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The Joyce Foundation recently released a study they conducted, analyzing a host of government programs to employ ex-offenders for the purpose of preventing recidivism. Because experts agree that one of the best indicators of an ex-offender staying out of prison is gainful employment, it is worth it better understand these programs and ways that they can improve.
You can download the entire report Here.
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Wood caught fire when tased by police
A Lancaster, Ohio, man briefly ignited in flames after be tased by local police. 31-year-old Daniel Wood, had been inhaling a chemical spray to get a high when he ran from police. Wood was resisting arrest by biting and kicking officers, when he was tased. The taser briefly set fire to Wood’s clothing—most likely due to the flammable spray he was huffing—and officers quickly patted out the flames. Wood did not sustain any serious injuries as a result of the fire.
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Bank robbers seem to be trying a new tactic that seems counter-intuitive to the casual observer: leaving their personal information with the bank they are robbing. Last week we reported on a case where a robber gave the teller his name and account information before robbing the bank, and now there is this guy…
A Murray, Utah, man recently entered a local Washington Federal Savings Bank and handed the teller a note demanding money. After receiving the money, the man fled, leaving the note behind. The note proved very useful to the investigation because it turns out the robber wrote the note on the back of a recent drug screening information sheet, complete with his name, birth date, and social security number.
The man’s attorney has no comment.
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Alfred Blumstein and Kiminori Nakamura, of Carnegie Mellon University, recently published a study that indicates there is a point when past-offenders pose no greater threat to society than average citizens. The researchers call for a reexamination of background check information to exclude offenses for offenders who longer pose a threat.
Based on historical data, the study finds that offenders who commit robbery, burglary, or aggravated assault as 18-years-old, but do not re-offend, no longer pose a threat to society at about age 26.
In addition, the study found that the age of the offender at the time of the offense is a factor. In general, younger offenders (age 16) took 8.5 years before they longer posed a threat, but older offenders (age 20) took much less time, at only 4.4 years.
The researchers propose that more analysis is needed, but the preliminary numbers indicate that offenders who do not re-offend for as little as 4.4 years (depending on age and offense) generally pose no greater threat to society than individuals who have never been arrested and should not be denied employment or other opportunities based on their record after that time has passed.
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The Daily Mail is reporting that British Justice Secretary, Jack Straw wants to publish all criminals’ crimes and sentences online for easy public access. The information is already public, but it is not easily accessible—having to go to the court hearing or waiting on a news media story. Publishing the data in one official location would allow the public easier access to the information, despite the objections of some who say the proposed site would violate criminals’ right to privacy and may make them targets for attack.
The proposed website is only one of some very bold proposals by Secretary Straw. Other initiatives include, informing the public of repeat offenders in the area by leaflet and making criminals wear bright orange “Community Payback” bibs while doing community service. For more details on the proposals, click the link above.
Do you think criminals’ crimes and sentences should be made more readily available to the public? Leave a comment.
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