Black Brothers Choose Corporal Alternative Sentencing


by Derrick Rodrick Jones <D_33@hotmail.com>

Well depite being tough disciplinarian on my brother Deshawn he still was doing wrong but this time I couldn't stop him before he got into real big _s_h_i_t_! Caught commiting Aggravated Robbery!!! He went to court and his lawyer said told me that he's looking at 15-20 years! My heart dropped! As well as his! I went home to write a letter to the judge because I though he might consider putting him on probation since he's elgible!

I went to do research online and found a website "Citizens For Effective Justice". CFEJ is a loosely-knit organization of people, from all walks of life and political persuasions, who want changes made in the way our criminal justice system deals with the problems of crime and prison overcrowding. And who are willing to take an active role in accomplishing these changes. Their commonalties are:

1) "FED UP" with having a criminal justice system which wastes our tax dollars and does little to reduce crime.

2) Are working towards SOLUTIONS, instead of just complaining about the problems.

3) Are working toward the implimentation of an alternative system which would result in the criminals being afraid, instead of the citizens.

4) Believe the proposed changes will make our streets safer; but, wouldn't cost a lot of tax dollars

5) Believe that issues related to crime control should target ONLY those people who have had the benefit of due process and been determined to be guilty, rather than the population as a whole.

6) Realize that the "tug of war" between those who demand consequences for criminal behavior and those who seek to rehabilitate the offender must be stopped, for any significant progress to be realized. Our goal is to transition to a system where these objectives are complimentary, rather than mutually exclusive.

7) Believe that, together, we CAN make a difference!

Well their prupose is to introduce

C. A.S stands for corporal alternative sentencing. These proposed programs would offer both the defendant and the courts an intermidiary sanction. The defendant, through his or her attorney, would offer to sign affidavits waiving their rights against corporal sentencing under all current interpretations of the Eighth Amendment. The court would then have the option of either rejecting this option; or, acceptong it and sentencing the defendant to a C. A.S. program, in lieu of prison.

These programs involve FAR more than JUST corporal punishment.... During the (approx.) 24 to 72 hours before and (approx.) 24 hours after the sentence being carried out, a specially trained staff member would be giving the inmate written assignments, related to their crime, to complete and spending a considerable number of hours talking with them. The goal of this, combined with the punishment and any appropriate, court mandated, follow-up rehabilitaion programs, is to effect a change in inmate's attitudes and views regarding their crime / criminal lifestyle.

SPT-3, 14/2 utility cord is the heavy, well insulated, flat wire which is used to connect landscape lighting. It resembles flat, household extension cord; but, it's considerably heavier and has a higher rubber insulation to wire ratio than the household cord does. If any of you want to see what I'm referring to, stop by your local building supply store and go to the aisle where the landscape lighting materials are sold. It is usually sold in either 50 or 100 foot packages. There are two different types -- only one of which is suitable for use... The "polarized" variety, which has small ridges on one of the two strands is too likely to tear The type I advocate is smooth on both portions, with only the single "channel" down the center. One possible exception I might make, is in the case of violent criminals; but, since I don't know how much damage the polarized variety would do, I'm not prepared to endorse it, even in that context. If the right circumstances presented themselves (in an "unofficial" situation), I might be open to the idea of trying some of it, and basing any later decisions about it upon that. Some people (over)react emotionally when they first realize what it is that I'm talking about using. They should bear in mind that this reaction is something which will be shared by the criminal who is facing being the prospect of being whipped with this material. Part of "the idea" behind the use of corporal sentencing is the fact that it's INTENDED TO scare the daylights out of the person who is contemplating committing a crime... Just how much deterrent effect would something have if, when this person contemplated its effects, they came to the conclusion of, "It won't be all that bad..." It's far better to have them think, "THAT, across my back?!?!? YIKES!!! Maybe I want to reconsider doing what I was thinking about doing..." When this choice is looked at with the emotional factors removed, it really is the logical choice... Anything porous not only has a tendency to "grab and rip;" but, also, would be virtually impossible to sterilize. These problems eliminate a lot of the other choices. More standard "light cord," isn't as heavy; but, has a lot more of a tendency to cut the person's skin. It would also be harder for the person applying the punishment to adequately control. Anything heavier and / or wider (such as the 12 gauge) would be too heavy and could cause injury (besides, like the polarized variety, I don't know for certain what it would do; so, I'd rather stay away from it.) From the perspective of "effectiveness," this material causes an extremely painful, "burning type" of stinging, as it welts the person from the beginning. From there, it "gets worse," as the earlier, very tender, welts are crossed back over. Even though the "damage" is superficial, this experience is painful enough to cause even the "toughest" person to have a real aversion to having to go through such an ordeal again... The "bottom line" for my advocating this material is that it produces a lot of (temporary) pain for the lowest possible "cost" in terms of longer-term damage.

