When we think of people being give a life sentence, we assume it to be a person convicted of murder or another overly violent type of crime. However according to recent studies there is an increasing number of people being given such sentences for non-violent offenses.
Currently in prison on a sentence of "Life without the possibility of parole" are people convicted to trying to sell $10 of marijuana, sharing LSD at a Grateful Dead concert, and even for siphoning gas from a truck! (NYtimes) As of 2012 there were over 3,200 people serving a life sentence for such crimes... how is this possible? Some states have what is called "3-strike" laws. If a person is convicted of three separate felonies, the judge has no choice but to give them a life sentence. These so-called "mandatory minimum" laws do not allow judges any leeway in what a convict is given as a punishment. It is estimated that those currently serving life sentences for non-violent crimes will cost tax payers a total of more than 1 billion dollars. Burl Cain, the warden of Louisiana State Penitentiary, claims that the purpose of the Department of Corrections is to correct behavior, not house petty criminals for life... m
Kaitlyn Pereira Period 1
11/17/2013 10:58:16 pm
Honestly, I think this should be fixed. Some prisons are filled to the brim. They have to shorten sentences. This is very risky. They do not know what the person will do once they are out. This needs to be looked at more. Some of those examples are stupid ways to get into jail, but they aren't that bad. They shouldn't have to have a life sentence. Maybe 3 months or more in jail and parole. Life sentence should be reserved for the more serious crimes.
Jacob Zuller
11/18/2013 03:05:25 am
The three strike rule sounds like a good idea at first, but prisons are always full so why should there be people there for life just for selling weed. Obviously the people after three times in jail have not learned their lesson so maybe have them patrolled at all times for the rest of their life like a daily check in to make sure they are not doing anything illegal.
Noah Chauvin Period 2
11/18/2013 04:49:10 am
I think that people who sold weed and siphoned gas should get punished but, not life sentences. The prisons are filled with people, probably overfilled. We should have people serve smaller sentences or pay a fine instead of life. Life sentence should be for murders, and kidnappers, and rapers.
Matthew Coughlin period 4
11/18/2013 08:35:49 pm
In my opinion, selling weed and other drugs should not be a life sentence in prison. Should you be punished? Of course you should be punished. Prisons are already filled to the brim with people that actually belong in there for life with things such as murder, rape and other felonies.
Eddie Cascella- Period 1
11/18/2013 08:52:40 pm
I think it is very odd to lock someone up for life for selling a bag of marijuana. I know it is illegal to do, and is not good, but someone should not be punished for life for doing it. The prisons are already overflowing with inmates as it is, we do not need anymore people in prisons for life for committing a small crime. People who murder and rape should be the ones in prison for life.
Katelyn Martino Period 1
11/18/2013 10:48:18 pm
This blog is based on information i didnt really know and it confuses me. I understand that marijuana is illegal and people sould not be selling it or possessing it but i think that a life sentence for selling a small amount of it is crazy. i can see a life sentence for a big crime or a few mild cimes but sometimes i wonder why they punish people for so long for such a small crime
Adoria
11/19/2013 03:18:45 am
I think they need to re-write this '3 strike policy.' It is ridiculous that people with 3 marijuana charges are in jail for life. They need to re-write it. That law should only stand for people with charges such as murder or and severe crime. Not a simple one like drugs.
Jin Zhang Period 3
11/19/2013 04:15:22 am
I think that this whole thing is absurd. While yes, people should be punished for doing the wrong things, I do not see how these minor offenses are not enough to warrant a life sentence. Make them do community service, not live off of America's tax dollars. The purpose of jail should be to keep dangerous people off the streets, not to suck up resources. If the government is just going to allow this, then shame on them. That one billion dollars could be put towards more important things such as education, environmental protection, or benefits for the elderly.
Kyle McElroy
11/19/2013 06:21:33 am
I don't see how someone who has committed 3 felonies at separate times should be arrested for life. Think about it; its easy for the legislators of the states to say that they should have a life sentence for it but with a bit of empathy you can see that, even though multiple crimes have been committed, those people clearly don't deserve to spend most of their lives in prison. I think that prisons need to work on reform for these people and most others. It would be a lot more empathetic to let those people know the error of their ways and to help them stay on the right track.
Nicole Gauthier Period 3
11/19/2013 11:01:18 am
For several reasons, the idea of a three strike law is beneficial. It provides a fix for our system, which has proven its imperfections, by jailing repeat offenders who could have gotten away with crimes due to mistrial, plea bargains, or just a wrong acquittal. However, the strike law becomes flawed when it encompasses all criminals in a one-size-fits-all consequence system. No one in their right mind would say that petty criminals, like trivial theft, deserve to be subjected to this law. It is crimes that create victims that must be subjected.
