Low-level criminals should not be released from jail.

In todays society, going to jail is the only consequence that keeps people from

committing crimes. What message are we sending to the citizens of our country if we

start releasing these criminal offenders? Criminals live lives of crime and if you release

these low-level criminals back into society they are just going to commit more crime.

People say that our prisons are overcrowded and that we need to make more room. I

believe that this is no reason to let dangerous people back onto the street. Our justice

system only sentences people who are deserving of being sentenced. Running out of

room in our prisons is not a good reason to start releasing these criminals who were found

guilty.

Studies show that 68% of low-level criminals in jail today are repeat offenders

(Percent of released). Meaning that over two thirds of the people who are released from

prison end up committing another crime and going back to prison. This is a number we

should be reducing, and commuting their sentences would only make this number

increase. Many people believe that the crimes these people are committing are petty

crimes. I dont believe that breaking and entering, theft, or drug use are petty crimes.

These crimes lead to more serious criminal activity. How many times have you heard a

news story about a robbery that had gone bad? A woman walks downstairs to find a man

robbing her home and after a struggle the women ends up dead. These are the types of

criminals that are being released. These criminals are dangerous and need to be locked

away.

Casual drug users are another type of criminal who are being released early from

their sentence (Study shows). These people need help. Drugs are addictive and
someone who is just thrown back out onto the street does not have a great chance of

succeeding. Drug users need rehab and support. Without that they have no chance at

getting back to a normal life. These people can also greatly affect the community which

they live in. It has been well documented that many drug users who are struggling

financially will resort to selling drugs. This will especially hurt the teenagers in a

community if their neighbor is willing to sell them drugs for extra cash.

Low-level released criminals are statistically more likely to commit crime then

any other person in society (Study shows). More criminals on the street will cause

havoc for the police force in areas of high crime. Police are meant to protect the people of

a community. Their job is hard enough. There is no reason that it should be made harder.

New York City attempted to help its police officers by employing the broken windows

theory.

The broken windows theory says that by maintaining order in urban cities and

cracking down on petty crime, order and lawfulness will be created. James Wilson and

George Kelling, two social scientists, introduced this theory (Broken Windows). This is

the only way to make sure our streets and families are safe from criminals and letting

convicted men and women back onto the streets will only make our society and

communities more dangerous.

Improving Our Justice System

 In the final go around for our 45th president Barack Obama has his eyes set on

changing an ongoing issue for America. Our prisons are overstocked with citizens who

have given up much of their lives. While many of these citizens are deserving of their

sentences Obama has zoned in on one specific area he feels deserves to be given a second

chance. This group being allowed clemency applications is specified to Low level drug

dealers with non-violent histories (Yuhas). Weve seen this in the past towards the end

of Presidencies. Bill Clinton on the last day in office pardoned over 450 prisoners.

Similarly enough, Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter both pardoned around 500 prisoners

during their terms. Politically speaking weve seen both parties use this tactic in an

attempt to try and save our justice system.

Both sides of the political spectrum agree that our justice system is failing; both

sides have given ideas of possible ways that could help change this. President Obama

feels that many prisoners facing long drug non violent sentences would be released by

now had they done the crime with todays laws (Baker). The president approached the

situation with strong pathos. He tried to connect to the doubtful audiences emotions. His

passion for this Executive Action is clearly evident in this statement made on July 13th.

"Now it is up to you to make the most of this opportunity. It will not be easy, and you

will encounter many who doubt that people with criminal records can change," Obama

wrote. "I believe in your ability to prove the doubters wrong." This quote made me think

back to the late great Malcolm X. The man was thrown in jail for assault charges, served

his time and came out a changed man. A man that would lead one of the most important

movements in American history. This Executive Action by President Obama shows that
this can be a positive solution not only economically, but also for the struggling minority

community.

Cory Booker a liberal advocate for the reform says For the minority community

this is a matter of life or death, a matter of having the American dream or being denied

it. At the same time, many Conservatives are happy with the decision. The estimated

cost of keeping a person incarcerated is $30,000 a year (Neyfakh). Taking that off the

books will be an excellent way to grow the economy. Both the Democratic and

Republican parties agree that this is an important process in improving our Justice

system. Only time will tell if the President's decision pays off.
 Works Cited

Baker, Peter. "Obama Plans Broader Use of Clemency to Free Nonviolent Drug

Offenders." The New York Times. The New York Times, 03 July 2015. Web. 24

July 2015.

"Broken Windows Policing." Center for EvidenceBased Crime Policy. N.p., n.d. Web. 22

July 2015.

Neyfakh, Leon. "Supporting Prison Reform Is Easy. Deciding Which Prisoners to Set

Free Is a Lot, Lot Harder." Slate.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 July 2015.

"Percent of Released Prisoners Returning to Incarceration." Crime in AmericaNet. N.p.,

29 Sept. 2010. Web. 22 July 2015.

"Study Shows High Number of Low-level Felons Are Repeat Offenders." News and

Tribune. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 July 2015.

Yuhas, Alan. "Obama Cites 'justice and Redemption' in Call for Comprehensive Prison

Reform." Theguardian.com. The Guardian, n.d. Web.