Less Prisoners, More Problems?

                The U.S. currently has the highest incarceration rate in the world.  Our use of mandatory minimum sentencing and harsh enforcement of minor drug infractions have earned us this spot.  However, according to this editorial from theStatesman, the incarceration rates in Texas are declining, partially due to a decrease in crime rates and a refocus on rehabilitation and treatment rather than incarceration.  I personally believe this is a very good thing.  With nearly 1out of every 150 U.S. citizens currently in prison, this nation needs to seriously rethink our incarceration system and the manner in which we deal with crime.  I was glad when I read in this editorial that our state’s prison population is down over 7,000 inmates from just three years ago.  However, this means that there are thousands of empty prison beds now, and we are still paying for these rooms. 

                The Statesman Editorial Board, who authored this article argues that taxpayer money could be better utilized towards fighting crime, or other public safety needs.  They feel the state can consolidate its prisons to free up more money and run our prison system more efficiently.  Personally, this seems like an obvious solution.  It makes little to no sense to run several dozen prisons around the state operating at half capacity, when we could simply have fewer prisons holding more inmates.  This would save taxpayers costs on energy, space, and wages.

                The editorial goes on to argue against the state’s use of privatized prisons, which, although originally thought to boost regional economies, can actually hurt them.  A boom in prison building and privatization in the late 80s and early 90s was brought on by the notion that prisons would bring jobs to small cities.  However, low pay and lack of benefits led to higher turnover (90% turnover in privatized Texas prisons) which eventually hurt these prison towns. 

                This editorial utilizes numerous credible resources, the main one being sociology professor Gregory Hooks, the leading researcher on prisons and privatization.  He agrees with the editorial board that privatization of prisons has a negative impact on employment and local economies.  Both he and the editorial board argue that the state should consolidate our prisons to help employment and save taxpayer dollars.  I feel our current prison system has numerous flaws and following this editorial’s advice is a step in the right direction.

Texas Supreme Court to Determine if Feelings Have Value

                We’ve all had an emotional attachment to a pet.  But how much was that attachment worth?  That is what the Texas Supreme Court is convening this week to decide.  After evaluating a case involving the accidental euthanasia of a Labrador named Avery, the Court will determine whether the pet’s owners’ emotional attachment to their dog warrants financial compensation. 

                The Texas Supreme Court is ultimately deciding whether or not to turn over a ruling made by the 2^nd Court of Appeals in Fort Worth, which sided with the dog’s owners, the Medlens.  After the Medlen’s dog Avery ran away and landed in an animal shelter, they found they were unable to pay the $80 to release the animal.  They claimed ownership of the dog and said they would return shortly with the money.  However, after they eventually returned with the $80, they found their dog had been wrongfully put down, despite a tag on Avery’s cage claiming the dog had been claimed.  The Medlens sued the shelter, but the county civil court dismissed the case.  The 2^nd Court of Appeals eventually sided with the Medlens, but now the case has made it to the Texas Supreme Court for consideration.

                While it may seem obvious that the Medlens should be compensated – a dog is a member of the family- the Medlen’s case doesn’t seem hopeful.  One of the judges made the slippery slope argument that if the law allowing compensation for emotional attachment passed, it could subsequently be applied to birds and fish in a bowl. 

                I truly do hope the Texas Supreme Court decide to rule in favor of the Medlens, but regardless, it will be interesting to see whether they determine if a financial value can be applied to an emotional attachment.