Morgan Almon-Period 4
11/20/2013 12:30:47 am
i think that people that do drugs and sell them should be punished. the man that is in jail, deserves to be in jail but not for his whole life. I think that it should be at least 2 years in prison for doing drugs or selling them. that is my opinion on the subject.
Jeffrey Perreault P1
11/20/2013 12:37:04 am
The 3 strike rule is an ok plan, but under certain circumstances. If the first felony is serious then instant punishment should be the answer. However, it is three small felonies, if that makes sense, then the three strike rule would be effective. Selling drugs should not be considered a felony because that happens every day. It is almost considered a daily task for some people. Murders however are taking lives away and that should be punished instantly. It could work towards them or against them.
Kerry-Ann Period 2
11/20/2013 04:34:33 am
I think that the 3 strike rule is a good idea is good in some ways. I think its better to keep people like who are murderers in jail than to let them out, and let them commit another crime. I think selling drugs should be a felony but not for life. I think they should shorten the years with that. The person in jail also may want to change so they should be given a second chance, but they should also be watched in some sort of way. But if you sell or do drugs more than once, than they can have the for life sentence. Because they obviously didn't learn their lesson the first time.
Joseph Tocco Period 1
11/20/2013 09:34:00 am
I think that the 3 strike rule is a good idea. Obviously, the people are getting these 3 strikes aren't really getting it that the stuff they're doing is bad. But I don't agree with a life sentence with just a little felony. I think a little jail time is appropriate, but a life sentence in jail? That's unnecessary.
Zachory Saucier Period 4
11/21/2013 02:16:36 am
I honestly think this is stupid..., but smart at the same time. If you have commited a murder, car-jacking, robbery, etc. Then i think this rule should apply to those people. On the other hand if you sell weed, steal gas, don't pay a parking ticket, etc. Then you should just get a regular sentence that each time will raise x amount of time when an arrest is made.
Ryan Agnew Period 1
11/21/2013 04:33:58 am
I believe that if the offender had committed a crime of a lesser sentence but had repeatedly committed this crime they should receive an increasing sentence over time. It's not fair for tax payers to have to pay for an inmate serving life over a small offense. But with the increasing sentence hopefully comes with the realization that they should not commit any crimes.
Anneliese period 3
11/21/2013 05:14:47 am
I think that the idea of a three-strike law could work, but to imprison someone for life for three different felonies seems unfair. It would seem more reasonable for more extreme crimes, but getting life for selling drugs or siphoning gas along with minor crimes is unfair. I agree that the three-strike system shows that any crime should be taken seriously, however to have over 3,200 people locked up for these crimes does not seem reasonable.
Mary Mullane Per. 1
11/21/2013 06:48:02 am
This blog for me is hard to understand. I agree with Eddie- the people who should be and need to be locked away in prison for life are murderers and rapists. Not people who sold ten dollars worth of weed. That is unbelievable. There are killers being let out of prison after 15 or more years, and they say they have "learned their lesson". How can anyone believe that. I certainley can't. The "3 Strike Rule" is OK, I just don't understand why people are more concerned with marijuana sellers than people who killed other human beings.
Rebecca Pasquarelli Period 3
11/21/2013 10:41:21 pm
It makes no sense that a rapist or a murderer can be released from jail after only 15 or 25 years, yet a petty criminal who sold $10 of marijuana can be imprisoned for life. The logic in that is more than flawed, it's completely corrupt. That petty criminal did not hurt anybody. There was no victim to his crime. Nobody can benefit from this. Not only does it waste taxpayers money, it ruins peoples' lives. The 3 Strike Rule is definitely a good thing with worse crimes, but in instances like this, it makes for a ridiculous, cruel, and inefficient jail system.
Patrick Mascoli- Period 3
11/22/2013 06:31:28 am
The three strike rule is a good idea in thought but the execution of this rule seems too have been flawed. It is a good idea that repeat offenders who pose a threat to society should be in prison for life. That being said, the thought that someone is in for life for selling a small quantity of marijuana is ridiculous. Yes this is an illegal crime and punishment should be dealt, but a life sentence? When you add up all of these life sentence prisoners who committed petty crimes up it adds to the already voluminous amount of prisoners in the U.S. This has led to the issue of prisons becoming overcrowded. This law is also flawed because it just wastes money on things that it should not be wasted on.
Katerina Boiano Period 2
11/22/2013 09:16:45 am
The life sentence should only be given to the people who commit crimes that are much worse than this. Selling $10 worth of a drug is not among one of the most awful crimes that someone could commit. They need to shorten the amount of time that someone is going to be in prison, and they definitely need to think more about why the person is going to prison, what they have done, and how bad it actually is.
