have read the study showing criminals have lower death rates in prison than out. The real poison pill in the two year delay is the overseer releasing inmates. This does give the Governor and the legislature a good scapegoat.

Sacramento Bee February 11, 2014, Court OKs prison delay:

Don Spector has not decided whether to appeal the decision to the US Supreme Court. Michael Bein said the deadline extension is dangerous and unjustified. The violations (of previous court orders) are so extreme that it is dangerous to do this. People are dying all the time.

In what Bizzaro world is it dangerous to keep criminals in prison and not in the community? Only the Pro Crime Party members can explain this. Maybe they are suffering from some personality disorder.

How far can the Pro Crime Party take this movement in California? Washington D.C. has a more advanced Pro Crime Party movement that may provide a peek into the future for California.

According to the website, Offgrid Survival:

With violent crime left virtually unchecked, Washington D.C. Residents are looking for ways to protect themselves. Washington D.C. is a notoriously Anti-Gun city with some of the country’s most oppressive firearms laws. In fact, the loopholes and regulations in D.C. make it almost impossible for a law-abiding citizen to own a gun.

In a meeting that was open to the public last week, D.C. residents showed up to ask Council members why the city makes it so difficult for law-abiding residents to register guns. They also wanted to know why the city refuses to allow them to carry weapons outside of their homes.

Paul Quander, the District's deputy mayor for public safety and justice, told the crowd that “crime victims should give the criminals what they want.”

He then went on to tell them how becoming a victim is preferable to self-defense. “The problem is, if you were armed, it escalates the situation. It is much better, in my opinion, to be scared, to be frightened, and even if you have to be, to be injured, but to walk away and survive. You'll heal and you can replace whatever was taken away.”

I suppose if you just give criminals what they want it might not even be a crime, just a voluntary gift. What a brilliant idea. Crime without crime. Personally I feel this Pro Crime movement should be crushed. I don't care if criminals are uncomfortable when they are locked up. If it's uncomfortable enough they may decide not to go back to prison. If you believe the recidivism rate nonsense more than a third of the people who go to prison once, do not return. Maybe they found prison too uncomfortable.

Here are some lyrics from the song, Float On by the band Modest Mouse to help with the new way of looking at the situation we face:

I backed my car into a cop car, the other day.
Well he just drove off, sometimes life's ok.

A fake Jamaican took every last dime with a scam.
It was worth it just to learn some sleight-of-hand.

Bad news comes don't you worry even when it lands.
Good news will work its way to all them plans.
We both got fired on exactly the same day.
Well we'll float on good news is on the way.

No, don't you worry, we'll all float on.
Alright, already, we'll all float on.
Alright, don't worry, we'll all float on.