I’ve worked for years in the criminal justice system and have seen how our prisons in the U.S. have filled to over-flowing.  Our country now puts more people in prison than any other country in the world except Russia and Iran.  It’s time that we should release prisoners.

Does this sound odd?  Scary?  Irresponsible?  Especially, in light of FBI statistics that show a decreased in violent crime since the 80s, why are we increasing our prison population?

The time has come to release our prisoners.  Here’s why:

1.  Many of the offenders are in prison because of low-level drug offenses.  Since our “war on drugs” started in the 70s, we have spent millions (billions?), imprisoned thousands, and we still have a drug problem.  Rarely, are the top king-pins of drug rings captured, convicted, and imprisoned.  Instead, it’s the low level offenders who often are no more guilty of anything than possessing illegal drugs.  We should release our prisoners like these people.
2. Politicians in the 80s passed laws like California did:  “three strikes and you’re out.”  It meant after your third felony conviction, you automatically went to prison.  I’m not defending criminals with felony convictions, but the effect of this rigid approach was to incarcerate people who may have committed three non-violent crimes.  I’m not saying they should walk away without punishment, but probation and some time in jail may fit the offense better and be more fair than going to prison.
3. After working with youthful offenders (18+ years old), I’ve learned they think going to prison is a badge of respect in their communities.  Worse, most prisons don’t have the programs or facilities to rehabilitate these young offenders—they come out worse than before they went in.  Older criminals can teach them how to be badder.
4. It’s expensive.  Now that our prison population is aging, the number of hip replacement, dialysis treatments, cataract eye surgeries, and other old-age problems are costing taxpayers millions of dollars.  It’s been shown that for low-level offenders they will probably stay out of trouble if closely supervised on probation—and also save the public the costs of keeping them locked up.  We should release prisoners like this.

I know many people disagree with me but I’ve worked in the criminal justice system.  I’ve seen what prison does to young people.  Believe me, we don’t want them learning how to be better and tougher criminals.  Let’s look at the research and recognize that prisons are not the best way to deal with low-level offenders.  We should release prisoners like these.