Lenita LaRoche
11/22/2013 09:39:35 am
Life is a long time. Think about how long you've been alive. We are not even a quarter of the way done with our lives yet. Can you imagine JUST the 14-18 years you've been alive rotting in a jail cell for selling some weed? That span is no where close to a life sentence and I couldn't even begin to conceptualize how someone could spend their life in jail. I understand the three strike rule to some extent, but there needs to be room for exceptions in it. The judge shouldn't be left in a position where they're left with no choice but to throw the criminal in jail for the rest of their lives, especially if the "criminal" is young. People grow and change, and some people are only the way they are because of their upbringings and just haven't had people there to teach them right from wrong. Obviously, some crimes are more sever than others and it is not fair to have to serve the same amount of time in jail as someone who has done far worse than you. Life is a very long jail sentence, and a lot of thought and consideration need to be taken before throwing someone else's life away.
Makenzie Grover Period 1
11/22/2013 11:07:01 am
To me, it makes no sense that a person who sold only about $10 worth of marijuana is able to get a sentence as long as a murderer. Here you have someone who killed another being, while the other did not even think about hurting the other person. It is obvious the murderer has more of a chance of hurting someone than the person who sold marijuana. I understand that the person committed three felonies, but is it worth it to give them a life sentence? This person could be so young and have so many plans and just made a few mistakes along the way. Yet, they cannot accomplish these plans because instead, they are rotting in a jail. They do not deserve the sentence. There is a slight chance they end up hurting someone later on, while the murderer is likely to hurt another being after being let out of jail. I think the three felonies should not end in a life sentence unless these felonies could potentially hurt somebody.
Colleen Conti Period 3
11/22/2013 11:30:18 am
I think this punishment was a little extreme, but of course, you must face the consequences to your actions. Obviously, this is an illegal act and you must be punished for it, but a life sentence is a bit ridiculous. It's not like $10 worth of marijuana is a large amount which could lead to a life sentence. I think that it is horrible that it is pretty common to hear about the selling of illegal drugs and substances so maybe this new punishment will make changes and motivate users to quit their bad habits and turn their lives' around.
Abby Comtois Period 1
11/22/2013 09:58:47 pm
i think that the three strikes law is a good law so that you have another chance to do the right thing. I don't think that it is fair to be in prison for life just for siphoning gas from a truck, the person should still be punished but not put in jail (if they haven't committed 2 other crimes). They should have to pay a fine but do something helpful to their community as their "punishment".
Katelyn Medeiros Period 1
11/22/2013 10:29:26 pm
I can see the three strike rule acting to cut down and reduce crimes and I think that it's a great idea. But putting someone in prison for life, with people who have committed worse crimes like murder or rape, just because they were caught selling drugs is ridiculous. These three felonies are not even close to being equal, so why should the punishment be?
robert hazelwood period 4
11/22/2013 10:55:36 pm
The three strike rule shouldnt put u in prison for life it should be a smaller punishment like a year because ehy would some get put in prison for life if they sell drugs it should be a year or less rule depending on the crime
kate fontes p3
11/22/2013 11:27:48 pm
The whole concept of the three strike rule is uncalled for. If someone commits a felony once you would think they would do time the first time rather than on their third offense. Its also ridiculous because people are committing much worse crimes than selling ten dollars worth of drugs. People committing petty crimes are taking up space for the more intense and harmful prisoners. This is just a little messed up...
Julia per. 3
11/23/2013 12:36:55 am
The three strike rule sounds much better on paper than in practice. There are fiar worse crimes than selling weed or taking LSD. I honestly believe that the three strike rule should not be in effect because petty criminals should not have to serve life without parole; thats the sentance a murderer should be getting.
Elizabeth Durand
11/23/2013 01:34:25 am
I think giving a life sentence for selling drugs is a little extreme. I get that it's against the law but there are other people in the world who have commited worse crimes like murder, rape, etc. Putting someone in jail for life for such a little crime compared to others is a waste of space and I think they should think it over a little more. I also think the three strike rule is worthless. They should go to jail and do the time for the first crime they did not have second and third chances.
Miranda Crum Period 4
11/23/2013 01:44:19 am
I honestly think the three strike rule should not be allowed. I think it was ridiculous for them giving the kid a life sentence in jail just for selling some weed, I thought that was ridiculous. They should of just gave him a couple months in jail or maybe more not a life sentence!
