Monday, September 18, 2006
recidivism
recidivism - n - Repeated or habitual relapse, as into crime.
A major problem with our legal system is that it leaves convicts few options other than continuing in a life of crime. In theory, a criminal has paid his debt to society once he's finished serving his sentence. Realistically, he's unemployable at any but the most menial jobs, which means he's forced to keep on paying that supposedly discharged debt indefinitely. Is it any surprise that recidivism is so common?
George Bernard Shaw(1856-1950), a Fabian socialist who claimed to be a better playwright than Shakespeare, had an idea that bears closer examination. Shaw recognized the problem I've outlined above and suggested a solution. Suppose a man is convicted of a non-violent crime, something other than rape or murder, e.g., robbing the local Quikki Mart. Shaw suggested releasing the man with a warning and with no public record kept. Suppose our released criminal doesn't take the hint and robs Apu a second time. Release him with a sterner warning and still nothing on the public record. If he falls back a third time, execute him for being an incorrigible criminal. The more I think about it, the more I can't help feeling that this may be the best solution.
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