Prison Reform??

From time to time the subject of prison reform comes up on the political radar, here in Illinois. Usually from the left, the angle is to provide more “benefits” for the inmates. The type of reform we do not need is Governor Quinn’s early release of thousands of prisoners. Nor do we need to house Gitmo enemy combatants in the Thomson Correctional Center.

Governor Quinn’s decision to grant early release to thousands of inmates is a slap in the face to law enforcement officials that built cases against these criminals. It is also a middle finger in the face of the jurors and the judges that sentenced them. If you do the crime you should do the time. Not get an early release because of supposed overcrowding.

The sale of the Level 1 (maximum security) Thomson Correctional Center to the feds should be allowed to go through. The state has not been able to fund this facility nor can it. Illinois needs the dough. Sell it to the feds, but they can keep the terrorists. To see Little Dicky Durbin standing side by side with Governor Quinn, poo pooing the Illinois Congressional delegations concern over moving the terrorists from Gitmo to Northern Illinois was a sight to behold. Little Dicky, who has called our troops unmentionable names wants to give quarter to individuals who would surely shoot our troops, given the chance. This guy is a blowhard, “joke” of a US Senator.

If there is such overcrowding in Illinois prisons, build more prisons. Yes, I know, Illinois doesn’t have the money. Find the money. De-fund all the unnecessary programs that exist and the discretionary funds provided to various state agencies. The state needs to prioritize its spending. It is far better to keep criminals off the street and families safe, then it is to fund some special artsy fartsy project.

Here are a few ideas for restructuring our states prison system.
(1) Build a level 4 (medium security) correctional center in the City of Chicago to relieve some of the overcrowding. There are plenty of areas in the city in which to build as more and more manufacturing companies bail out of the city. One site that comes to mind is the 17-acre site that RTC, a plastics corporation, will be vacating soon. It is located in the South Lawndale neighborhood.
(2) Begin to separate the prisoners by assigning them to prisons that house criminals with like offenses (i.e.: Murders Row; Robbers, Burglars, and Thieves; Gangland; etc.)
(3) Those convicted of minor drug offenses should be given a choice by the Judge of going to a “boot camp” type rehab facility or one of the Level 7 (low minimum security) work camp or correctional center.
(4) A separate facility might house those convicted of unlawful discharge of a firearm with intent to harm. Such a criminal act should get an automatic 25-year sentence.

Prison reform involves a lot more than letting prisoners loose before they serve their full amount of time or selling a prison to the feds. It will involve hard work and innovative solutions to get the job done. Hopefully the next Governor of Illinois can roll up his sleeves and get the job done. Making the state of Illinois safer for all law-abiding citizens should be a top priority.