Critical Thinking 3d

[Diana Rhoads]

After discussing the issues and looking at different points of view, what is your reasonable point of view. Why? Include a brief description of your values. Use the back of this sheet of paper to explain your point of view.
After considering the article and reviewing several excerpts, my point of view is that Doris still needs to complete at least probation, and possibly some time served for the escape. She ultimately still needs to pay her dues. However, 10-20 years is too harsh of a sentence for her first infraction. I do believe, Doris did not have the support she needed from the beginning from her family and or her legal counsel to fully explain to her any options that were possible such as an appeal or time off for good behavior, etc. I am bothered by her grandfather’s position to assist in her escape. I was unable to find out any information as to what his thought process was on this.
Escaping from prison and then being a model citizen could become the norm in society. She could learn from her experience and help other women in these situations. With probation, speaking engagements, talking to young impressionable youth. Through the article she was able to raise 3 children teaching them to be responsible citizens and to avid drugs use. She has the poor experience she went through as a guide in developing youth.
I do believe the governor should grant her clemency but with some time served for the escape and then probation with the goal of working with an organization that supports ethics and accountability.

[Lindsay Rachow]

Diana -
I enjoyed reading your response! A little different than mine - but one point it seemed like we agreed on was her escaping prison...and also the help she received from her grandfather. I too thought that 10-20 years was harsh - but then I thought, what if she was in charge of a drug ring? What would have happened if she did not get arrested - would she still be this model citizen? Great discussion - talk with you tomorrow!

[Drew Holness]

Diana
I do whole heartedly agree that 10-20 years is extreme and great points with your options for time off for good behavior or even a follow up week in jail so that the state can save face… My views are conditional to the circumstances and could have been different if there were any evidence additional unlawful behavior.

[Amanda Kogut-Rosenau]

Diana I liked your perspective on this and while I support the idea that Doris' initial sentence was too harsh, I think your analysis assumes some facts that aren't substantiated by the reading:

1. We don't know what Doris' youth or family support was like. If her grandfather assisted in springing her from prison, I might even conclude the opposite, that she had a very strong support system.

2. The article doesn't mention anything about her legal counsel, so we can't make any conclusions about this.

[Lorrie Lutz]

This is interesting. There is a body of work led by the Georgetown Center on Juvenile Justice Reform (currently occurring in over 100 jurisdictions across the country) addressing Crossover Youth. The idea is that youth who start out in the child welfare system and then "crossover" to the juvenile justice system (about 54% nationally) should be treated differently. That their trauma in fact impacted their illegal behavior and that the court should know this and take it into consideration. The questions that you are raising to some extent say "I NEED MORE INFORMATION"... which is always a good thing to note. And while we don't always have the luxury of time to garner additional information--for the purpose of our general approach to leading problem solving for the people that we serve... asking for more information is a very good thing.