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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCONSERVATIVE AGENDAS AND CAMPAIGNS: THE RISE OF THE MODERN “TOUGH ON CRIME” MOVEMENT
The tough on crime movement refers to a set of policies that emphasize punishment as a pri-
mary, and often sole, response to crime. Mandatory sentencing, Three strikes, truth-in-sentencing,
quality of life policing, zero tolerance, and various other proposals that result in longer and
harsher penalties and the elimination of rehabilitation and other programs are all contemporary
examples of tough on crime policies.
The effects of these policies are alarming. Local, state and federal governments have all adopted
and implemented these policies resulting in enormous increases in drug arrests, more punitive
sentencing proposals, resurgence of the death penalty, departure from juvenile
justice systems, and increased racial profiling and community surveillance. While
proponents claim these policies are race-neutral, poor people and people of
color are overwhelmingly affected and ensnared by the criminal justice system.
In the following article, scholars Katherine Beckett and Theodore Sasson argue
that conservative politicians have worked for decades to alter popular percep-
tions of crime, delinquency, addiction, and poverty, and to promote policies
that involve getting tough and cracking down.
http://publiceye.org/defendingjustice/pdfs/chapters/toughcrime.pdf
Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)damnedifIknow
(3,183 posts)Instead of going along with them we should be doing the total opposite.
ck4829
(35,094 posts)Justice is no longer 'blind', but it has had an eye plucked out when people make it so that it sees only what they want it to see.
damnedifIknow
(3,183 posts)is that what we are experiencing today regarding crime and punishment is a result of early planning by some conservative think tank that finally had the chance to fully implement when Bush was selected. Maybe I'm off base but that's my opinion.
wyldwolf
(43,870 posts)Spider Jerusalem
(21,786 posts)to sign the death warrant of a brain-damaged and functionally retarded man who lacked the capacity to understand what was happening to him, to show what big crimefighting balls he had?
damnedifIknow
(3,183 posts)it kept rolling and picking up momentum to the point where nobody dare appear soft on crime.