Addressing "Revolving-Door" Justice: A Complex Issue

The two-part series in The Gazette on the "revolving-door justice" system in Maryland that put Lindsay Harvey's alleged killer back on the streets after six years in prison for slashing people's throats has now grabbed the attention of the paper's opinion editors, along with that of some readers. Although last week's editorial appears to fall short of tacitly endorsing our goal of making violent criminals in Maryland serve 85% of their sentences, it does lay out the numerous lapses in the system that gave Shawn Henderson his freedom back and allowed him to run afoul of his probation agreement until he became the prime suspect in Lindsay's murder. And it agrees that a "fresh look" at the holes in the laws and sentencing guidelines needs to be taken in the coming year's legislative session.

The Gazette also noted that, whereas other states have enacted truth-in-sentencing laws to keep the worst of the worst behind bars, Maryland has "watered-down" policies.

"Slowing this dangerous revolving door from prison to the streets won't be easy but is absolutely necessary," the editoral concludes.

How to slow this revolving door so that innocent lives can be saved is, of course, another issue on which there are no shortage of opinions. And interestingly enough, today's Washington Post has a story on Virginia Sen. James Webb, who as it turns out is planning to introduce legislation that seeks to reform the U.S. prison system. The article also shares front page space in the Metro section with a story on the rise in homicides in Waldorf and Charles County, which some residents seem to believe is tied to the county's urbanization (although statistics have not proven conclusive in that regard).

Webb has said the U.S. prison system is flawed in how it targets, punishes and releases those it identifies as criminals. His opinions are further summed up in this paragraph:

Webb aims much of his criticism at enforcement efforts that he says too often target low-level drug offenders and parole violators, rather than those who perpetrate violence, such as gang members. He also blames policies that strip felons of citizenship rights and can hinder their chances of finding a job after release. He says he believes society can be made safer while making the system more humane and cost-effective.

Regardless of whether we agree with any of this, the article nonetheless highlights the fact that this is a complex issue with no easy solutions.