LOOK, they're in prison on THREE STRIKES YOUR OUT laws - - THREE CONVICTIONS - that's a LOT. Sorry but Grateful Dead concert-goers aren't THAT unlucky.
It's near impossible to prove many gang-related crimes - no one wants to testify or they'll end up dead. But you can prove that the guy had drugs on him, that's easy.
Why can't people see this - yes, the crime on which the guy was run up-state was a drug crime - - that doesn't mean that he's not a hardened criminal! The Libs take the stats that show that the crimes that got people the time were drug possession crimes and tell you that means the prisons are full of recreational pot smokers and that's just not true.
2007-02-15 05:43:21 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Drugs are the number 1 cause of people going to jail. Drugs are involved in over 90% of the prison population. Most violent crimes center around stealing for drugs or drug money, Killing over drug deals gone bad, or gang crimes. Most gangs make their money by dealing drugs. While the dealers are providing a service or a supply to a market so were the people who sold the slaves. Drugs are a huge part of the decline in our society and IMO any drug conviction should be treated as a violent crime.
2007-02-15 06:07:27 · answer #1 · answered by joevette 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People who are there for hard drugs, I have no problem with. I also have no problem if you sell drugs, or are driving under the influence. But if you are there for possession of pot alone, with or without a three strikes conviction, that's stupid. People who are high on pot don't generally commit any violent crimes, and aren't hurting anything excepting, perhaps, their own lungs. There are at least 37 people in the prison near us who are there for nothing but weed posses ion (albeit a number of times) and I would honestly rather see that space going to hold people who might actually harm me somehow, rather than someone who wanted to get high and eat macaroni out of a big plastic bowl.
2007-02-15 06:01:58 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
California has over 175,000 people in prison. Fifty thousand more than the prisons were actually built for. More than half are in on drug related offenses.
The overcrowding has gotten so bad that they've been trying to convince prisoners to agree to be to be sent to another state. In other words they want to ship their problems elsewhere. They've even made videos.
"The prison here in Minnesota is a lot less crowded, and you get to go outside a lot. And the chow's not bad."
Everybody says - 'so what, build more prisons'. Where? No one wants them in their neighborhood. And no one wants to pay the extra taxes it would cost.
And what's our prison system choking on? Drug offenders, most of them addicted themselves. We throw them behind bars, and then do nothing to solve their problem. Which means it becomes our problem. Either our expense while they're inside, or our trouble when they get out.
2007-02-15 15:55:56 · answer #3 · answered by buzzzard 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it isn't hard at all to prove gang related crimes. it may be harder to prove it is gang related. what does it matter that they get an extra 3 years added on for being gang related, when they are already facing a a violent crime charge??
maybe the state should just add those years onto the crime, to begin with, and then they don't have to worry about gang affiliation.
and it isn't the fact no one wants to testify, that makes it difficult to convict drug dealers. it is the fact that drugs are illegal giving the criminals a huge avenue for making very large sums of money to make things happen in their own direction.
Kind of like the Micheal Jackson trials, except for his trial wasn't drug related.
its called..money talks and BS walks!
2007-02-15 06:00:53 · answer #4 · answered by qncyguy21 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Most drug offenders are in jail for possession or sale and have not committed a violent crime. There is a new organization of retired police officers trying to get drugs legalized because our laws are ridiculous on this. What happens is drug users get jailed and there learn to be violent criminals while our prison are bursting so cannot jail many violent criminals.
2007-02-15 05:58:57 · answer #5 · answered by Lighthearted 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The first poster answered you question with the usual liberal foolishness.I have lived in both white and black neighborhoods ,and have yet to see a group (gang) of white kids standing on the street corner selling dope.White people deal drugs,but are more discreet about it.No matter what color a person is,possession or selling drugs is a CRIME.
2007-02-15 06:01:16 · answer #6 · answered by HITLERY 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
But in some cases it is true and you know it. A lot of people in prison for possession of small amounts of drugs. They could be out and working instead of us supporting them forever.
2007-02-15 06:06:36 · answer #7 · answered by elaeblue 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Potheads are hardly your 'hardened violent criminals'. Now those who abuse meth, alcohol, coke and heroin are a different story, they will get violent and steal to support their habit, their addiction. In most states if you have an ounce or more of marijuana, it is a felony and can have up to ten years in prison, FIRST OFFENSE. your ignorance on this subject is absurd.
2007-02-15 06:30:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe you have faulty information. You don't have to have had three convictions to go to jail--you can go to jail on your first offense if the statute requires it. A friend of mine had a son who was arrested and spent five years in prison for hauling a huge amount of marijuana. It was his first arrest and first offense.
That being said, drugs are often used by violent offenders, but not all drug offenders are violent.
2007-02-15 05:55:32 · answer #9 · answered by KCBA 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
And how about the people who went to prison before those three strikes laws? You know, like Jon Sinclair? check the stats first please...and check the racial divide too
2007-02-15 05:48:25 · answer #10 · answered by hichefheidi 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