Its important to emphasize the fact that the high level of incarceration does not stem from abnormally high crime rates, is but instead linked more strongly to our nation`s sentencing practices, and drug policies, both which have been developed (supposedly) to be "tough" on crime. This "tougher" and harsher stance is not as effective as approaches other nations use, which focus more on crime prevention and rehabilitation. Observe: Impact of incarceration compared to other interventions, "A variety of research demonstrates that investments in drug treatment, interventions with at risk families, and school completion programs are more cost-effective than expanded incarceration as crime control measures.
Regarding drug use, A RAND analysis concluded that the expenditure of $1 million to expand mandatory minimum sentencing would result in a national decrease in drug consumption of 13 kilograms, while dedicating those same funds to drug treatment would reduce consumption by 100 kilograms.
The above site goes further in its conclusion: Implications for A Responsible Public Debate " During the last 30 years of incarceration growth, we have learned a great deal about the financial and social costs and limited effectiveness of incarceration on crime rates. While incarceration is one factor affecting crime rates, its impact is more modest than many proponents suggest, and is increasingly subject to diminishing returns. Increasing incarceration while ignoring more effective approaches will impose a heavy burden upon courts, corrections and communities, while providing a marginal impact on crime. Policymakers should assess these dynamics and adopt appropriate resources and support for programming, treatment and community support.
SPIRITUAL PERSPECTIVE
Consider the spiritual perspective as it relates to the following from above "...We have learned a great deal about the financial and social costs and limited effectiveness:,,, and ",,,increasingly subject to diminishing returns..." You see, at lest two spirit beings were working behind the scene in human affairs: The Spirit of Poverty collaborated directly with humankind when it came to the financial costs. The so-called "war on crime" by way of harsher prison sentences have produced the unsustainable explosion in the prison population as show on the above chart. When considering the root cause "psychologically" the weight of the evidence points to negative perceptions of the indigenous, racial animus, selective media coverage of factual crime stories and or unrealistic presentations of crime in drama stories. All of which creates a LIMITED PERSPECTIVE which in this particular case confirms the presence of a poverty mindset.
A poverty mind set is also displayed whenever the influential impact reveals anything that produces "...Increasingly subject to diminishing returns." Furthermore, "LACK" comes from the evil one, and encompasses a lack of resources or money, scarcity, inferiority, feelings of insecurity and/or poorness. Any time we agree with "lack" we`re to some degree, under poverty`s influence. The Spirit of Poverty`s assignment is to prevent us from being fruitful.
Next the Spirit of Bondage combined with humans when it came to social costs based on the same unsustainable explosion in prison populations, but the Spirit of Bondage slithers in a different way. This evil being injects specific kinds of thoughts, arouses mental images, and stirs emotions which produces an inability or constant refusal of its victims to repent from making unhealthy choices, and stimulates self-centeredness which equates to sin. Eph:6-12 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood..." This passage confirms that evil spirit beings are operating behind the scene of the physical universe. With the above chart in mind, think about the dark angels persuasive role in what`s typical in American prison communities. I refer to how they consistently ignore rehabilitation.
I read the following and it speaks volumes that reveal the presence and activity of the Spirit of Bondage. It speaks by giving us a peak inside the prison community, whereby addressing the consequences when leadership in the prison communities ignore rehabilitation while favoring more punitive approaches. Taken from Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology. Volume 39 The Sociological Study of the Prison Community by F.E. Hayes
Professor Norman S. Hayes and his assistant Ellis Ash, of the University of Washington have published studies of the prison community as a social group based upon the technique of the participant observer.
"It was some months before the pattern of the prison community began to appear as something distinct from the official organization of the institution. Work was divided on the basis of crews. Place of residence in cell houses was determined by crews. Men were under ridged supervision. The population was made up of incorrigibles, trusties, and the "fish" (newcomers). The organization of the inmates was a sub-rosa one aimed at the obtaining of goods and services denied by the administration. "Conniving" constituted a basic process in the interaction of the inmates. It provided daily training in a code of deception. Gambling was facilitated by the inmates who made the rounds of the cells to deliver study papers or aid in school work. "Politicians" are the key men in the conniving process. They may or may not include "the right guys", the small select group of natural "con-wise". The prison community with its conniving, its perversions, and exchange of crime techniques re-enforce the behavior tendencies which society wishes to prevent. " We cannot expect to break down anti-social habits in a atmosphere that is distinctly anti-social. If the function of a prison is to protect society, the prisoner must learn during his incarceration how to live in society. The punitive attitude has been tried and found wanting."