Well after I read this website I decided to contacted the author and see if she can put my brother in this program rather than staying in prison! I wasn't too cool wit the Idea that someone other me or Dad whipping my brother's ass. She contacted the D. A. she wasn't really going for it until I said "It wasn't totally his fault it was mine and I deserve to be punished as much as he did. He used my shotgun and it was unregistered. Well the author, lawyer, and the DA finally aggred then, so my faith was going to be the same as my brother's faith! I went down to County Jail House and visited him. I picked up the phone and talked to him while looking through a thick glass. I asked "You're alright?" He said "Yeah". I told him about the deal that was made and what they gonna do to both of us. He said "You don't have to do that for me" I said "Yeah I did it's like the same when Dad use to whupp my ass when I didn't look out for you!" I told him "Look Bruh you _f_u_c_k_ed up and I _f_u_c_k_ed up, and we gonna get the strap put on our ass for it, case closed!" I said "Were brothers we live together we laugh together, and soon we will cry together, but point is we do this togther! I don't know why but when I give a speech like that it always builds up moral. Well court day of the sentencing came the DA gave the recommended punishment to both of us and we both got sentenced 30 days of C. A.S where we would get 200 lashes in 30 days (50 a Week). . The Baliff took me into custody and I had to go to County where I was stripped naked and posessions were in a bag, then given that County Jail Uniforms.

Two days later they transported us to the center where the punishment and rehabilitation will take place. I'm thinking I haven't been whupp in a long time! We got there we were orientated on the punishment procedures and rules and regulations. They told us that the punishment phases will start tomorrow 10 o'clock in the morining. Well me and my brother was sharing the same cell! The part of the deal that I wanted us to stay together! Next morining it was about 9:50 am. Me and my brother was really nervous big time! I asked him "You're scared?" He said "Yeah!" I told him "Sooner they start that sooner it be over with!"

The Officer came and said "Who's first?" I stood up and said I'm the oldest I go first, but my brother stood up and said this is all my fault I go first! The Officer smiled and said "Well boys you're in luck we have two rooms, both of you is first!" Me and brother looked at each other said "_s_h_i_t_!!!" at the same time. The officer said "We have to strrp naked!" We did and he handcuffed my brother and took him by the arm he called the other Officer who handcuffed and grabbed me by my arm. They took us both to the hall we got to the door that said "A" and the Officer said" C'mon oldest!" and my brother was taken to "B" Room. I was then unhandcuffed an I was strapped to this horse-looking deal, all I know I was totally bent over and my ass was totally exposed. I hate this position because Dad used this position to discline us very well! My thoughts was I gonna get my ass whupp I can't believe it! Then I heard my brother screaming and hollering and then they start to work on me! ! I started screaming and hollerin g too! Man it was deep pain never exeperience before I couldn't help but to cry it hurted that _f_u_c_k_ing much! When it was over the doctor examing my ass. He said it was O. K. and gave us the alcohol to treated. We do wrong we have to treat our wounds ourselves. I _d_a_m_n_ near couldn't walk straight so there were no need for handcuffs! When I wa in the hall the brought my brother out of "B" Room! He was barely able to walk to. When we got to our cell I said "I treat your wounds if you treat mine" He said "Cool!" Next Day the Counselor came in to start our therapy part of our program. He asked ho we felt and we told him we were alright! He said Good, then lets get started!" He asked us a series of question on why we are being punished, did we thank it was fair and if faced with the situation again how would we handle it different? well this _s_h_i_t_ went on for three more weeks when we got out and got to the crib, we were totally different! we didn't want to smoke no weed, didn't want to! drink alcohol, my brother didn' t have the urge to smoke a cigarette or his favorite swisher sweets!

3 weeks later, my brother found him a job and been working his ass off since he got it and never been late either! I've been busting my ass too. I guess i needed that ass whupping so I can become a better person for me and my brother! I guess Corporal Alternative Sentencing does work in our judicial systems!


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