Citizens For Effective Justice

Citizens For Effective Justice (CFEJ) This is the backup site for http://www.reducecrime.org. PLEASE REPORT ANY WEB PAGE RELATED PROBLEMS TO: fedup@okplus.com CFEJ RELATED LINKS: RELOAD PROPOSED LEGISLATION F.A.Q's INFO. FOR ATTORNEYS and JUDGES CENTERS, PUNISHMENTS, ETC. D.U.I. EXAMPLE AN OPEN LETTER RESPONDING TO SOME COMMON OBJECTIONS TRAINING APPLICATION WHAT CAN I DO??? CHARGED WITH A CRIME??? EXTERNAL LINKS BOOK RELATED ABOUT THE BOOK PROPOSALS/EXCERPTS FROM BOOK HONOR SYSTEM BASED DOWNLOADING and READING CONTACT GUESTBOOK E-MAIL CFEJ NEWSLETTER BACK TO TOP	What is CFEJ? 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... Our commonalties are: 1) We are "FED UP" with having a criminal justice system which wastes our tax dollars and does little to reduce crime. 2) We are working towards SOLUTIONS, instead of just complaining about the problems. 3) We are working toward the implimentation of an alternative system which would result in the criminals being afraid, instead of the citizens. 4) We believe the proposed changes will make our streets safer; but, will NOT cost a lot of tax dollars 5) We 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) We 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) We believe that, together, we CAN make a difference! There are no fees to "join," The "membership dues" are your active involvement, in your own community, in helping to make these changes happen. You are as much of a member as you choose to be... The things you do need not be costly or even time consuming. They can range from things as simple as telling others about this web site (especially your state legislators, local judges and attorneys, and talk show hosts) all the way up to training (which is "free") and working pre-legislative waiver cases.

This is the backup site for http://www.reducecrime.org.

PLEASE REPORT ANY WEB PAGE RELATED PROBLEMS TO: fedup@okplus.com

CONTACT

GUESTBOOK

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CFEJ NEWSLETTER

What is CFEJ?

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...

Our commonalties are:

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

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

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

4) We believe the proposed changes will make our streets safer; but, will NOT cost a lot of tax dollars

5) We 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) We 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) We believe that, together, we CAN make a difference!

There are no fees to "join," The "membership dues" are your active involvement, in your own community, in helping to make these changes happen. You are as much of a member as you choose to be... The things you do need not be costly or even time consuming. They can range from things as simple as telling others about this web site (especially your state legislators, local judges and attorneys, and talk show hosts) all the way up to training (which is "free") and working pre-legislative waiver cases.

Overview

There are a few things which I believe that we can easily agree upon:

1) Sooner or later, most people who are sent to prison return to the free world.

2) Prisons are costly to build and maintain. At the same time, they are not environments which are conducive to rehabilitating the offender. They are a society, in and of themselves, with their own sub-culture. Many of the value systems are antithetical to a successful reintegration into our society.

3) Current alternatives to incarceration do little to motivate the offender to change his or her activities.

4) Rehabilitation is essential; but, at the same time, it is starting to be discarded due to its current lack of effectiveness. No one changes unless they have a strong personal motivation to do so.

5) Although there are SOME people who's freedom poses a significant danger to others, the majority of people in prison are there because our society has no other substantive means of imposing consequences for criminal behavior.

6) While we might not all agree upon what should constitute the definition of "criminal behavior," we support the right of our free society to impose consequences for breaking the laws which we enact (either through public vote or by those whom we elect to represent us.)

7) Crime undermines the quality of life in our society. It destroys lives, families, and neighborhoods. It provides an excuse for those who have little regard for the liberties which this country was founded upon to get laws enacted which have more of an effect upon the general population than they do upon criminals.

The solution???
Here's where you need to keep an open mind...

Assuming that we agree on the above items, only one conclusion remains. We need a way to impose significant consequences which are far more effective than our current intermediary sanctions; but, without all of the drawbacks of prisons. Bringing back corporal sentencing (within the context I proposed in my book: So, you're FED UP with "criminal justice" system too, huh?) would accomplish this. This book presents a comprehensive, three level system for dealing with the full spectrum of criminals; but, what I refer to as "Level One" is the easiest to implement and will accomplish the most; so, it is taking precedence over levels two and three. You may read the electronic version of the book on-line; or, download it for later reading, on an "honor system" basis. Of course, I hope that you will choose to send in the five dollar download fee, since that helps to "keep the lights on;" but, this project is about enacting change, rather than "selling books;" hence, the "honor system..."

The first thing you may be thinking is: "THAT would be a violation of the 8th Amendment!" It is NOT... Corporal sentences were the norm LONG after the 8th Amendment was ratified. Prior to the inclusion of the 8th Amendment, there was a considerable amount of discussion regarding the possibility of it, eventually, being misinterpreted to be a ban on all corporal sentencing; however, our founders decided that we had more sense than to interpret it in that manner; so, they chose to include it. In recent decades, a few lower court rulings have proven that they over-estimated the common sense of future generations; but, there is still a way for us to legally bring it back.

