How horrible! I am glad to hear Ms. Corker is ok. It will take awhile for her mental state to get back to normal. Just glad she wasn't In Tennesse when it happened or the attackers could be back out on the street before they are even convicted!
Mr. Dempsey, I think we have all been rather emotional. I do appreciate the work done by agencies such as yours. I ask that you be a little less condescending with your statements in the future.
There is one area where you and I disagree heartily. You say the 'prison only'policies of the '80s is what sent our budget spiraling. Could it be possible that all the perks these criminals receive in prison have a great bearing on costs? Not to mention the enormous cost for appeal after appeal after appeal....many of which are automatic.
Another point you make is we have 5% of the worlds population but house 25% of the worlds prisoners. Isn't that just a little misleading? It would be worth taking a look at those figures if you could compare apples to apples. But those figures also include countries like China that execute many offenders instead of house them. Or other third world countries that barely even have a penal system. You also state there is no real advantage in crime rate as a result (of the numbers of incarcerated). Tell us...how do you measure that? If they were to release these people, it would have no effect on the crime rate? Isn't that essentially what you are saying? Apparently we may all be about to find out when your theory is put to the test. Looks like you have your work cut out for you.
You mentioned you are in favor of a smaller prison population and a wider base of alternatives in the community. I am curious as to what those programs would be and which offenders would be in those programs and who would designate which offenders were able to to be placed in those programs. I don't have alot of faith in todays wheeling and dealing between attorney's and judges.
One last comment....tdempsey is the executive director of the charitable organization Chattanooga Endeavors. As the family member of a victim (thus a victim myself), I CERTAINLY appreciate the efforts of these organizations to try to rehabilitate these criminals. I am an intilligent individual who understands that some people make mistakes and want desperately to make changes in their lives.
What I don't appreciate is the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of any organization stooping to name calling; nor his accusation that we are un-American!!!!! I am astounded at his arrogance! I am offended at the audacity to have the nerve to call me, or any of the other Great Americans writing an opinion here, UN-AMERICAN!!!!!!!
Mr. Dempsey assumes that most citizens are not aware of the many vocational training, work release, career development programs available to prisoners while incarcerated. TRICOR is just one of the programs offered to inmates to help with job training and transitional employment. TREC is another government sponsored, tax payer funded program dedicated to prisoners. These examples are just a drop in the bucket of those that are offered to inmates.
Of course, for the general public to be aware of the opportunities and services made available to inmates, it might mean less contributions to his organization. Mr Dempsey's email address at Chattanooga Endeavors is tdempsey@chattanoogaendeavors.com for anyone who wishes to let him know their thoughts on name calling.
in response to tdempsey....How considerate of you to call those with differing views un-informed, un-thoughtful and UN-AMERICAN! I can think of nothing more American than voicing our opinions! As for un-informed, as the sister of a murdered victim that has been attending parole hearings for 16 years, I would like to know how you feel you are so much more informed than everyone else? As for un-thoughtful, I believe I have had quite a long time to put thought into the subject.
My brothers murderer has had the benefit of a multitude of rehabilitation programs, psychiatrists, and many other programs. After being released on parole, he beat up a woman within a matter of weeks and tested positive for drugs....he again is back where he belongs.
I can say with all honesty that I wanted Mr. Murderer to be released and return to society and be a productive citizen (15 years of parole hearings takes it's toll). BUT THERE ARE THOSE WHO BELONG IN PRISON, No matter how much you bleeding hearts sit there and wring your hands at the wrong done to those poor, unfortunate prisoners...You will feel differently when it is your loved one you look down into the casket and see!
Seriously! So many cutbacks could be made that would make sooo much more sense than putting these criminals back on the street! STOP CODDLING THOSE THAT KILL, ROB, RAPE AND RUIN OUR SOCIETY!!! Most people have no idea how many luxuries these prisoners have!
Hey! East Ridge could be a great help! They could forego the million dollar interstate 'waterfall'....not spend untold amounts on traffic camera's to enforce the 35 MILE AN HOUR speed trap; stop paying the city attorney more than the murderer's (that are about to be released)attorneys are paid; etc. Put that money toward punishing these predators and we could set a great example for cities across the state!
Sen. Corker says daughter "shaken" by carjacking in Washington, D.C., area; two suspects in custody
How horrible! I am glad to hear Ms. Corker is ok. It will take awhile for her mental state to get back to normal. Just glad she wasn't In Tennesse when it happened or the attackers could be back out on the street before they are even convicted!
