Issues: Crime
National crime rates continue to climb in spite of burgeoning prison populations. We need new programs and better support for those already caught in the cycle of crime in our nation.
Proposed Solutions
I propose several expanded programs aimed at helping alleviate crime as an issue in our country. In such alleviation, we increase the number of productive citizens in the country.
- Install drug and alcohol treatment programs in every prison. Active attendance and involvement in these programs should be a requirement for any probation or early release of prisoners.
- More equitable systems for handing the justice system are needed. Today a rich person with the right contacts is able to escape with a much lighter sentence in general than are the poor and underprivileged. Justice should be a right of every human being in this country. Strengthened public defender programs are necessary. Every defendant has a right to the best legal defense available in this country today.
- End the death penalty in this country. The United States stands as one of the last large countries around the world with a death penalty still in place. Many studies over time have shown the ineffectiveness of the death penalty as a crime deterrent. The time has come to end this penalty and for the United States to take a lead in the world for abolishing the death penalty worldwide.
- Expand and strengthen job training and education programs for ex-offenders. Job training for marketable skills and placement services are needed for all leaving the criminal justice system. Placement into these programs should occur on day one of freedom. In addition recently released prisoners must be given housing opportunities to avoid homelessness. Mental health treatment for current prisoners as well as for those released persons needing this care must be provided. Education to the level of GED (high school equivalence degree) at least should be promoted or even required as a condition of early release or parole. Recidivism is much lower in released persons with a GED already in hand.
A New Approach is Needed
Until and unless crime is addressed from the source and treated as the social ill it represents, we may have trouble resolving the issue. We must increase all the current programs and add new ones to relieve the problem. The country cannot continue to build and populate prisons without end. Bringing criminals back into the system for a productive life is a much better solution for all of society.
How You Can Help
Please consider volunteering for my campaign and making a donation. If you would prefer to mail a check in any amount (Federal maximum is $2300), please send it to PO Box 7987, Wilmington, DE 19803.
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