Hundreds of NY Drug Prisoners May Be Resentenced

[FUCK THE POLICE]

http://www.talkleft.com/story/2009/3/28/81838/0278

Hundreds of NY Drug Prisoners May Be Resentenced
By TChris, Section Legislation

As Jeralyn discussed Thursday, an agreement between the New York legislature and Gov. David Paterson will finally reform the state's Rockefeller-era drug laws. At the time of Jeralyn's post, the relief that the legislation would provide to drug offenders currently serving sentences was unclear.

Although some language in the new law is still being negotiated, the governor announced yesterday that the legislation will enable hundreds of prisoners to seek resentencing. It appears that the resentencing options include treatment in lieu of continued incarceration.

Prosecutors -- who will lose the power they now hold to decide whether a drug offender will receive a lengthy sentence by charging crimes that have mandatory minimums -- are complaining that judges shouldn't have the option of sending repeat offenders to treatment instead of incarcerating them. [more ...]

“If you let someone who has five prior convictions into treatment over the prosecutor’s objections, that’s really symbolic of a revolving door,” said Bridget G. Brennan, the special narcotics prosecutor for New York City. “We’re worried that this will permit endless cycles of meaningless and expensive treatment.”

How arrogant is that? Brennan's argument is that prosecutors are more capable than judges of deciding whether a particular defendant deserves a chance at treatment rather than incarceration. Isn't she familiar with the concept of separation of powers? Her job is to prosecute. The judge's job is to sentence.

As Jeralyn's post notes, what Brennan perceives as a "revolving door" and "endless cycles" of treatment is the reality of rehab programs. They don't always work, and when they do, it takes time for people to change. Relapses are an expected part of treatment; they aren't a sign of failed treatment. Judges who understand that reality know that relapses are not a reason to incarcerate.

 

[Mott the Hoople]

http://www.talkleft.com/story/2009/3/28/81838/0278

Hundreds of NY Drug Prisoners May Be Resentenced
By TChris, Section Legislation

As Jeralyn discussed Thursday, an agreement between the New York legislature and Gov. David Paterson will finally reform the state's Rockefeller-era drug laws. At the time of Jeralyn's post, the relief that the legislation would provide to drug offenders currently serving sentences was unclear.

Although some language in the new law is still being negotiated, the governor announced yesterday that the legislation will enable hundreds of prisoners to seek resentencing. It appears that the resentencing options include treatment in lieu of continued incarceration.

Prosecutors -- who will lose the power they now hold to decide whether a drug offender will receive a lengthy sentence by charging crimes that have mandatory minimums -- are complaining that judges shouldn't have the option of sending repeat offenders to treatment instead of incarcerating them. [more ...]

“If you let someone who has five prior convictions into treatment over the prosecutor’s objections, that’s really symbolic of a revolving door,” said Bridget G. Brennan, the special narcotics prosecutor for New York City. “We’re worried that this will permit endless cycles of meaningless and expensive treatment.”

How arrogant is that? Brennan's argument is that prosecutors are more capable than judges of deciding whether a particular defendant deserves a chance at treatment rather than incarceration. Isn't she familiar with the concept of separation of powers? Her job is to prosecute. The judge's job is to sentence.

As Jeralyn's post notes, what Brennan perceives as a "revolving door" and "endless cycles" of treatment is the reality of rehab programs. They don't always work, and when they do, it takes time for people to change. Relapses are an expected part of treatment; they aren't a sign of failed treatment. Judges who understand that reality know that relapses are not a reason to incarcerate.

Rehab may be a costly revolving door but it cost a hell of a lot less then sending them to prison. Brennan's argument is a bonehead argument. It makes you wonder how she got through law school when she flunked basic math.

 

[Topspin]

shit prosecutors spent millions under Ashcroft to put Chong in jail for a pipe.
Fuck that, let the brothers out.

 

[tinfoil]

Rehab may be a costly revolving door but it cost a hell of a lot less then sending them to prison. Brennan's argument is a bonehead argument. It makes you wonder how she got through law school when she flunked basic math.

did you forget the cost to community (the victims of repeat offenders)?
Typical
You only see what you want to.
It's hard to expalin it to someone like you when you ignore the costs of criminal acts
In short. pull your head out of your ass, moron.

 

[FUCK THE POLICE]

did you forget the cost to community (the victims of repeat offenders)?
Typical
You only see what you want to.
It's hard to expalin it to someone like you when you ignore the costs of criminal acts
In short. pull your head out of your ass, moron.

The costs of criminal acts?

I doubt that many people who are sentenced to typical extreme American-style sentences incur 50k in criminal damages a year. Only a conservative could do that. But the cost of a drug offender to society? Nothing. Nothing besides our efforts to prosecute them, that is. Pull your head out of your ass, moron.

Read the thread next time. Stay on topic.

Typical.