Book Excerpt

"Ms. Shields, I understand you've been out in my hometown holding discussions with aldermen and the public," Drawlin said, "I want to hear your ideas straight from you rather than second hand."

"My ideas," she hesitated, "My ideas have to do with the whole concept of incarceration, jails, state prisons and the federal prisons. But, before I begin, I want to ask you a simple but important question, Senator. Why do we imprison people at all?" Amy asks, innocently.

Without a pause, Senator Drawlin answers, "Why, we have to separate these people from law-abiding society for safety and security of the common people and to provide punishment where punishment is due. We try to reform and rehabilitate these miscreants and restore them to the community to almost no avail, there is so much recidivism. These people repeat their offenses as though they don't count. We need to assure our citizens that there is a consequence to criminal activity and deter those who think they can get away with such behavior by keeping our eyes on them," he looked from Alex to Amy, "and we do that by putting them in cells under guard. But you know all that."

"Yes, Senator, thank you. Your words, 'we have to separate these people from law-abiding society' highlights the core issue. My belief is that these offenders are of a distinct society, different from 'ours,' those of us who believe in laws and rules and tolerate them for safety, security and comfort." Amy continues.

"And what if we're wrong? Maybe these criminals feel they have a separate 'society' that has a right to exist, anarchists, if you will, not caring for the solid benefits of the rule of law they get at all and preying upon the 'believers' and others, including their own cronies, as a part of their creed. What if we're wrong and they shouldn't be punished at all?"

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