It was reported on the local news this morning. An Episcopal bishop that was convicted of DWI was sentenced to seven years. She had struck and killed a bicyclist and left the scene of that accident. I remembered that case because of those circumstances. Now it is reported she will be released early for good behavior. It has been about three and half years. There are outcries from the family and others about this. I join in those cries. There is no early release from the pain of losing a loved one, and certainly no early release from death !
I do not support this policy of release for good behavior. In my view good behavior should be rewarded with being released on the date originally assigned by the judge. Causing trouble and creating disciplinary issues should extend your sentence! Good behavior is a requirement to your sentence being fulfilled. Yes it's true that she hasn't driven a vehicle while intoxicated or run anyone over, that's because she is in jail! Is that good behavior? She is a bishop, so I have to assume she wasn't a real troublemaker in the first place. It's apparent she enjoyed a drink or two, not the first minister I've heard that enjoys that. The thing is, she was drunk, ran a man over, and drove off. Her occupation should play no role in her sentencing which it evidently did not. She was given seven years. I believe that to be a fair judgement. In fact, more than fair. I also believe she should have to serve the entire sentence.
Well I'm just not much on rewarding prisoners. They are in prison for their behaviors. Just because they " behave " themselves in a structured environment is no reason to reward them. The reward should be, you get out on time! If we are to judge them, give them a sentence for their crime, what sense does it make to then change that sentence? I mean, has anything changed? No, whatever crime the person committed remains. You can't take that back or shorten that. Can you shorten the grief or injury of the one the crime was perpetrated against? Does this prisoners " good behavior " do anything for the victims? No, the only one benefiting is the criminal. The object of a penal system is to penalize, not reward!
I do not support this policy of release for good behavior. In my view good behavior should be rewarded with being released on the date originally assigned by the judge. Causing trouble and creating disciplinary issues should extend your sentence! Good behavior is a requirement to your sentence being fulfilled. Yes it's true that she hasn't driven a vehicle while intoxicated or run anyone over, that's because she is in jail! Is that good behavior? She is a bishop, so I have to assume she wasn't a real troublemaker in the first place. It's apparent she enjoyed a drink or two, not the first minister I've heard that enjoys that. The thing is, she was drunk, ran a man over, and drove off. Her occupation should play no role in her sentencing which it evidently did not. She was given seven years. I believe that to be a fair judgement. In fact, more than fair. I also believe she should have to serve the entire sentence.
Well I'm just not much on rewarding prisoners. They are in prison for their behaviors. Just because they " behave " themselves in a structured environment is no reason to reward them. The reward should be, you get out on time! If we are to judge them, give them a sentence for their crime, what sense does it make to then change that sentence? I mean, has anything changed? No, whatever crime the person committed remains. You can't take that back or shorten that. Can you shorten the grief or injury of the one the crime was perpetrated against? Does this prisoners " good behavior " do anything for the victims? No, the only one benefiting is the criminal. The object of a penal system is to penalize, not reward!
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