Issue of the Week: Sheriff Clarke’s Boot Camp Fantasy
The
Democrat-on-the-ballot-only has announced he wants to launch a military-style
boot camp at the Milwaukee County Correctional Facility whether you like it or
not.
“With
my constitutional authority, if I have to, I’ll do it unilaterally,” he told a
reporter.
Clarke
eventually wants all inmates to participate in 90-day boot camp programs,
saying they’ll leave the facility with a new outlook on life and changed
behavior.
But
is that true? According to the Bush-era U.S. Department of Justice, boot camps
just don’t have the impact that tough-on-crime law-and-order conservatives like
Clarke are seeking. According to a 2003 report, released when John Ashcroft was
the attorney general, some boot camp participants reported short-term changes
in attitudes and behaviors. But “these positive changes did not lead to reduced
recidivism.” The federal government’s General Accounting Office surveyed boot
camps in federal prisons and also failed to find reduced recidivism rates.
So
while Clarke may be posturing for the conservatives who support him at the
polls, don’t believe the hype that his one-man marching orders will prevent
those convicted of crimes from committing more crimes in the future.
Hero of the Week
Erik Lindberg of Transition Milwaukee
As co-founder of
Transition Milwaukee, Erik Lindberg encourages people to reduce their
environmental footprints. Transition Milwaukee,
together with the Riverwest Neighborhood Association and other local groups,
issued a “Power Down Milwaukee” challenge the week of June 21-27. The
“staycation” saw participants turn off phones and computers, get out of their
cars and join neighbors for community workshops and projects designed to foster
awareness of our dependency on the energy grid.
The festivities
culminated with an Energy Independence Day celebration in Gordon Park
on July 5, with family activities and entertainment on a stage powered by
bicycle generators.
Readers who wish to get
involved or learn more about how to increase their energy independence are
urged to visit the Transition Milwaukee website at
transitionmilwaukee.ning.com.
Jerk of the Week
Gerald Fox, Jackson County
District Attorney
Talk about jumping the gun! In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision on Chicago’s tough handgun ban, Jackson County District Attorney Gerald R. Fox has decided that he won’t prosecute people for carrying concealed weapons, keeping guns in cars, carrying guns in public buildings or being armed where alcohol is served. Fox argues that the court’s decision makes those Wisconsin laws “unconstitutional”—immediately. So much for the power of the state courts and Legislature, hey? The fact is that the Chicago case has nothing to do with Wisconsin’s concealed carry ban. And even uber-conservative Justice Samuel Alito wrote that the decision doesn’t prevent states and municipalities from passing “reasonable” gun regulations. We suggest that Fox follow the law and not turn Jackson County into the Wild West, or resign from office for not fulfilling his responsibilities.
I like it, they are criminals (otherwise they wouldn't be there). Why does the author quote Bush era stuff when it "works" only. I would support what we see in the south, have those in jail cleaning the streets and freeways to help eliminate all the high cost union labor! We really need to be realistic, people in jail belong there - it should not be pleasant.
Your an idiot
It works in other places in this country
Let's ask the prisoners? If I was in Jail I would rather be out in the streets cleaning them then sitting in a Jail cell. The only thing is I think you liberals know what is better for me in the end so maybe I should sit in jail