The next thought you might have is some variation of: "Violence breeds violence." What I am proposing is NOT "violence!" Even if it were, it would be far less violent than that which a person is exposed to within a prison environment. One of the reasons that prisons turn out people who are worse criminals than they were when they went in is the fact that, in order to avoid being brutalized by their fellow inmates, people are forced to adopt a violent mind-set. Any punishment, by its very definition, must be unpleasant; but, it should be determined by the courts, rather than by the whims of fellow inmates... One of the (numerous) reasons which I posted the D.U.I. case is that it, in a relatively few number of pages, illustrates how it is possible to use corporal sentencing without it being violent.

Some of the rest of you might be thinking, "But! These people will be right back out on our streets and in our communities!..." This is true -- the average person sentenced under level one would be in jail only three to four days... While prison DOES "incapacitate" an offender, during the time in which they are incarcerated, the person we get back is usually far less able to reintegrate into society. While they might not have been committing any crimes against us while they were in, they were also not in a position to support their families, make restitution to their victims, or be a contributing member of the economy. By using the combination of an extremely unpleasant form of punishment, partial deferrals of the sentence, and a strong emphasis upon rehabilitation, these people will pose far less of a threat than they would have if they were, instead, dealt with through more conventional means.

One aspect of the plan, which addresses the two previous issues, is the use of what I refer to as "counselors." These are not therapists or social workers; but, people who are specifically trained to work with the inmate throughout the time he or she is in the center. This is the only person which the inmate has any significant, personal contact with during this time. Through the use of assignments, their objective is to break down the inmate's rationalization, justification, and denial systems; thus, helping the inmate to both take personal responsibility for the actions which resulted in him or her being there and develop a constructive plan for avoiding such actions in the future. Of course the inmate does have the option of refusing such assignments; but, doing so would leave them with nothing to occupy their their time besides staring at four walls and wondering "When are they going to be coming for me..." Given this choice, most people will choose the former, especially when these assignments are presented to them within the context of helping them to avoid ever having to come back.

It's going take some radical changes in order to achieve any significant results; but, the "pay off" will be an improved quality of life for everyone, more money available for preventative and rehabilitative programs, and a system which would be much more equitable than that which we currently have. Take the time to read the information provided on this web site before forming any conclusions. Links to all the pages are provided at both the top and bottom of this page.

In an attempt to reach as many people as possible and keep this project self-supporting, I am selling the book, upon which this plan is based. The purpose, however, is to effect changes which will reduce crime and prison overcrowding; so, I've posted not only large sections of it on this web site; but, the entire electronic version of it on the old Flash Net site. If you would like information about how to order this book, in paper form, visit the "MORE ABOUT THE BOOK" link.

At the Download center, you may either download the zipped version; or, read the individual files on-line; however, all copyrights are retained by the author, Kathy L. Renbarger. No modifications of the text may be made for any purpose. Margins may be modified, if needed to print a copy for personal use. The book may not be sold without the written consent of the author; but, free copies may be provided to: judges, legislators, attorneys, and talk show hosts. Please contact Kathy regarding any such distribution. The download center is located at: http://www.flash.net/~fedup/dwnload.htm

Click here to e-mail Kathy Renbarger at fedup@flash.net e-mail now

If you agree with my solutions (see links at the bottom of this page), please tell your friends, state legislators, local District Attorneys, and all your favorite talk show hosts about this web site. While I am currently working on the legislative aspects of bring these solutions into the mainstream, this is NOT mandatory for waivers to be lawful; so, we are currently accepting a very limited number of waiver cases; therefore, tell your local defense attorneys about this site, as well. If you are a defense attorney, with a client who seems sincerely remorseful (NOT just "sorry s/he got caught!"), feel free to contact us; and, to pass our web address to your client.

If you are unsure how to contact you state senators or representatives, State Law -- Local Govt. and Legis. Page is a useful link. From this site, you can contact your legislators and tell them about this site...

If you are guilty of a crime, and willing to go to any lengths to get one more chance to turn your life around, e-mail me and we can discuss whether the C.A.S. program might be a viable alternative for you. I suggest that you first visit: CHARGED WITH A CRIME??? (Understand, however, this is ABSOLUTELY NO "get out of jail free card.")

If you disagree with my solutions, feel free to e-mail me with your objections -- we can have some interesting conversations, as my limited time permits... Who knows, you might find that we aren't as far apart as you now believe; and, I might find that there are more parts of my book which I should post on this site to better present my positions. Before you bother to do this, however, please check this page to see if I've already addressed the issues you plan to point out...
OPEN LETTER RESPONDING TO SOME COMMON OBJECTIONS

Click here to e-mail Kathy Renbarger at fedup@okplus.com e-mail now If you do not wish to be placed on the list for the newsletter, please say so in your e-mail. This list is NOT sold or otherwise distributed, it is used ONLY for distributing the CFEJ newsletter (as I have the time or assistance to put together new issues.)

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WHAT CAN I DO??? INITIAL LEGISLATION CENTERS, PUNISHMENTS, ETC. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS INFO. FOR ATTORNEYS and JUDGES PROPOSALS/EXCERPTS FROM BOOK OPEN LETTER RESPONDING TO SOME COMMON OBJECTIONS PLEASE SIGN MY GUEST BOOK and LEAVE YOUR OPINION HONOR SYSTEM BASED DOWNLOADING and READING TRAINING APPLICATION ABOUT THE BOOK EXTERNAL LINKS

AND who are willing to take an active role in accomplishing these changes... Our commonalties are:

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AND who are willing to take an active role in accomplishing these changes...

Our commonalties are: