Pardon me, sir
As one of their last acts in office, Governors have often pardon prisoners whom they feel have “served their time.” Check out this ARTICLE on Mississippi’s former Governor Haley Barber recently pardoned a slew (that’s a southern term) of prisoners, including 14 who were sentenced for murder. The State of Mississippi has filed for and rec’d an injunction on 4 of these pardons. For his part, former Governor Barber claims that the Mississippi Parole Board agreed with 90% of his pardons. The new governor does not (to say the least) agree with Barber’s decision.
Thoughts?
I was under the understanding that the governor in a state has the legal power to pardon an inmate. A few things I can pick up from the article. First, some people continues to believe in “Just Deserve” system when we talk about corrections, meaning that some people should just do their time and get their sentence, kind of “Lock them up and throw the key” approach, well I can comment that “One size does not fit all” Mississippi should look into a more open rehabilitation program and become more open minded, not all criminals are the same, it has been proved that the death penalty does not deter crime.
Second, new governor’s argument and point of view looks like a political move for future re-election, as it is very common politician put their hand on matter of the criminal justice system and promote ideas and policies that also in other states had been proved to be wrong. Politics and the criminal justice system should work together but without direct intervention. Don’t the people hire in the criminal justice system are not smart enough to solve this issues, don’t we have not policies and regulations to deal with inmates and their release?
Finally, the media is not helping and continues to promote a social construction of criminal fear among the general population by quoting comments from the people involved in this issue by portraying the “Pardoned” inmates as considered dangerous. This shows that the state of Mississippi is not confident in its rehabilitation programs, and they lack the proper functioning of their correctional facilities.
I don’t like that governors’ have the right to do this. I think by waiting until they are almost out of office just shows that people see this as a bad thing and they wait until it won’t affect them as much. I think people should do their time and if they are seen fit to be let out it should be up to the parole board, not the governor. Even in this article we saw that they couldn’t locate one of the prisoners who were let out. I just don’t see the purpose behind letting governors have this right.
Yikes. In my opinion prisoners are there for a reason and should earn their parole. It is scary to hear people convicted for murder are being let out into the public on short notice to the prisoner themselves. These prisoners are expecting to spend many years incarcerated and suddenly get a break from prison. Like it said in the article, I agree that it is not fair to the victim’s family and friends. Getting let out early on short terms, and knowing you will have to report back to authorities’ leaves a good chance of convicts to flee. Temptation in high.
I’m not sure I understand why the governor is allowed to pardon prisoners from their sentance. I am curious to know if Governor Barber did any research on the criminals in question and the cases and convictions. I also wonder on what grounds does he choose the convicts that he chooses? Is this a random selection? I have never heard of this being done before and it sparks curiousity in my mind. Further research on this is in my near future.
I do think that from time to time pardons are needed although, the article is talking about inmates that have been convicted of murder. I can see why inmates such as Kirby Tate whom is serving a sentance for drug charges would be pardoned; considering its a non-violent crime. I think that his chances of rehabilitation is higher than those of violent crimes. Although, pardons are not the answer to the over filled prison system. We need to start thinking of other alternatives because the system we have right now isn’t working as intended.
I disagree completely with this practice. I don’t think governors should be able to pardon prisoners. Ultimately they’re in charge of the their state, but I believe criminal justice issues and the pardoning of prisoners should be left to the state’s police and court systems. I also can’t quite get my head around why former Mississippi governor Barbour, would simply just pardon the inmates before he left office? If I were him, I would want to leave my post on a high note. The article makes it pretty clear that the state of Mississippi doesn’t support the ex-governor’s actions either. Why would they though?? The governor is in essence letting murderers, rapists and drug dealers walk the street! I just hope that for the sake of Mississippi and the country, that this practice is left to the criminal justice system and politicians. I mean whatever happened to prisoners serving their time?? For the sake of public safety, I just hope Mississippi is viewed as the problem and not the solution when it comes to crime in this country.
It seems unfair that people in authority has such control over American society. To be able to pardon criminals who have committed heinous crimes, that is a power that should not go to only select individuals. In general, it is hard for me to believe and understand how anyone would be capable of making such difficult and controversial decisions since their decisions would affect not only the victims but also society as a whole. I feel that if anyone should have this power, it should be the American society, not just select individuals in power.
