The new class of criminal, the “Nons” - Non-serious, non-violent…almost non-criminal
By Richard Krupp, PhD
PACOVILLA Corrections blog
December 1, 2015
As part of Jerry Brown’s get-out-of-prison-early scheme, some “Second Strikers” caught the high-speed rail to freedom this year.
Of course they were the new class of criminal, the “Non’s”—Non-serious, non-violent…almost “non-criminal.”
Portrayed as unfortunate pizza thieves or drunk drivers; the prison doors were cracked open to let these poor unfortunates who were caught up in a previous mean-spirited time when informed people were not aware of the lack of criminality these people possessed.
Judges, politicians, and media experts were able to correct these wrongs that seemed part of the dark ages. It was a new “enlightened” trend.
Certain that releasing these Second Strike Non’s would not harm but help the communities, the progressive reformers moved onward.
Of course academicians would be able to provide the evidence to support these oddball theories and wiser practices would win out. Unfortunately, it does not appear that all the pieces to the puzzle fit together very well.
Maybe there is a design flaw? Maybe this scheme is not working. What do the trends tell us?
A recent editorial from the usually pro-crime Sacramento Bee lamented the release of Second Strike Non’s. Here are some excerpts:
State, judges should rethink early release of some felons
As reported by The Sacramento Bee’s Darrell Smith last week, nearly 1,100 supposedly nonviolent inmates who had been convicted of at least one prior serious felony were approved for early release in the first nine months of the year by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Under a procedure in place since January, prison authorities give Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert, like prosecutors in all counties, 30-day notices about pending releases. She can write letters opposing the release but can’t make her case in person, or appeal.
Clearly frustrated, Schubert has begun posting on her website letters her deputies have written opposing the releases. Other prosecutors should follow her lead, and the judges should rethink the November 2014 edict that may end up endangering the public with its zeal.
Consider, for example, Willie C. Harris, in prison for seven drunken driving convictions. In a letter to prison officials, Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney Robin B. Shakely warned that “there is little doubt that once Harris is free, he will pick up a bottle and drink and drive, yet again.”
True to form, Harris, having been released May 9, was rearrested on suspicion of driving under the influence on June 5.
Altogether, the state has released 17 felons back to Sacramento County under this particular program. Five, including Harris, have been rearrested. Dozens more are scheduled to be released.
The inmates are classified as “nonviolent second strikers.” What the rest of us might consider a nonviolent crime probably wouldn’t jibe with the law’s view of violence.
One woman listed on Schubert’s website, for example, had stabbed two people and was beating a man when police arrested her, according to the letter prepared by one of Schubert’s deputies.
All the inmates covered by the judges’ order will be released at some point. But based on Schubert’s sampling, the longer many of these second strikers remain locked up, the safer the rest of us will be. (for full story read http://tinyurl.com/qxp94zj.)
As these get out of prison early schemes continue to fall apart, the scrutiny of the affected public increases. Unfortunately the number of victims increase and the financial costs pile up as well. We just can’t seem to move on.
The authorities who are driving the car off the road of sound reasoning are going to continue until the wheels fly off. Some of you may not see the end of this nightmare, but the end is coming.
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