Venezuelan Justice Minister says homicides decreased in '07 by 25%!

[Peace Patriot]

"Even though homicides in some states have increased in the past year, the Minister told the press Monday, the national total decreased from 763 to 573 over the course of 2007." --Justice Minister Ramón Rodríguez Chacín

http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/newsbrief/3401

Some anti-Chavez posters here at DU look for any item they can find to tear down Venezuela's scrupulously lawful, beneficial, democratically elected leftist government. One such poster recently gave us stats on the high homicide rate in Venezuela, without noting this dramatic decrease over the last year, which means that the Chavez government, and local departments and law enforcement agencies have been working hard on the problem. Every country has problems. Ours has the problem of a putrid justice system that has not only been politicized by the Bush Junta, but in which 75% of the people held in our prisons--prisons notorious for the prevalence of rape, overcrowding and other dehumanization--are there serving heavy sentences for non-violent crimes. Our justice system is a disaster--and that is not even to mention the horrors and utter lawlessness of prisons like Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay. Venezuela may have a homicide problem, but they are working on it. What are wedoing?

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In addition to decreasing the homicide rate by 25%, the Chavez government is launching a program to humanize Venezuelan prisons, with an emphasis on family ties, worker coops and rehab. While we punish the poor, often cruelly, for petty crimes, overly-criminalize our society, and engage in the barbaric practice state murder, Venezuela looks for solutions that will improve the lives of prisoners and give them the help they need to turn their lives around.

“'A large part of our effort in the jails is directed at the family,' the minister told the press Monday, explaining that in the new system families of inmates will be permitted to reside nearby and participate regularly in the lives of prisoners who qualify for such forms of rehabilitation.

"Also, the new prisons provide facilities for prisoners to set up cooperatives and socialist production projects in which their families may participate, 'always following the principle that those who go to jail are human beings who may be rehabilitated,' Chacín said." --ibid

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"...always following the principle that those who go to jail are human beings who may be rehabilitated."

It's enough to make me weep, it has been so long since I've heard a humane statement like this from our government officials and politicians. We are cursed with fascist government, which serves corporations who profit from prisons, as from the police state and military boondoggle that our government has become. In Venezuela, they have a government that was actually elected and it therefore has its priorities straight. It serves the people. Does ours?

We had best reform our own society, and democracy, before we pick out the flaws in others, who are making genuine and effective efforts at social justice.

And again I ask--as I did concerning the Chavez-proposed constitutional amendment guaranteeing equal rights for gays and women--what dictator, what tyrant, ever expressed concern for the humanity of prisoners? Chavez is only a tyrant if you think like Donald Rumsfeld...

"The Smart Way to Beat Tyrants Like Chávez," by Donald Rumsfeld, 12/1/07
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/30/AR2007113001800.html

[Joanne98]

1. Right on!!!!!

[Judi Lynn]

2. A more extreme contrast in goals for prisons could NOT be found on earth.

Our own system is outward bound: more and more prisons, more personel to staff them, more and more prisoners, harsher sentences for minor crimes, more extreme punishment, etc., etc. all of which leads to a more embittered, more desperate climate of fear, rage, suspicion of the government which allows the wealthy to escape the increasing harshness of prisons for the poorer classes.

Just heard someone quote Justice Ginsberg in the last two days who said that people who can afford really good lawyers NEVER get harsh murder convictions.

Then we've got the problem coming to light so late in the game of coverups which have been in place concerning actual TORTURE in prisons, like in Illinois, and the Chicago Police Department, etc., and throughout the South at various times.

Putting a national plan in place to work earnestly toward rehabilitation rather than revenge, and ultimate punishment on behalf of anal citizens is LIGHT YEARS away from here!

Wish them the best of luck. Maybe we'll get so lucky in fifty years or so.

[Judi Lynn]

3. Kicking this back to the front, for people who may have missed it. n/t

[magbana]

4. Thanks for your commentary

Peace Patriot, I very much appreciate your comments about the hypocrisy of this country (and some on this list) who denigrate Venezuela and Chavez yet can't see the huge failing of the US on just about every social-economic indicator. I agree with Joanne98 -- RIGHT ON!!!

[Judi Lynn]

5. I'd like to add I read very recently that there's a big SPILLOVER problem from Colombia's

horrendous narcotrafficking business, that it flows right into Venezuela and has become Venezuela's problem.

It's unpleasant knowing the U.S. has become the largest per capital prison population in the world. I really appreciate what you wrote about the fact so many of these sentences are leveled at people for non-violent crimes. It all adds up to "mo money, mo money, mo money" for the proliferating private prison industry.

[Zorro]

6. That would be welcome news

since it appears to have held pretty steady over the past 6 years.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_homicide_rate#2000s