Kerik on Flawed System

Flawed System

Bernard Kerik was the chief of police in New York City, and then spent time behind bars. "The system is flawed," he says. The system annihilates people's lives, destroys their careers, and destroys families. Kerik mentions one commercial fisherman who lost his license and is spending three years in prison for "catching too much fish." This is one example of the flaws in the system. Kerik also comments on the political pressures on law enforcement officials. Ethics are often taking a back seat to political expediency and reputation.

The American people need to be educated about what is going on, Kerik notes. People need to know what is going wrong, and members of congress need to respond. Prison sentences should never be "life sentences" in the sense that people cannot be penalized the rest of their lives for one mistake. The label of "convicted felon" debilitates a person and essentially delegitimizes them for life.

Kerik is right. We do need to fix the system. It is deeply flawed on many levels, and a thorough overhaul is in order. The first step would be to decriminalize drugs. Drug use should not be considered criminal behavior. Instead of overcrowding prisons with drug offenders, law enforcement resources should target more important crimes. Second, Kerik points out that a prison term does not end when the person is released. It is critical to enable people to get back on their feet and integrate into the community and a career without stigma or sanction. Finally, it is important to take cues from other countries and implement a more reform and rehabilitation-minded prison system. Punitive measures may work with some prisoners, but most of them will be worse off -- thus reducing overall quality of life in the country.