As a follow up on SB 99, the Criminal Code Purpose Statement, the bill comes out of the Sentencing Policy Study Committee which has a final report. Presumably more substantive legislation will be (or perhaps has been) introduced. I only glanced at the final report, but the committee seemed very concerned about increasing prison populations and recidivism. Presumably (and it’s probably in that report), they have made recommendations as to approaches they think will reduce prison populations by reducing recidivism.
A good, and fiscally responsible goal. The existence of a high rate of recidivism would suggest that Indiana’s penal system isn’t meeting its reformative goal. And, while it may be serving the interest of retribution, that is a function the Indiana Constitution prohibits for the criminal justice system. Which is fine since retribution is emotionally satisfying but expensive, fleeting, and a waste of government resources. Prevention, deterrence, and reformation are the less satisfying but more logical goals.
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