Currently, the federal penal system does not have parole, though they do allow good time release. An offender is sentenced, say to 5 years, but then are sentenced to an additional 2 years of community supervision upon release. This is because there is real value in having a “parole officer” there to supervise and assist the offender in making the transition from inmate to freeman. However, it’s not very efficient. Allowing parole incorporates the community supervision/ adjustment period into the sentence, which reduces incarceration costs. There are also many ways to supervise offenders in the community using technology that is not only more cost effective, but it also has been proven to be more impactful, lower rates of recidivism. Granted, there is always going to be those that need to be incarcerated, but that should be for repeat and dangerous/ violent offenders.
We should bring back the death penalty for hardened criminals, and for God’s sake use it in the states that already have it! Stop with 20/30 or more years on death row. One appeal should be the limit. Time to get tough!
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