This is an article written by the New York Times discussing how as the general population grows older, so does the population behind bars. This article then goes on to discuss how it costs prisons and essentially the government more money to keep these elderly members behind bars because they require more attention and medical care. The New York Times then continues to say that the only way to solve this issue is by lessening sentences and to release these elderly criminals. However, there is a problem with this thinking because one cannot simply release criminals who were put behind bars for a reason. The New York Times counters this argument with a study conducted in 2012 by the American Civil Liberties Union which found that “only 4% of
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As stated in class, amendments 4-8 deal with defendant rights. This article questions the 8th amendment as it states, “The best answer for the future is for state legislatures to keep moving away from the disproportionately harsh sentencing laws that brought us to this point in the first place” (New York Times A22) this quote from the article demonstrates how the writers feel about the 8th amendment and more specifically how the legislature has not adhered to the 8th amendment. The 8th amendment states: “…nor cruel and unusual punishment inflicted”, but this article argues that long sentences as well as keeping the elderly and sick behind bars is cruel punishment. However, there is another argument to be had, is it fair to imprison or release one based on age, or does this go against civil rights as all rights and punishments should be extended to all citizens no matter their age, religion, gender, race, ect. One should not be released from imprisonment based solely on age or illness, that would not be constitutional. I think that this article brings up some important topics and issues that relate to civil liberties and civil rights, and I think it will be interesting to find out how our government will handle this issue in the years to
As stated in class, amendments 4-8 deal with defendant rights. This article questions the 8th amendment as it states, “The best answer for the future is for state legislatures to keep moving away from the disproportionately harsh sentencing laws that brought us to this point in the first place” (New York Times A22) this quote from the article demonstrates how the writers feel about the 8th amendment and more specifically how the legislature has not adhered to the 8th amendment. The 8th amendment states: “…nor cruel and unusual punishment inflicted”, but this article argues that long sentences as well as keeping the elderly and sick behind bars is cruel punishment. However, there is another argument to be had, is it fair to imprison or release one based on age, or does this go against civil rights as all rights and punishments should be extended to all citizens no matter their age, religion, gender, race, ect. One should not be released from imprisonment based solely on age or illness, that would not be constitutional. I think that this article brings up some important topics and issues that relate to civil liberties and civil rights, and I think it will be interesting to find out how our government will handle this issue in the years to