Star wrote on July 23, 2008 08:47 AM: They better know who they are considering to release.Violent our violent!Plus,they have no way of screening the Psycopaths and Sociopath's.There be re-released into society to perpertrate,victimize all over again.Then they only got a slap on the wrist for any type of abuse to begin with.The abuse of any kind needs to be tried in criminal court.Not Family court.Wake up Nevada.Break the cycle.Speak up.It's our kids there hurting!Your re-elcting these that aren't taking these crimes against woman and children serious!

Whateverusaydear wrote on April 18, 2008 02:20 PM: Just because a family claims their loved one is nonviolent low risk doesn't mean they are nonviolent low risk felons.

He "made a mistake that they are now paying for - a nonviolent financial mistake that you probably have made but didn't get caught at." Oh PLEASE.

I'm sure there's a lot more to the felon's story than you mention. What kind of criminal history does this man have, what was the crime he committed, why did he commit it, what has the felon done to correct his criminal behavior to prove he's not a threat to the community?

Why does the felon's home/job/family become an issue only AFTER he's caught? The thought of that horrible place should be an incentive to do whatever you can to stay out of it in the first place, like getting treatment for your drug/alcohol problem or not being greedy enough to steal or accept stolen property taken from victims. Perhaps the felon should use any and all available programs available to him while in prison, so the parole board can see he's trying to correct his criminal thinking.

Minimizing his crime by labeling it a "mistake" instead of correcting the wrong thinking doesn't help him.

knowaboutit wrote on April 18, 2008 05:42 AM: What part of "non-violent, low-risk" didn't whateverusaydear understand? There are men in that horrible place that have been good workers, husbands and fathers all their lives and made a mistake that they are now paying for-a non-violent financial mistake that you probably have made but didn't get caught at. These men are not a danger and have homes and jobs to go to. I know, because I am married to one of them. Those opposed to non-violent, low-risk offenders being released early should go walk in the inmates shoes for 30 days and their opinions might change.

Steve wrote on April 17, 2008 08:29 PM: Geezelouise,

The reality of the situation is that they have NOT served their time. They are being released early. Also, I have to agree with your statement: "It just doesn't make economic sense to me to keep doing what doesn't work." Simply housing/feeding/pampering/counseling these filthy criminals at taxpayer expense and then releasing them into society to repeat their crimes absolutely doesn't work.

Whateverusaydear wrote on April 17, 2008 07:53 PM: Here is some information.

If you review past articles of the shortage of officers at parole and probation (approximately 50 short), there are not enough officers to adequately supervise the felons. How are these additional felons being monitored when there are not enough officers now? If there any information that can be provided that shows there are enough officers for the task?

Many offenders are granted the privilege of parole on a condition that they must participate in a real treatment program, however there are apparently not enough treatment programs available in the real world. Parolees violate their parole conditions due to continued drug/alcohol usage. Should these individuals be sent to the streets early, without benefit of the tools to combat their addictions that contributed to their violent and nonviolent crimes, and also with inadequate supervision due to staff shortages at parole and probation?

Is there sufficient information to show that there is indeed enough substance abuse counseling available to all affected parolees once they're eligible to be released?

Please, if you have this information about these available substance abuse programs, could they be shared by knowledgeable individuals so we can all know where these treatment programs for thousands are available for parolees to use?

Try not to copout by say "look in the Yellow Pages"... which certified programs by name have a lot of space available and how many beds/spaces are available? What's the cost?

Solutions would include funding for sufficient staffing to monitor the parolees (make sure there is enough staffing for the monitoring authorities) and provide enough funding for substance abuse programs/ training programs before, during and after release from prison. Of course, there is a budget crisis now.

Geezelouise wrote on April 17, 2008 07:07 PM: Everyone has an opinion, but most of them seem to be formed without information and are solely based on emotion.

I hope you that those of you who can't seem to educate yourselves before you decide to share your wisdom do a better job of educating yourselves before you vote.

The reality of the situation is that these people have served their time and are coming out whether you like it or not. It would be a good idea that they have a 12 month transition from the horrors of prison while they are on parole to be monitored before they move in next door to you.

Would you rather they just get out and hit the streets with their prison mentality and without the benefit of some job training and perhaps even drug and/or alcohol counseling.

If you would rather keep paying huge amounts of money to incarcerate people instead of spending it on education and infrastructure, I would love to know why. It just doesn't make economic sense to me to keep doing what doesn't work.

douglas wrote on April 17, 2008 06:03 PM: those "some" people who want the murderers, rapists, child diddlers, carjackers, gang bangers, drug distributors "released early" should have the privilege of housing them.

if i felt that way, i'd expect to take in those "reformed" criminals into my home. if those prisoners should be returned to society, why not in the society/household of their apologists ?

Whateverusaydear wrote on April 17, 2008 04:42 PM: Sounds like some people want felons released early whether or not the felon is a danger to the community, or has no hope of abiding by their terms of a parole grant because the felon refuses to participate in needed programs to ready themselves on the street. Are people actually proposing felons be released early on parole whether or not the felons are a danger to the community or have no intention to obey the conditions of their parole grant?

Parole Board Arrogance wrote on April 17, 2008 03:05 PM: Obviously this Parole Board thinks they are an autonomous state. They hold the liberty of 1000s of people and act so self-righteous and like they are working so hard. Maybe if they'd quit taking 2 hour lunches they’d get something done. This Board moves at a turtle’s speed, if at all, when told to do anything. It does not matter if it’s the NV Supreme Court, or the Legislature. It’s clear that the Court and the Legislation have fired repeated warning shots across the parole board’s bow and they don’t get the message. What do they have to do, put the message on the side of box cars, on the side of the mountain for them to see the writing? It’s time they go! Disband this outdated rehabilitative-philosophy and parole board concept, and enact new statutes under determinate sentencing. Eliminated the Board today, but in the meantime, get someone in there who can be an administrator of paperwork. I commend Buckley for continuing to be a thorn in the Parole Board’s saddle, and hope the Governor can man-up and sack the whole Board and get someone in there who is capable of moving paperwork and making state employees actually work for a pay check. Moreover, someone who does not think the Parole Board is an independent State. I believe Buckley’s exasperated with this do nothing Board, and it would be interesting to hear her true thoughts about this parole board, not clothed in political speak.

douglas wrote on April 17, 2008 02:53 PM: and instead of time off for good behavior, add time for any indication whatsoever of sullen attitude or lack of remorse. isn't incarceration in part, to "rehabilitate" ? seems to me if the convict is sullen, wise-*ss, belligerent, or refuses to strictly obey the rules, his rehab ain't done yet and needs extra time in the oven.

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