Lydia floats an intriguing idea

Written by Alan Bean
Senator Lydia Chassaniol

I have been highly critical of Mississippi Senator Lydia Chassaniol.  Or, more accurately, I have been critical of the Mississippi political and journalistic establishments for not caring about Chassaniol’s intimate ties to a racist organization.  Nonetheless, Ms. Chassaniol is a savvy politician with a better-than-average grasp of criminal justice issues. 

At the moment, the state of Mississippi is in a neck-and-neck race with Louisiana and Texas for the dubious distinction of having the highest incarceration rate in the union.  Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your viewpoint), Mississippi and Louisiana are two of the poorest states in the nation and they have been paying a dreadful price for their lock-em-up mania.  Senator Chassaniol asks why we can’t place folks we don’t want to parole but can’t afford to incarcerate on house arrest. 

I’m not sure its a workable solution, but it would certainly save the state a lot of money.

3 thoughts on “Lydia floats an intriguing idea”

  1. It sounds like the kind of thing that Scott Henson would advocate in his “Grits for Breakfast” blog. It could be expanded as a stricter form of probation for folks who are viewed as high risk for ordinary probation. I think it would require additional training for probation and parole officers, and, for potential parolees, some extensive job training and job development for them. Being on house arrest without a meaningful job is a pretty good ticket back to the slammer. Thanks, Lydia, for your post. (Am I correct in thinking Lydia Bean is the author of this post–or is it Alan Bean speaking of Senator Lydia’s proposal?)

  2. It’s Alan speaking of Senator Lydia’s proposal. Outside-the-box proposals get people thinking about the meaning and purpose of punishment so, even if they are ultimately discarded as untenable, they play an important role in the process. The budget crisis is forcing states like MS to review their entire corrections regime and that too is a good thing.
    Alan

  3. I’m grateful for Senator Lydia’s proposal. I hope she reads this blog and knows that we can be on the same side of some issues, even though our motivations may be different. Way to go on this, Senator Lydia.

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