Sanders unveils proposal for massive overhaul of criminal justice system

[JoeOtterbein]

(Note: This article was written by this DU poster's daughter)

[link:https://www.politico.com/story/2019/08/18/bernie-sanders-criminal-justice-overhaul-proposal-1466995|

By HOLLY OTTERBEIN 08/18/2019 09:30 AM EDT

Bernie Sanders, who was criticized by liberal activists in 2016 for not focusing more on racial injustice, is unveiling a sweeping plan on Sunday aimed at slashing the country’s prison population in half and ridding the criminal justice system of "institutional racism and corporate profiteering."

The ambitious, nearly 6,000-word proposal seeks to remake the nation’s prisons, police departments, courts, drug laws and treatment of people who have mental illnesses with a full-throated progressive agenda. Sanders’ left-wing allies have argued he has "evolved" in recent years on the issue of criminal justice.

The plan calls for banning cash bail, solitary confinement and civil asset forfeiture, which allows law enforcement officials to seize people’s homes and other property even if they are not convicted of a crime. The plan also looks to legalize marijuana and abolish the death penalty, a practice Sanders has long opposed.
The Vermont senator would legalize "safe injection sites" where people can use illegal drugs under medical supervision, a controversial practice that has been shown in several studies to curb the number of overdose deaths.

Sanders' proposal promises the attorney general will investigate every time a person is killed in police custody. He would also establish a "Prisoner Bill of Rights," create a “civilian corps of unarmed first responders” to deal with mental health emergencies, and boost funding for public defenders.

(more at link)

Sounds great to me!

[questionseverything]

1. i like this part...

His new plan is likely to draw criticism from police unions. One of his recommendations is to establish a list of "disreputable" federal law enforcement officials who cannot be called to testify in court so "testimony from untrustworthy sources does not lead to criminal convictions.//////////////


we need this, the idea that the cop that drove into those protesters and isn't arrested is horrid

[mr_lebowski]

2. Every time I think meh ... mebbe I don't really like Bernie all that much, he goes and does

something like this ... AND TOTALLY REDEEMS HIMSELF.

I agree w/damn near every proposal listed here. In particular ... THESE ...

"banning cash bail, solitary confinement and civil asset forfeiture"

Although I do have questions about the first one, in particular if this means we're keeping people in jail 'til trial no matter what. Cause I'm not sure I'm down w/that. Nor do I think it's a good idea to release EVERYONE on their OR. So I need more deets on that one. But nobody should be in jail for an infraction or low-grade misdemeanor just cause they can't come up with a few hundred bucks. That's garbage.

The other two? 100% behind them.

[NYMinute]

3. This is rich

After doing nothing in congress for 30+ years and after voting for the 1994 crime bill, he suddenly has an epiphany!!

[BlueWI]

5. Making fun of good ideas

seems to bring you joy. Odd.

Contributions are needed to a dialogue about how to move beyond incarceration as a primary policing strategy. Kudos to Sanders and any other candidate who names this as a priority, especially given that prohibiting ex-felons from voting helps produce Republican majorities and predidents. We're working on changing this in Wisconsin and it's an uphill battle, but having Sanders raise the profile is a good thing.

That's it. Laugh some more, and when you stop, do something.

[NYMinute]

6. I detest death-bed (or election-bed) conversions

to garner votes.

It is like a hyena embracing vegetables and fruit at a vegan convention just before an election.

[Uncle Joe]

4. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread JoeOtterbein.