April 17, 2005

Get Out of Jail Free Card

Convicts in Indiana prisons get a bonus if they decide to complete their degrees: they get out of jail earlier.

According to FOX News,

A bachelor's degree cuts two years off a sentence, an associate's degree is worth one year and a vocational class deducts three months. The rules have been in effect since a state law was passed in 1993.

Not only are these degrees taxpayer funded, but those convicted of rape, assault, and a host of other charges can get out early to boot?

According to the story, it's cheaper to give these guys free degrees and let them out early. Now while I realize the bottom line can be important, why isn't serving full punishment more important?

Diane Wheatley, who was raped ten years ago, was surprised to find out her attacker is out of prison four years early. She said earning two bachelor's and an associate's degree behind bars does not prove rehabilitation.

"You can get educated but does that mean you're changed as a person, does that mean he's not going to rape somebody else?" asked Wheatley.

Exactly. While serving the whole sentence doesn't "prove" rehabilitation either, letting folks out early sure doesn't seem fair, especially to the victims. What's the point of having sentencing guidelines when they can be sidestepped by things like good behavior and hitting the books?

"This money is being used to enhance our condition so when we do re-enter society we could be more productive," said inmate Kenneth Brewer.

I'd like some government money (state or federal, I'm not picky) to enhance my condition as well. I'd like to get another degree, but gosh, I work full time...and I'm already paying off a student loan from my last stint in higher education. I would love to have gotten educated for free. I guess I should have considered armed robbery in the state of Indiana!

Does prison really rehabilitate someone? I don't know, and I don't think the experts know either. Some people are probably "scared straight" after spending time in jail, realizing they don't want to go back and therefore stay on the right side of the law upon their release.

So often, though, we hear about criminals who, upon their arrest, already have a rap sheet a mile long. Apparently they weren't rehabilitated the first, second, or third time around. What do we do in those cases?

Aside from keeping them in prison for life (which is usually only done in extreme cases in states where there is no death penalty), the only option we have is to keep them in prison for the duration of their sentences. California has the three strikes law, which I think is a good thing. Obviously if states like Indiana think a college education will keep felons from re-offending when they are back in society, then they'll keep on educating with that hope.

But don't let them out early. Keep them in for as long as they've been sentenced. That's the point of punishment...and for once, it would be nice if the victims' point of view was considered before that of the offender.

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