Guiding philosophy in Criminal Justice

Opponents can accused the jail planners of concentrating too much on bricks and jail bars and not enough on treatment and prevention programs to keep criminals from re-offending and re-entering the criminal justice system.

The guiding philosophy in criminal justice is to change the lifestyles and behaviors that lead to crime, resulting in fewer arrests, a reduced need for jail beds and a savings to taxpayers.

County officials could have engendered more support by being up-front. Critics will chastise commissioners for failing to include the public in the decision-making process. It was a message that resonates well with the voting public.

In their slow crawl to solve the jail crowding crisis, commissioners and corrections officials failed to involve the public in the decision-making process. They deserve any criticism thrown their direction.

Why do they do things in secret and wait until it's all done to tell us? They decide, and then they tell people what they're going to get stuck with.

This doesn’t send a clear message to community stakeholders that their opinions matter. Again, they deserve any criticism thrown their direction.

Ted