Broken System, Criminal Justice, Indigent Defense
One can't help wonder if the most recent study of Louisiana corrections system shows sum 80% of those serving time are doing so for alcohol and other drug related crimes, why we do not see a real move forward to stop this cycle of injustice into the land of eternal struggle.
The people in our Justice system are more than aware of the unbelievable caseloads, and impossible task of handling cases. Judges, Indigent Defense attorney's, all see this nightmare on a regular basis. Police, and other law enforcement no doubt are frustrated, arrest, re-arrest same people for crimes that often escalate as their problems related to their addiction escalate.
It is as though nobody wins, not the individual, not the systems trying to respond, not the community, and clearly not the state and federal government who are trying to fund more of the same. We know that incarcerating people with alcohol and other drug problems is not a cure for their illness nor the problems this brings into our communities. It cost more to handle this public health issue with the incorrect response, in lives, dollars, and quality of life for all people.
The cycle of Addiction, is a plague that can be found in virtually every nook and crannie of struggle in Louisiana. New Orleans can find great releif from the violence and trauma if addiction recovery becomes a priority. If stopping these cycles, becomes a center point to all policy that responds to alcohol/other drug problems we have a real hope of preventing the "forever" span of every social ill you can imagine that seems to blanket Louisiana's history.
We can start with the current plight of thousands in need of intervention, treatment, and comprehensive recovery support currently trapped in the criminal justice system.
The criminal courts and indigent defense systems were broken before the storms, and now, well read this article in TP to see how the struggle continues to see that the rights of those charged with crimes are not pitched to the wind.
It is clear that all people in the system are working hard and trying to do the right thing, my question is can we step away for a moment, and find a way to create a better "system" one that aims to end the repeat episodes of drug related arrests, that actually has real and tangible help built in for those suffering from addicton related illness- we can do better, much much better, and based on the lives and dollars being pitched away, along with rights under threat in our current system, we must do better- to save New Orleans, and our state.
The people in our Justice system are more than aware of the unbelievable caseloads, and impossible task of handling cases. Judges, Indigent Defense attorney's, all see this nightmare on a regular basis. Police, and other law enforcement no doubt are frustrated, arrest, re-arrest same people for crimes that often escalate as their problems related to their addiction escalate.
It is as though nobody wins, not the individual, not the systems trying to respond, not the community, and clearly not the state and federal government who are trying to fund more of the same. We know that incarcerating people with alcohol and other drug problems is not a cure for their illness nor the problems this brings into our communities. It cost more to handle this public health issue with the incorrect response, in lives, dollars, and quality of life for all people.
The cycle of Addiction, is a plague that can be found in virtually every nook and crannie of struggle in Louisiana. New Orleans can find great releif from the violence and trauma if addiction recovery becomes a priority. If stopping these cycles, becomes a center point to all policy that responds to alcohol/other drug problems we have a real hope of preventing the "forever" span of every social ill you can imagine that seems to blanket Louisiana's history.
We can start with the current plight of thousands in need of intervention, treatment, and comprehensive recovery support currently trapped in the criminal justice system.
The criminal courts and indigent defense systems were broken before the storms, and now, well read this article in TP to see how the struggle continues to see that the rights of those charged with crimes are not pitched to the wind.
"If the public defender's office in New Orleans is not adequately funded, then the question will be not if, but when the criminal justice system will cease to function," Hunter wrote, in a brief but blistering ruling that he read from the bench at Criminal Court.
http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/neworleans/index.ssf?/base/news-5/1151131520226690.xml&coll=1
It is clear that all people in the system are working hard and trying to do the right thing, my question is can we step away for a moment, and find a way to create a better "system" one that aims to end the repeat episodes of drug related arrests, that actually has real and tangible help built in for those suffering from addicton related illness- we can do better, much much better, and based on the lives and dollars being pitched away, along with rights under threat in our current system, we must do better- to save New Orleans, and our state.
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