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What might 2009 have in store for . . . punishment theory and incarceration rates?

By Douglas A. Berman

I have combined theory and outcomes in this installment of the 2009 "what's in store" series primarily because new theoretical approaches to punishment and sentencing may be essential to changing modern incarceration rates.  Notably, this recent New York Times editorial, headlined "Sen. Webb?s Call for Prison Reform," documents that at least one prominent newspaper and one prominent politician are eager for action in 2009:  This country puts too many people behind bars for too long. Most elected officials, afraid of being tarred as soft on crime, ignore these problems.  Sen. Jim Webb, a Democrat of Virginia, is now courageously stepping into the void, calling for a national commission to re-assess criminal justice policy.  Other members of Congress should show the same courage and rally to the cause...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on January 02, 2009 (boomark / email).