Barnes Storming: Throwing the book at the prison system

What I’m about to say may be the written equivalent of taking a bazooka and pointing it directly at my own feet, but what the hell. You can’t live life with the middle of the fence planted firmly up your butt.

During my weekly tour of the Internet for rant-worthy news, I hit on the Associated Press article announcing the United States Supreme Court voted to defend a Pennsylvania decision that will only give well-mannered state prison inmates access to reading material. Now I’m doubtfully the most politically astute being on the planet – my disdain for reading anything dealing with the United States government stems from a horrible experience with ninth-grade civics for 180 days – but I couldn’t help myself. I stopped myself from typing the web address for my favorite online poker site and had myself a little read.

According to the AP story, an official 6-3 vote has given Pennsylvania prisons the right to use newspapers and magazines as rewards for good inmate behavior. An earlier challenge that this program would violate prisoners’ constitutional rights under the First Amendment apparently failed to tug at the heartstrings of court justices. For now, it looks as if the convicted axe murderers in the Keystone State won’t be getting their July issues of Cosmo and Ladies’ Home Journal.

While you might figure I’d bemoan this court ruling because I’m a writer and, therefore, naturally inclined to fight to the death for people to retain their right to free speech or access to all written work, I have to side with the judges this time. I promise this won’t become a habit. I say it’s about time someone in this country grew the balls needed to end the free ride so many violent offenders enjoy these days. In fact, I think prison officials need to take everything but the right to breathe and eat from inmates who continue to reject rehabilitation efforts.

Before anyone searches for the 666-like mark of the conservative Republican beast on my body, ask yourself this question: Despite all the tough-guy posturing our military leaders, and especially President Bush, have displayed regarding the war in Iraq, doesn’t it seem like this nation of “freedom fighters” has become a quintessential pansy toward its own people? We give billions of dollars each year to lazy individuals and call it welfare. We arrest a man who unloads an entire clip from a .45 mm pistol into the body of a single mother because he needed money for crack, put him behind bars and then let him get an associates degree in computer repair and call that justice. I call it embarrassing, weak, and far too liberal for my tastes.

When I was a rookie newspaper reporter, I covered the trial of a 19-year-old male who executed a family of four after he and his friends invaded their home in search of money to buy more guns. One of the victims was a five-year-old boy. Police found him face down in the hallway, three shots in his back. He was thought to have been killed as he ran toward his room, probably to hide from the “bad guys.”

Thankfully, the jury found that teenager guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced him to death. Unfortunately, while awaiting the executioner’s needles, this ruthless killer has been able to recline in his cell and pass the time by flipping the pages of whatever magazine or book he so desires. Oh, the agony of life behind bars! What ever happened to “go to jail, do not pass Go, do not collect $200”? Now it seems you can get the prison bus to stop at the local library and get a card.

Therefore, for the record, I’d like to salute the Supreme Court on a job well done. While a minor victory for the good guys, it seems like some justice has been served.

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storm trooper says on 2006-06-29 13:45:04 about Throwing the book Comment to Judy--I think the operative word you used here is offender! I feel the article is right on. Even though they are non-violent, most have stolen from others to support their drug habit causing millions of dollars in loss from individuals who likely can't afford those loses. Rights--what rights did those victims have. Some of your first time offenders violate parole just to return to prison because life on the inside is much easier than the outside. Make is harder on the inside and maybe the will see the advantage of rehab. Keep up the great work courts!!!

Judy says on 2006-06-29 05:37:29 about Throwing the Book.... Being a writer you should have done your research before writing such an opinion. Your reference to the "violent" offenders is rather off balance. If you look at the statistics you will see that over 85% of federal inmates today are first time nonviolent offenders! If you need some assistance with this project, I will be more than happy to assist you.

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