The decision by Attorney General Jeff Sessions to revive some of the toughest practices of the "war on drugs" can have both positive and negative impacts on the correctional system and sustainable justice.

Positive Impacts:

Deterrence: Harsher sentences may deter individuals from engaging in drug-related criminal activities due to the fear of longer prison terms. This could potentially reduce drug-related crimes.

Law and Order: Tougher sentencing practices can be seen as a way to maintain law and order, as they may remove drug offenders from the streets and reduce drug-related violence and criminal activities.

Negative Impacts:

Overcrowding: Tougher sentencing policies can lead to overcrowding in correctional facilities, straining resources and making it more challenging to provide rehabilitation and support services.

High Costs: Longer sentences require more resources for incarceration, which can lead to increased costs for the criminal justice system and taxpayers.

Racial Disparities: Harsher sentencing policies have often been criticized for exacerbating racial disparities in the criminal justice system. They may disproportionately affect minority communities.

Limited Rehabilitation: Lengthy sentences may hinder the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders into society, potentially perpetuating a cycle of criminal behavior.

Sustainability: Overreliance on incarceration without effective rehabilitation and reintegration programs may not contribute to long-term sustainable justice solutions.

While harsher sentences in the "war on drugs" may have some short-term benefits in terms of deterrence and maintaining law and order, they also come with significant drawbacks like prison overcrowding, disproportionate impact on minority communities, and potential hindrances to rehabilitation and sustainable justice. The balance between punishment and rehabilitation in the correctional system is a complex issue that requires careful consideration.

REFERENCES:

J. Booth Schmalleger, F. (2020). Corrections in the 21st Century (9th ed.). McGraw-Hill Higher Education (US). https://ccis.vitalsource.com/books/9781260805321 https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/will-harsher-sentences-affect-flow-drugs-u-s

CLASSMATE DISCUSSION 2:

The interview discussed the issues with drug trafficking in America. Harry spoke to past drug czars John Walter and Gil Kerlikowske about their perspectives on the issue. They both spoke on federal regulations that have made it harder for there to be wiggle room for offenders. The information they had was very effective in painting the picture of the need for change in how we go after big illegal drug manufacturers. I think that it is good that federal regulations have made it where the sentencing is clear. The ability to take the crime and compare it to the punishment allows less room for getting off with a slap on the wrist. This also takes the pressure off prosecutors when it comes to smaller crimes. I do like that the ablity to exchange time for information is still allowed but the person will still pay for their crime. I dont think the ablity to give information to get the bigger fish should equal no prison time at all. Something I kind of already knew but this video solidified this theory for me was the opioid crisis being caused by our own pharmacy companies along with overseas companies pushing narcotics onto the market.

References

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/will-harsher-sentences-affect-flow-drugs-u-s

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