Florida lawmakers propose military service as alternative to jail time

https://www.clickorlando.com/news/2...military-service-as-alternative-to-jail-time/

Don't you think it's funny? Let's imagine you get drunk one day and beat your wife. But instead of going to jail, you join the army! Isn't it hilarious?

 

I can't really seeing this end well.

 

It's the second time democrats in Florida are trying to pass this law. They are not giving up!

 

I guess not. Why didn't it pass the first time?

 

This has been going on for decades. It's not new. The disparity in criminal justice allows for white people to have this option while non-white defendants are typically sentenced to prison for the same type of crimes. White people also receive probation faster and have more options for community service versus non-white people for the same type and number of crimes

 

Didn't receive enough votes I would guess.

 

I would think so as well. I'm just curious as to why it didn't happen.

 

This was common practice when I was a young man, never heard about the racial aspect of it though.

 

Is it how you enrolled?

 

The military already has a waiver process for certain criminal convictions.

 

Nope.

 

Can you give me an example of a black person getting more jail time than he deserved? Doesn't matter if it's a famous case or just somebody you know.

 

You can join the army despite having a conviction in the past but you can't avoid jail by joining the army.

 

I'm a former police officer. I know of several cases in which that happened. Obviously, I can't disclose details about them but it's not hard to piece together.

Almost every law enforcement agency publishes statistics about arrests. From there, you can backtrack to previous cases for the same or similar type crimes and the the disposition. You can do the same research for Federal crimes.

For example, if you were to research drug abuse problems, you will find that white minors (under 1 are more frequently given probation than non-white minors.

Technically, it's not even that laborious. On various websites and forums, right now, people are arguing that black and brown people are solely responsible for the proliferation of COVID and its variants, but, statistically, the hold-outs are Republicans. But, the data doesn't back that up so the people wanting to spread that disinformation are doing so based on the law of averages. If the target audience of that information already hates black and brown people, they will latch onto that explanation versus evaluating the data on their own. It works the same for all our social ills.

 

This was tried before. Not with federal legislation, but it was common practice back in the 70's for individual judges to offer offenders the choice of jail or enlisting. It took decades to flush them out of the ranks.

 

If properly applied this sounds like a great idea. In terms of recidivism they would leave with a paying job, self-esteem, and discipline.

 

Look here pal this is a white person reading what you are posting I was put in jail and prison at a young age and I was never offered that option.

Although I am happy to report that I am reformed as it's been nearly 20 years since the last time I was released.

I'm quite familiar with the system, what you are saying is completely false.

I would have jumped at the chance. In fact, I tried enlisting when I was last released at 25 and was unable to.

 

The military is not a social program. Burdening the military with misfits has been done before. The outcome was not good. The challenges the military faces are tough enough without burdening them with problem children.

 

This has been a common practice before, mainly for young, troubled adults whom the judge suspected just needed more structure and discipline in their life. And it was always offered as a choice- serve normal time for the crime or volunteer for military service. Not saying I think its necessarily the best idea, but I think maybe its being framed here innaccurately.

 

Yes, it has been done. I was in the army when it was done in the late seventies. The Viet Nam War was just over and manpower was needed. It may have been grat for the individual, but it was a complete disaster for the miitary. The few guys inducted this way took tremendous care and feeding... you know... the "squeeky wheel gets the grease" principal. It was a pain in the neck ... a burden... for the NCO's that dealt with them.
I joined a conscript Army in 1970 and retired from a VOLUNTEER ARMY (VOLAR) in the 90's. VOLAR was MUCH better. During Viet Nam, the Army in Germany suffered as we sent the weakest Soldiers there, leaving the combat mission in Viet Nam to the best. The Army shouldn't have to play these games ever again.
Again, the mission of the Army is to protect America. It is NOT a social program

 

I'm not sure about "joining the army". But something along the lines of structured, useful service of a military flavour to Country could be beneficial for some.

 

That's a good point, now I'm split.

Perhaps they could be put through a separate program or something.

 

Legislation that actually addresses the root problem would be more effective, instead of trying to pawn off problem people onto the military.

 

I hear this was much more common many years ago.

I think the argument against it is the same as with the draft. If someone does not actually want to be there and how good of a troop could they be expected to make?