But the police unions phrasing—officers shouldnt make arrests unless absolutely necessary—begs the question: How many unnecessary arrests was the NYPD making before now? The human implications of this question are immense. Fewer arrests for minor crimes logically means fewer people behind bars for minor crimes. Poorer would-be defendants benefit the most; three-quarters of those sitting in New York jails are only there because they cant afford bail. Fewer New Yorkers will also be sent to Rikers Island, where endemic brutality against inmates has led to resignations, arrests, and an imminent federal civil-rights intervention over the past six months. A brush with the American criminal-justice system can be toxic for someones socioeconomic and physical health. theatlantic/national/archive/2014/12/the-benefits-of-fewer-nypd-arrests/384126/
Posted on: Fri, 02 Jan 2015 20:25:32 +0000