"REFORM FIRST"
|
Criminal Justice Reform:
Reform First is a plan developed by Steve Ipsen and designed to reform the broken criminal justice system in Los Angeles County.
The current policies of the Los Angeles District Attorney's office have contributed to massively overcrowded prisons and the recent Supreme Court order to release approximately 40,000 convicted felons over the next few years. Too many non-violent, youthful offenders in LA County are given the "felony" label after a plea bargain, to get out of jail sooner, and find themselves unemployable because of the "felony" label. A felony conviction blocks their path towards an education, professional and vocational licenses, and even minimum wage jobs.
Spending precious resources to re-integrate criminals back into society after they are branded with a "felony" label is the wrong approach to decreasing recidivism and reducing crime. If we focus on reforming non-violent and non-serious offenders before they are labeled felons, they can have a productive future, re-integrate and thereby, contribute to society.
|
|
Office Policies which Mandate Premature Felony Convictions Increases Crime:
The current policy of the Los Angeles District Attorney's office compels tens of thousands of non-violent, youthful offenders to accept a “felony" label. This policy severely limits the offender's economic and educational opportunities thereby making recidivism virtually inevitable. Because all felony convictions must be disclosed on job applications and legally bar the offender from obtaining educational loans or participating in work study programs for college, those who are branded with "felony" label have little recourse other than a return to crime. This gives rise to a never ending cycle of depression, anger and resentment leading to drug and alcohol abuse as well as escalating criminal behavior.
High felony conviction rates may help a politician win election, but at the risk of public safety. With runaway numbers of felony convictions, the overzealous policies of the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office misguidedly manufacture exorbitant numbers of unemployable people. Without any realistic possibility of employment, the economic stress engendered by a "felony" label leads to isolation, substance abuse and, in predictably disturbing numbers, a return to criminal activity. In short, the failed policies of the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office have contributed to a decades long problem for which a solution is long overdue.
|
|
Steve Ipsen is a 25 Year Veteran Prosecutor and Legislative Problem Solver: Tough But Fair
Steve Ipsen is a “tough on crime,” but “fair on people” prosecutor, and a proven legislative problem solver. In 2008, Steve wrote the California Penal Code section that fixed the broken and expensive parole process in the state of California. It was estimated by the legislative analyst to save tens of millions of dollars by eliminating frequent and costly parole hearings for convicted murderers who have little to no chance for parole. This legislative fix was designed to be fair to both victims and the criminal offender.
Today, the law spares the victim’s family from having to unnecessarily re-live their loved one's murder while sparing the offender from the false hopes of an unrealistically premature opportunity for parole and a return to the community. California tax-payers saved millions when an inefficient system was eliminated thanks to Steve Ipsen's vision and problem solving approach.
The Solution: Reform First
When elected District Attorney in 2012, Steve will implement a new perspective on crime in Los Angeles called "Reform First". The Reform First approach will give youthful and non-violent offenders an opportunity to avoid extended incarceration and the "felony label" by completing a structured, multi-year and closely monitored program. At the core of the program is mandatory full-time work at a paid job where they receive a W-2 form or, in the alternative, vocational training coupled with full-time community service. Substance abuse classes, as needed, and other life-skills training will also be mandatory. Minor violations of these requirements will be met with immediate and measured incremental days in custody. More significant violations will provide grounds for judicial termination of the program and the imposition of an immediate sentence.
By giving non-violent offenders a powerful incentive to participate in the economy through working, paying taxes and committing to a productive life, both society and the nonviolent offender will reap the substantial benefits of true reform. Taxpayers will save tens of thousands of dollars by avoiding the counterproductive costs of unnecessary incarceration and youthful offenders will earn their way clear of the severe consequences of a felony record.
|