James Webb Shows Leadership Regarding Prison Reform
By John Aloysius Farrell, Thomas Jefferson Street blog
Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia has never been afraid to march to the beat of his own drum.
The decorated Vietnam War veteran who served as Secretary of the Navy under Ronald Reagan, then got elected to the Senate as a Democrat in 2006, has his own views on things, and his own way of stating them.
This week, the Washington Post noted how Webb's spirited support for prison reform is an unlikely cause for a politician from Virginia—which was known for much of the past 20 years as a get tough, hang-'em-high state when it came to criminal offenders. For a time, the commonwealth was right up there with Texas for its willingness to assign, and execute, the death penalty. I cannot imagine the issue of prison reform will win him many votes.
Webb raised the issue in the book on politics he released last year, during the subsequent promotion tour, and as the keynote speaker for a Brookings Institution forum on the topic in December. I can't do justice to the eloquence with which he makes the case but commend his words to you.
Webb should be congratulated. For those of us in Washington who sometimes forget what it looks like, this is called leadership.
- Read more by John Aloysius Farrell.
- Read more from the Thomas Jefferson Street blog.
- Read more about James Webb.
Tags: Senate | Jim Webb | leadership | prison sentences
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Reader Comments
It's Not Right
How many of you have been to jail and now how it feels? Jail is an experience that will change your life forever. In jail you learn how to become a better criminal. If you ask me you’re not helping these people when you keep sending them to jail. You give them a better chance in failing in life than succeeding. The people in jail have family and lives that are being wasted and destroyed. I’m not saying if you commit a crime you shouldn’t do the time. I’m just saying that we should lessen the sentence so these people can have the chance to change their lives around. This wouldn’t be for every crime but for heavy crimes like murder and such. It's not easy watching a loved one wither away in jail. To watch their soul weaken and their love for life fade. Their hope becomes frail. Just take a minute and walk in their shoes.
The box is completely backwards
Well gene from ca.
Being an ex con myself, working, living and surviving prison. Only a person like yourself wouldn't be aware that inmates work almost all day to day functions of each facilities. Plus are only paid about sixty cents a day and some places nothing. So your box idea with now civilian workforce would most definitely increase the budget. At the same time no facilities can afford all single cells. That would double the amount of prisons in the United states. So to anyone that thinks to just put people in a hole or box not only doesnt have there financial facts right. Thier not grasping the realisation of what type of person will mentally and emotionally come out after the sentence is over. It's easy to be unforgivable and harse toward inmates without seeing first hand what those HOLES/BOXES actually do. America's judgements toward others have gone to far. Violence and sexual predators is one thing, but alot of crimes dont deserve that treatment.
The Box...
I have a plan to solve almost all of the problems when it comes to prison, prison reform, budget, crime, punishment and the weak system that continues to put volent criminals back on the streets. My system is called the BOX. Every criminal that gets convicted gets put into a small room that has a bed, dresser, toilet, shower, chair and a small opening that can allow fresh air and light to come through and that is it. 3 meals go under the door daily. There is no violence or gangs or murder in the BOX, because there is no yard to go out to. If a prisoner wants excercise, they can do push-ups, sit-ups or run in place. If the prisoner wants things like magazines, cigarettes or a book to read, they can work in the BOX for it. There are all kinds of productive things that can be done for society from the BOX. There are not tattoo shops, no first class gyms, no gangs, no communication with other inmates. There is just the prisoner and himself. When murderers, rapists, pedifiles, violent criminals and anyone who uses a gun or weapon in a criminal act goes to the BOX, it's for the rest of their life. Others that commit crime such as using or selling drugs (example) they would go to the BOX for a certain period of time and then be released. My BOX system is a place that no one would ever want to have to go back to. My box system would not be expensive at all. It would be humain and safe for every prisoner. It would reduce crime, protect the innocent and reduce taxes. Most importantly, it would punish criminals.
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