Georgia’s Criminal Justice System on Governor’s Agenda
Main idea
The article essentially tackles the featuring of Georgia’s criminal justice system in the new Governor’s budget. Indeed, the author reports that it has been established beyond doubt that the budget of Georgia is shrinking. Amid the tough economic times and the tightening of fiscal policies in the state of Georgia, among the affected departments, is the criminal justice department. The author outlines the fact that the state of Georgia is spending comparatively too much on the justice system. He observes that at least one in every thirteen citizen in Georgia is under some of form of corrections. With that glaring statistic, he further asserts that the State of Georgia spends at least three million dollars daily in the management and sustenance of the Department of Corrections. This, evidently, is too much and should be subjected to review and correction.
Reasons for choice
I settled for the article because of the succinct way in which it brought out expenditure in the corrections department. This amused my conscience for the irony that continues to pass the test of the day. It surmises that the State of Georgia spends much in the provision of civil and social services. Ordinarily, from a policy point of view, one would expect the state to spend more on economic activities that necessarily provide employment and revenues. Indeed, the fact that the state spends three million dollars a day in the running of the corrections department serves to illustrate the costly nature of civil services which do not necessarily yield direct returns in terms of revenues. It goes a long way in justifying the place of taxation in society.
The author embraces the solutions offered by Governor Deal. He sees a solution in attempting to curb the numbers handled by the corrections department. Accordingly, he proposes alternatives to the custodial nature of corrections and suggests introducing measures such as drug courts and mental health services for non violent offenders. The spirit, really, lies in the reduction of detainees in the corrections department. Accordingly, he intends to reduce the disturbing and colossal statistic of having to reform one in every thirteen of the citizens of Georgia. In addition, he intends to reformulate the policy on illegal drug users. Indeed, the author supports the Governor in questioning the wisdom of imprisoning illegal drug users. The author suggests that it would be better to adopt a modern and effective method of dealing with prisoners other that mere incarceration.
Own conclusion and recommendations
Tackling criminal justice reforms in the face of a shrinking budget must be approached cautiously. It ought to be appreciated that the duty to offer civil services such as correctional services lies squarely on government. From a social contract point of view, the citizenry vest such powers on the state. In fact, the state is allowed the privilege of tax collections for the simple reason that they would in turn provide social and civil services. In that strain, I disagree with the proposals on alternative non custodial measures especially on illegal drug users. Such suggestions are inspired with the view of reducing expenditure at the Correction Department without necessarily reforming these offenders. It is my recommendation that the State of Georgia pump in additional funds and develop a reform program that would utilize the abilities of the prisoners while at the same time allow for rehabilitation programs to be administered.
References
Capelouto, S. (2011, January 11). Georgia's Criminal Justice System on Governor's Agenda. Retrieved from GBP News: http://www.gpb.org/news/2011/01/11/georgia%E2%80%99s-criminal-justice-system-on-governors-agenda
