Issue Position: Criminal Justice System

Issue Position

Individuals who do the crime should serve the time. However, we also need to ensure that those with mental health problems receive treatment. We need a system that helps juvenile offenders so they don't become repeat, lifetime offenders. Inmates need to be prepared for re-entry into society and given job training so they can become productive citizens.

When an offender has served his time and demonstrated his or her ability to be a productive and constructive citizen, he or she should have his rights restored. When someone is contributing in appositive way to society and performing the obligations and responsibilities of a citizen, he or she should have the privileges of citizenship and be allowed to vote and receive licenses.

We need to have strong victim assistance programs to ensure that those who have been victimized by crime have assistance to recover, including counseling and guidance through the criminal justice system.

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