this is one of the most disturbing things i’ve read in quite some time. unfortunately, this is probably a pretty accurate representation of these types of instances as a whole (and why i WILL help reform the criminal justice system in the united states):
from joan m. cheever, “back from the dead” in 2006
cited in dressler’s crim law text, 5th ed (355): (this is in reference to 589 people released from prison after Furman):
“322 of the 589 inmates were years later released from prison on parole. Of that number, 78 were re-incarcerated thereafter because they were convicted of a new crime. Of this number, 42 were convicted of drug or alcohol-r[el]ated offenses, burglary, or aggravated assault; two were convicted of attempted murder; two were guilty of manslaughter, and three committed new murders, one of whom would later be executed for that crime. Nine of the inmates who were never released killed persons in prison, tow of whom were again sentenced to death for their new crimes. Ten of the “lifers” committed suicide in prison. And, overall, seven members of the ‘class of 1972′ were later determined to be innocent of the crimes that sent them to Death Row.”
my only commentary here is that i’m surprised it was only 78 that were re-incarcerated. pretty small recidivism rate for previous death row felons, if i remember my statistics from undergrad completely. this makes me miss criminology and sociology soooooo much.
back to reading. 3 more days of class then spring break.
