More cautionary tales from the US

The US-based research and advocacy organization The Sentencing Project has just released a report called No Exit: The Expanding Use of Life Sentences in America. They summarize their findings as follows:

While persons serving life sentences include those who present a serious threat to public safety, they also include those for whom the length of sentence is questionable. In particular, life without parole sentences often represent a misuse of limited correctional resources and discount the capacity for personal growth and rehabilitation that comes with the passage of time. This report challenges the supposition that all life sentences are necessary to keep the public safe, compared to a term of fewer years. We conclude with recommendations for changes in law, policy and practice which would, if adopted, address the principal deficiencies in the sentencing of people to life in prison.

Jul 29, 2009 Human Rights, Country:USA

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It's not okay

By Lisa Rea

I have worked as an advocate for restorative justice and criminal justice reform working with both offenders, and their families, through Justice Fellowship as its state director in California in the 1990's, and then working with victims of violent of crime through the creation of The Justice & Reconciliation Project (JRP), a national nonprofit seeking to provide a forum for victims to tell their stories.  I can tell you I have seen crime from both perspectives. Advocates who represent victims and advocates who represent prisoners would both agree on one thing: prison rape is never okay. That is why the actions of a federal prison rape commission are so important.

Jul 02, 2009 Human Rights, Correspondent:Lisa Rea

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