Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Criminal Law Blogs -> Sentencing Law and Policy

Criminal Law

: Sentencing Law and Policy

"Smart Answers to Recidivism"

By Douglas A. Berman

The title of this post is the headline of this notable New York Times editorial.  Here are excerpts: Faced with soaring prison costs, states are finally focusing on policies that would help former prisoners stay out of jail after they are released. Some legislatures are reshaping laws that land parolees back inside for technical violations that should be dealt with on the outside. More than a dozen cities and counties have taken steps that make it easier for qualified ex-offenders to land government jobs, except in education and law enforcement and other sensitive areas from which people with convictions are normally barred by law. Still, the nation as a whole needs to do much more about laws that marginalize former offenders ? and often drive them back to jail ? by denying them voting rights, parental rights, drivers licenses and access to public housing, welfare and food stamps, even in cases where they have led blameless lives after prison...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on December 26, 2009 (boomark / email).