The Sentencing Project, a Washington D.C. nonprofit, says that Louisiana leads the nation with 10.9 percent of its prison population serving life without parole. (See: "More La. prisoners in for life").
The "the nationwide prison population facing life without parole more than tripled between 1992 and 2008, jumping from 12,453 to 41,095". id.
"The report highlights serious problems in Louisiana and other states, said Marjorie Esman, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana." id.
Marjorie Esman, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana, said that:
"This report is disturbing,”
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“It confirms what we have known for awhile, which is that Louisiana treats its prisoners worse than most other states. “It’s about retribution,” Esman said of the state’s criminal justice system. “It’s not about rehabilitation. It’s almost pure vindictiveness.”
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“There’s no reason to spend the money to keep everybody incarcerated,” Esman said. “It would be far better for the state to allow prisoners the option to win early release.” id.
I disagree with the A.C.L.U. on this one. While we need to come up with unique ways that stop crime, once it is committed the punishment factor comes in to play. If you committ the crime, you must do the time.
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