Envision the invisible puppet master gloating over his continued success relative to reinforcing anti-social habits within prison communities. Its significant to note how Professor Hayes and his assistant Ellis Ash made the distinction between the prison community from the official organization of the prison. They weren`t the only ones who made this distinction. Make no mistake, Satan and his cohorts made the distinction too. Moreover, since these spirit beings have a far greater intellect than humans, they were able to create the uniquely evil centripetal force within the prison community.
Reader, when you examine the above chart, ask yourself which spiritual beings are having their way with U.S. penial systems? Are angels of light or dark angels presiding over penial institutions in America? Jesus called Satan the Father of lies. Do you think Satan would lead lawmakers to implement laws and policies that focus more on crime prevention, or more sever punishments? Do you think the evil Spirit of Bondage would lead humans to focus on rehabilitation or tougher and harsher sentencing practices?
Consider the following article by Laura Hancock, Cleveland.com written after the election date of 11/06/2018 in Ohio, Issue 1 was on the ballet. Issue 1 a constitutional amendment that would have reduced the penalties of some drug crimes, emphasized treatment and moved away from incarceration was defeated by 63.4%. "The people of Ohio, with their good sense...stepped up in a record fashion, in eight short weeks putting together a coalition of over 3 dozen organizations -ranging from business groups, treatment groups, elected officials, Republicans and Democrats, who stood up to say NO to out of state billionaires trying to mess with our state" said David Myhai campaign manager of Vote No! Protect Ohio.
This article goes further, "While many Ohioans said they appreciated the intent behind Issue 1 it was widely criticized as too permanent because it would have been enshrined in the Ohio Constitution and difficult to alter if necessary. Issue 1 would have reclassified possession use and obtaining all drugs to misdemeanors and would have prohibited sending people to prison for drug offenses until the third offense in 24 months. It would have allowed people to attempt to reduce sentences and seek to change felony convictions into misdemeanors among other sweeping changes.
A number of high-profile, out-of-state philanthropists donated millions of dollars to Issue 1; the influx gave the campaign a 14-to-1 fundraising advantage over opponents, but was fodder for criticism. Criminal Justice Reformers behind the amendment argued it was time for a new approach toward drug addiction, since the state`s prisons are overcrowded, and opioid crisis continues to kill Ohioans and state law doesn`t reflect modern research and attitudes toward addiction. The opponents-a group of law enforcement officers, judges and business interests-argued the measure would strip judges of discretion--especially in drug courts, where they say addicts often turn their lives around. They also said it was too soft on crime, especially when considering the potency of small amounts fentanyl and carfentanil.
Next consider what John Wagner, Karoun Dmirjian from the Washington Post recorded 12/18/2018 The article entitled:
Senate Overwhelmingly Backs Overhaul Of Criminal Justice System
" The Senate on Tuesday overwhelmingly passed a sweeping overhaul of the criminal justice system, after a remarkable political shift from republicans who voted in large numbers to save money by reducing prison sentences, handing a rare bipartisan victory to President Trump.
The First Step Act passed on a vote of 87 to 12, with dozens of republicans, including holdout majority leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky), joining all 49 members of the democratic caucus to approve legislation that even some GOP supporters fear could leave them vulnerable to charges of being soft on crime. Senate judiciary committee chairman Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) tried to allay those concerns shortly before the final vote, stressing that Trump "wants to be tough on crime, but fair on crime"- and had told him personally that he had his "pen ready to sign this bill." And minutes after the vote, Trump tweeted his congratulations to the Senate, stressing that his "Job is to fight for all citizens, even those who have made mistakes."
"This will keep our communities safer, and provide hope and a second change, to those who earn it," he wrote on twitter, "In addition to everything else, billions of dollars will be saved. I look forward to signing this into Law." The First Step Act WOW! A sweeping overhaul of the criminal justice system indeed! Although it does not apply to state jail and prisons, a tremendous shift has occurred. In my thinking its a strong probability that angels of light were working behind the scene exerting their influence upon the legislative process for the First Step Act as it was being crafted. Scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth. Subsequently, this particular remarkable political shift came to fruition as republicans embraced the truth which they had previously ignored. Dark angles would have continued to deceive humankind into believing that following the tougher and harsher stance even though doing so has been proven to be far less effective as crime prevention and rehabilitation. Do you think these same crime prevention and rehabilitation approaches used by other nations will create less or more opportunities for more people to achieve the abundant life Jesus offers?
When looking at the nations on the above chart can you see where Satan is best at protecting his interest? Remember, Jesus said, "You can detect them by the way they act, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit." Look once more at the above chart, and I pray it becomes obvious, so much so, that you can discern the evil beast that`s nurturing, protecting, and still trying to maintain control over the penial institutions in America. Knowing the evil one, this battle is far from over. However, the First Step Act has been graciously provided as a ray of hope pointing to good prevailing over evil.
Amen and Amen.
