They say that to err is human, to forgive divine. But the Good Book also says an eye for an eye. This has to do with the current administration’s latest fad of pardoning high profile criminals. People convicted of various crimes, even some heinous ones at that. Like the case of Italian priest killer Norberto Manero, who was reported to have eaten the brains of the fallen priest as part of a ritual. The gruesome crime was also perpetrated by his brothers, who are incarcerated as well. And now, his commutation and good behavior may actually set him free as early as next week. And that’s where I lose sleep over.
I really don’t understand our justice system at times, and I probably never will. What I know is that a crime has been committed. And therefore punishment must be dealt the criminal. And when heinous crimes are involved such as premeditated murder and rape, I believe in absolute punishment.
Watching Tom Hanks’ movie “The Green Mile”, a line uttered by David Morse’s character sums it all up. After a prisoner was successfully executed via the electric chair, he states that he’s square with the house, he’s paid his debt to society. We may no longer have the death penalty around as a form of punishment, but we do have life imprisonment. And so, I don’t see the logic of freeing a prisoner because of good behavior! Shortening his sentence based on a formula of good behavior and time served.
Good behavior after willfully killing someone? After raping someone? A child even? Good behavior after desecrating a body after murdering him and devouring his brain? Would you invite this man, with the apparent good behavior, to dinner at your place? Does good behavior in prison guarantee good behavior outside prison? And as always, is justice really offered the victim’s kin by freeing a convicted criminal, much less shortening his sentence? Is all forgiven and forgotten? Does it bring the dead back to life? Does it erase the horrifying memory of rape victims? So many questions, rhetorical or otherwise, with answers only the mind of the DOJ head honcho can provide. Not!
In physics, there is a law that states for every action, there is a corresponding and equal reaction. Crime and punishment should operate on that law as well. For every crime, there should be an equal AND just punishment. I don’t care how good one has been while incarcerated. Is it any wonder at all why criminals often find God in prison? All part of racking up good behavior points, nothing else.