"We can’t be a perpetually punitive society”: Connecticut governor proposes criminal justice reforms

[DonViejo]

Dannel Malloy unveils "second chance society" initiatives in Yale Law School speech

LUKE BRINKER

Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy on Tuesday proposed a set of major criminal justice reforms, calling for an end to mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent drug possession and urging state lawmakers to foster a “second chance society.”

Speaking at Yale Law School, the Democrat laid out proposals in five major areas. In addition to abolishing mandatory minimums for drug possession, the governor backed legislation to reclassify nonviolent drug offenses as misdemeanors, provided there is no intent to sell; streamline parole hearings to expedite the cases of low-risk inmates; speed up the pardons process for nonviolent ex-offenders; and invest in housing and employment opportunities for former inmates. The proposals mirror reforms adopted in a politically diverse crop of states, including South Carolina, New York, Arkansas, and California.

“These initiatives build upon the progress we’ve made in recent years reducing crime rates across Connecticut,” Malloy said, citing statistics indicating that the state’s crime level is at a 48-year low.

Connecticut’s prison population now numbers 16,300, its lowest level in 16 years.

more
http://www.salon.com/2015/02/04/we_can%E2%80%99t_be_a_perpetually_punitive_society_connecticut_governor_proposes_criminal_justice_reforms/

[daleanime]

1. It's a start...

[CTyankee]

2. Proud to have him as our governor. Proud to have worked on his campaign as a

volunteer and help vote him into another term. I like him a lot...

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

3. I'd like to see more proportionality in sentencing.

If you do something that hurts one person, your sentence should be far lighter than that of someone who hurts thousands.

If you destroy the life of one person, your sentence should be far lighter than that of someone who destroys the lives of thousands.

Ie, some 'white collar crime' deserves far harsher penalties. If you 'mug' a lot of people through fraud or embezzlement, you should spend more time in jail than someone who gets caught mugging one person.

If you create a situation that leaves thousands of animals dead through an oil spill, your punishment should be far harsher than that that faces a person who kills a pet or farm animal.

No more letting companies simply pay 'fines' for actions that would leave individuals who aren't executives in jail for years.