Take care Ms. Corker!
Freeing inmates eyed as cost-saving step
Mr. Dempsey, I think we have all been rather emotional. I do appreciate the work done by agencies such as yours. I ask that you be a little less condescending with your statements in the future.
There is one area where you and I disagree heartily. You say the 'prison only'policies of the '80s is what sent our budget spiraling. Could it be possible that all the perks these criminals receive in prison have a great bearing on costs? Not to mention the enormous cost for appeal after appeal after appeal....many of which are automatic.
Another point you make is we have 5% of the worlds population but house 25% of the worlds prisoners. Isn't that just a little misleading? It would be worth taking a look at those figures if you could compare apples to apples. But those figures also include countries like China that execute many offenders instead of house them. Or other third world countries that barely even have a penal system. You also state there is no real advantage in crime rate as a result (of the numbers of incarcerated). Tell us...how do you measure that? If they were to release these people, it would have no effect on the crime rate? Isn't that essentially what you are saying? Apparently we may all be about to find out when your theory is put to the test. Looks like you have your work cut out for you.
You mentioned you are in favor of a smaller prison population and a wider base of alternatives in the community. I am curious as to what those programs would be and which offenders would be in those programs and who would designate which offenders were able to to be placed in those programs. I don't have alot of faith in todays wheeling and dealing between attorney's and judges.
Freeing inmates eyed as cost-saving step
One last comment....tdempsey is the executive director of the charitable organization Chattanooga Endeavors. As the family member of a victim (thus a victim myself), I CERTAINLY appreciate the efforts of these organizations to try to rehabilitate these criminals. I am an intilligent individual who understands that some people make mistakes and want desperately to make changes in their lives.
What I don't appreciate is the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of any organization stooping to name calling; nor his accusation that we are un-American!!!!! I am astounded at his arrogance! I am offended at the audacity to have the nerve to call me, or any of the other Great Americans writing an opinion here, UN-AMERICAN!!!!!!!
Mr. Dempsey assumes that most citizens are not aware of the many vocational training, work release, career development programs available to prisoners while incarcerated. TRICOR is just one of the programs offered to inmates to help with job training and transitional employment. TREC is another government sponsored, tax payer funded program dedicated to prisoners. These examples are just a drop in the bucket of those that are offered to inmates.
Of course, for the general public to be aware of the opportunities and services made available to inmates, it might mean less contributions to his organization. Mr Dempsey's email address at Chattanooga Endeavors is tdempsey@chattanoogaendeavors.com for anyone who wishes to let him know their thoughts on name calling.
Freeing inmates eyed as cost-saving step
in response to tdempsey....How considerate of you to call those with differing views un-informed, un-thoughtful and UN-AMERICAN! I can think of nothing more American than voicing our opinions! As for un-informed, as the sister of a murdered victim that has been attending parole hearings for 16 years, I would like to know how you feel you are so much more informed than everyone else? As for un-thoughtful, I believe I have had quite a long time to put thought into the subject.
My brothers murderer has had the benefit of a multitude of rehabilitation programs, psychiatrists, and many other programs. After being released on parole, he beat up a woman within a matter of weeks and tested positive for drugs....he again is back where he belongs.
I can say with all honesty that I wanted Mr. Murderer to be released and return to society and be a productive citizen (15 years of parole hearings takes it's toll). BUT THERE ARE THOSE WHO BELONG IN PRISON, No matter how much you bleeding hearts sit there and wring your hands at the wrong done to those poor, unfortunate prisoners...You will feel differently when it is your loved one you look down into the casket and see!
Freeing inmates eyed as cost-saving step
Seriously! So many cutbacks could be made that would make sooo much more sense than putting these criminals back on the street! STOP CODDLING THOSE THAT KILL, ROB, RAPE AND RUIN OUR SOCIETY!!! Most people have no idea how many luxuries these prisoners have!
Hey! East Ridge could be a great help! They could forego the million dollar interstate 'waterfall'....not spend untold amounts on traffic camera's to enforce the 35 MILE AN HOUR speed trap; stop paying the city attorney more than the murderer's (that are about to be released)attorneys are paid; etc. Put that money toward punishing these predators and we could set a great example for cities across the state!