William Sanders Period 1
11/23/2013 01:54:51 am
The three strike rule in every state should be repealed. If I were to be caught putting things in people's mailboxes three times, I could be put in jail for life! This is because putting things into someone's mailbox if you are not a postal or government worker is a felony. That's just crazy. People who go to jail for non-violent crimes should go to jail for a lighter sentence than if the crime is violent. There should be a list where if a crime is committed, a judge knows exactly how long the criminal has to be put away for. That will end the confusion once the three strike rule is abolished.
Rojas, Jose period:5
11/23/2013 05:00:16 am
talk about over kill. Personally i dont see a point in life without parol for petty crimes. The government is spending more money imprisioning the marajuana dealer than he'll ever steal, sell, or use.
Ashley swindell
11/23/2013 05:09:29 am
The three strike rule should not be allowed. I mean a life sentence.. Seriously ? It's a bad decision, yes but a couple weeks in jail will shape them up enough! A life sentence is rediculous, now that teen because of one minor decision is never going to be able to fix it and live a normal life . Horrible
Taryn Stringfellow Period 4
11/23/2013 05:32:46 am
Life sentence for $10 of marijuana it's ridiculous. There other people in the world I have done worse and they don't even get a life sentence. I get why they have the three strike rule but it's not right to get a life sentence if you do something that isn't that big. I get if you get a life sentence for murder or something but for this. It just doesn't make sense
Davis Boehm Period 3
11/23/2013 06:37:28 am
Sadly this is one of Americas ridiculous mistakes. If someone is given a life sentence for selling $10 of marijuana or syphoning gas from a car, that is absurd. It's ridiculous people who kill another human being and someone who sold $10 of marijuana receive the same sentencing. These prisoners cases should be looked at again, Americas tax dollars should not be wasted like this.
Tayla Bordeleau period 2
11/23/2013 06:43:29 am
You're going to lock somebody up for life for selling $10 worth of weed? The three strike law is ridiculous, no person deserves that! If you commit a crime like murder or rape or grand theft auto then yes I completely understand life without parole. This law needs to be fixed... Absolutely ridiculous.
Bryana Mullin
11/23/2013 07:37:27 am
I think that this is ridiculous. I do not think that someone who sold $10 worth of marijuana is sentenced to be in prison as long as a murderer. Yes i understand that selling marijuana isn't a good thing but they should not be sentenced to life for that, whether they were caught three times or not. Some of those people in there have committed way worse crimes. I think the three strikes needs to go away.
Akeel Rehman Period 5
11/23/2013 09:07:48 am
I think this type of punishment is very unfair. That is basically throwing someone in jail before even proving that person guilty. This law should be fixed so that these kinds of loopholes or glitches dont occur to other people for making very small mistakes.
Alexa Annotti P.3
11/23/2013 10:31:31 am
It costs a good amount of money to keep prisoners in jail. Yet there are people in there for life sentences for petty crimes while murderers can sometimes be let out after 15 years. Maybe the three strike rule should be a heavy fine or something because it is a waste of money to keep a petty criminal in prison that could be spent on taking down dangerous criminals.
Lexie Leal period 2
11/23/2013 10:36:23 am
I think there should be a line drawn between types of crimes. There are crimes that deserve life in jail, and crimes that deserve a more short term punishment. Selling marijuana, siphoning gas, and these other minor offenses, in comparison to other crimes, should not have a life sentence. Jails are already overcrowded in general, and keeping these potentially harmless people in jail for life just raises the amount of taxes on normal citizens. Yes, these are still crimes and deserve to deal with consequences, but the three strike rule should be overlooked again since it clearly is not effective.
Anthony Gorton Period 2
11/23/2013 10:44:59 am
The three strike idea sounds good at first, but when there are muders being commited and the jails are being filled with stupid crimes. Especially the fact the three strike rule puts you in for life and a murder crime may not keep you in for life.
Victoria Curley P5
11/23/2013 11:32:44 am
I can see the idea behind the three strike rule, but it just isn't a good rule to have in place. Many criminals are being locked away for life for crimes such a selling marijuana. When some rapist are getting out on good behavior in just a few short years. Things like this just make me sick to know how much change our legal system needs to undergo, because tax money is paying for these criminals to be in jail... and honestly I'd rather my tax money be keeping a rapist behind bars rather then a non violent criminal.
Evan Period 3
11/23/2013 12:51:53 pm
I think that this is very extreme but rules are rules. If those rules are not followed, especially after 2 previous warnings, that a final punishment must be given. It is an example to all the other people who think that they will not go to prison for an extended amount of time and that they will just get a slap on the wrist will be very sorry for it in the future. I do not 100 % agree with what is going on but I do understand why it is happening.
Ana Alvarez
11/29/2013 05:41:33 am
I think that is dumb for them to give them this punishment because they really didnt make a bad crime to deserve this punishment and they showld calm down. Comments are closed.
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