Science 101
Every junior high student knows that in science class one is expected to collect the facts, distinguish between causation and correlation and then arrive at the null hypotheses.
The judicial system of the United States is not based on the principles of science 101. Very sadly it is based on Emotions 101. Nearly every teenager has extensively practiced the principles of Emotions 101.
I was again reminded of these facts while listening to and then reading the morning news reports. One of the local news items was about the sentencing of a young man to 10-36 years in prison on two felony counts for attempted armed robbery. Even though the young man said he had a gun that was apparently not the case. The 41-year-old man confessed he was on drugs when he committed his incidences. There is also a history of mental illness. The Judge states, “I hope you can use the time to rehabilitate yourself…You have no one to blame but yourself.” (wwwintelligencer.net, April 19, 2018)
The average cost in the United States to incarcerate an inmate is in excess of $31,000, but can go as high as $60,000.00 in the State of New York and as high as $168,000 in New York City (2013 figures). If the young man being sentenced serves all of the 36 years that could be an average cost in 2013 figures of $1, 116,000.00. Ten years would be $310,000.00. Those amounts guarantee no substance abuse treatment and does not take into account that this man would then be 51 to 77 years old. During that time in prison he will not be paying taxes or otherwise be a productive member of the society. It is likely that even if he serves less time he will not be ready to practice a solid recovery program. Not only is he not likely to get quality treatment for his addiction but the very nature of prison life will aggravate any mental illnesses.
The goal is to punish this man and, in the process, punish the taxpayer, and future victims. There is no scientific basis for the diagnosis and treatment. The diagnosis which the judicial system has given him is “bad person”. The treatment is punishment.
A more scientific approach would:
· Give him a more accurate diagnosis:
o Possible mental illness
o Drug addiction
· Design a treatment approach based on diagnosis
A more scientific diagnosis and treatment plan would:
· Be cost effective.
· Allow him to become a tax paying, responsible community member.
· Allow him to practice a recovery approach for his drug addiction which is effective.
· As part of a recovery program help others to reclaim their lives.
· Stabilize his mental health.
· Welcome him into the community as someone with an illness or multiple illness which he did not choose to have.
This is not a liberal or conservative approach. It is an approach based upon scientific knowledge and principles. It is also based on common sense and economic sense.
Written April 19, 2018
Every junior high student knows that in science class one is expected to collect the facts, distinguish between causation and correlation and then arrive at the null hypotheses.
The judicial system of the United States is not based on the principles of science 101. Very sadly it is based on Emotions 101. Nearly every teenager has extensively practiced the principles of Emotions 101.
I was again reminded of these facts while listening to and then reading the morning news reports. One of the local news items was about the sentencing of a young man to 10-36 years in prison on two felony counts for attempted armed robbery. Even though the young man said he had a gun that was apparently not the case. The 41-year-old man confessed he was on drugs when he committed his incidences. There is also a history of mental illness. The Judge states, “I hope you can use the time to rehabilitate yourself…You have no one to blame but yourself.” (wwwintelligencer.net, April 19, 2018)
The average cost in the United States to incarcerate an inmate is in excess of $31,000, but can go as high as $60,000.00 in the State of New York and as high as $168,000 in New York City (2013 figures). If the young man being sentenced serves all of the 36 years that could be an average cost in 2013 figures of $1, 116,000.00. Ten years would be $310,000.00. Those amounts guarantee no substance abuse treatment and does not take into account that this man would then be 51 to 77 years old. During that time in prison he will not be paying taxes or otherwise be a productive member of the society. It is likely that even if he serves less time he will not be ready to practice a solid recovery program. Not only is he not likely to get quality treatment for his addiction but the very nature of prison life will aggravate any mental illnesses.
The goal is to punish this man and, in the process, punish the taxpayer, and future victims. There is no scientific basis for the diagnosis and treatment. The diagnosis which the judicial system has given him is “bad person”. The treatment is punishment.
A more scientific approach would:
· Give him a more accurate diagnosis:
o Possible mental illness
o Drug addiction
· Design a treatment approach based on diagnosis
A more scientific diagnosis and treatment plan would:
· Be cost effective.
· Allow him to become a tax paying, responsible community member.
· Allow him to practice a recovery approach for his drug addiction which is effective.
· As part of a recovery program help others to reclaim their lives.
· Stabilize his mental health.
· Welcome him into the community as someone with an illness or multiple illness which he did not choose to have.
This is not a liberal or conservative approach. It is an approach based upon scientific knowledge and principles. It is also based on common sense and economic sense.
Written April 19, 2018
RSS Feed