I disagree completely with this practice. I don’t think governors should be able to pardon prisoners. Ultimately they’re in charge of their state, but I believe criminal justice issues and the pardoning of prisoners should be left to the state’s police and court systems. I also can’t quite get my head around why former Mississippi governor Barbour, would simply just pardon the inmates before he left office? If I were him, I would want to leave my post on a high note. The article makes it pretty clear that the state of Mississippi doesn’t support the ex-governor’s actions either. Why would they though?? The governor is in essence letting murderers, rapists and drug dealers walk the street! I just hope that for the sake of Mississippi and the country that this practice is left to the criminal justice system and politicians. I mean whatever happened to prisoners serving their time?? For the sake of public safety, I just hope Mississippi is viewed as the problem and not the solution when it comes to crime in this country.
I do not agree with the former Governor only because a sentenced time for an inmate should be the time they serve. I can understand while serving your time you do things to reduce the time you have, but being pardoned for “serving their time” isn’t something that should be pardoned because if that was the case than everyone serving would be pardoned. This idea might be an easy understanding because its a simple fact. I do agree with Mendoza when he said Mississippi is not confident in their rehabilitation programs. The fact is that having people pardoned for whatever reason should not be allowed unless different and new evidence comes up to prove that person not guilty.
I dont agree with the former Governor that “He pardons were intended to allow (the inmates) to find gainful employment or acquire professional licenses as well as hunt and vote,” Barbour said. “My decision about clemency was based upon the recommendation of the Parole Board in more than 90% of the cases.” I find it hard to believe that purpose of the pardon was to provide employment and obtain professional licenses. How does the goverenor expect for these former ex-cons to find work in this post-recession with all of these social-factors that prevent them from obtainning work. Further making the draw to criminal behavior more hard to resist. I do agree with Mendoza when he said “Mississippi is not confident in their rehabilitation programs and it shows that state of mississippi has no real structure of court system ad as of though no really dedicated to restorative justice. How do you expect the family of people that was murder by these individual going to feel? How secure do you think these people feel about the polce and court system.
Reading this article it really bothered me that murderers were let free and their record wiped clean. This makes it seem that they didn’t commit the crime and are being forgiven for what they’ve done without fulfilling their full sentence for the crime committed. It was obvious that if a murderer was let free that they weren’t going to be able to find their where abouts every second of the day, they let one get away which is ridiculous. If it were my family that was affected by one of these murderers I would totally feel like the system cheated my case and justice wasn’t served. There has to be a better system implemented for when judges and governors want to do pardons, strict guidelines should be enforced especially if the governor is stepping down from his position because now he is putting his problems that this may cause on the community and other law enforcement personnel. I understand what Gov. Barbour was trying to do, allowing the inmates another chance at life but the way the situation played out, better planning should have been done.
I think it is bogus that the offenders were able to be released and free to go even though some of the crimes that had been committed were murder cases. The murderers should have at least been on a close watch versus some of the other people that were let go. If they were ever to be let go in the future they should have been watched and given parole at least. Although everyone does deserve a chance, it is not fair to let a violent criminal on the streets if it may be a public concern. I believe that more thought could have been put into the way this was played out and there may have been better options that would be overall better for everyone.
First thing I must say is that I don’t agree with the gesture that the judge made, I don’t think that those four men should be able to walk freely and only have to do daily check-in with the system. Murders shouldn’t be able to walk free and have their record wiped clean. All this does is give them another chance to go kill more people. This is really outrageous to me because there are people who have been wrongly accused of murder and sitting in prison with a life sentence while these men are able to be free. I understand they wanted to give them another chance at life but giving them freedom was not the answer. The reason I say that is because the families that were affected because of their doings would not feel as though justice was served for their lost loved one(s). Lastly, I believe this should have been thought out in a better way because this may lead other murders to believe that she should be able to receive the same treatment.
Completely disgusted! That basically sums up my view on the pardons that the Governors are basically handing out. What does this say to the parents of the victims? That it’s okay to kill people as long as you serve enough time in prison and think about what you have done? I think that this is sending the wrong message to the people of Mississippi and it’s almost as though common sense concerning public safety is being thrown out of the window. Which is something I completely disagree with.