Tuesday; February 21

Here is one of the basic challenges of a system built on civility: do we primarily seek to hold offenders accountable for their actions or are we more apt to offer mercy for crimes and seek to rehabilitate offenders? While I believe there is probably a way to strike a balance in the justice system, we spend a lot of time and effort trying to find it. Now, while I understand the value of a discipline-based rehabilitation system, we must not overlook the need for punishment – but maybe not for the reason many people might attribute to me. In all honestly, it isn’t everyday citizens who most benefit from accountability, it is the vulnerable population. Most of us who are physically, financially, mentally and emotionally stable have a pretty good defense mechanism that can help us avoid becoming victims of crimes, but even if we are victims of crime the vast majority of us can bounce back. The people who are at greater risk of criminal activity is the vulnerable population. By definition, the vulnerable population – those who struggle to protect themselves against those who prey upon them – are those who have the most to lose when we reject criminal and social accountability. The elderly, the physically and mentally challenged, the young people, the poor are going to be one ones who are hardest hit by a softer approach to crime.
I understand the need for a rights-based approach to the justice system and I believe that some who find themselves on the wrong side of the law have issues that need to be addressed; however, let’s not forget to protect those who have the most to lose. In a civil society, we have to find the line between punishment and permissiveness. Remember, long before the Constitution of the United States was ever written, the Old Testament noted, “Thus has the Lord of hosts said, ‘Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother; and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.’” (Zechariah 7:9-10)
Think About It!

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