I’ve spent some time in a courtroom – not because of any illegal activity on my part, but as a reporter for various newspapers. The judicial system is a very important part of our society, and it’s vital for governments to not only protect its citizens, but also to create a criminal justice system that is more than just incarceration and punishment.
However, in my experience watching the justice system work, I’ve seen places where it doesn’t actually benefit society. And in my mind, one of the biggest disservices our justice system does is its overreaction to non-violent crimes.
Before I go on, let me say two things. One, I don’t support the idea of lowering standards just so our numbers look better. For instance, if grades seem to be slipping, let’s not suddenly decide that a D grade is still passing. Two, I don’t use illegal drugs, I have never used illegal drugs, and I have no desire or intention to ever use illegal drugs.
All of that being said – the criminal punishment we dish out to people on drug-related charges is, well, criminal. I’m not talking about people who drive drunk or rob banks or assault others; I’m talking about adults who, through their own desires, have decided to use illegal drugs. Depending on where you live, you can spend years in jail having never harmed anyone but yourself.
Many of the individuals I saw back in front of the judge weren’t arrested because they hurt someone or because they stole something, but because they didn’t pass a drug test. They had found a good job they were maintaining, they were supporting their families, and they were integrating back into society. The justice system doesn’t really seem to be doing them any favors by ripping them out of that progress and throwing them back behind bars.
So in addition to the vocational training and business-skills building we do, perhaps we can stop equating drug possession with aggravated assault. Again, I’m not advocating drug use or anything of the sort; however, if judges and D.A.’s weren’t so bent on busting criminals that aren’t doing any harm, those recidivism rates may drop just a bit.
