You do the crime, you do the time. Some people tell me that sounds odd coming from somebody that’s been incarcerated so long, but after 40 years, two months and six days of incarceration, I’ve lived, learned and witnessed that this “tough on crime” phrase only applies to some. Definitions of crime changes. Sentencing guidelines change. Parole opportunities differ from state to state, and oftentimes, here in Kentucky, it differs from day-to-day. I’ve seen some commit three violent felonies and receive 10-year sentences. My sentence was life without parole. 25 years. I say was because the Kentucky parole board, not a judge or jury in our justice system, re-sentenced me to death by incarceration.
The landscape of criminal justice discussions must become honest and change. We have to ask ourselves, do ancient and punitive mindsets really bring justice? Based on a lot of research I’ve read, Kentucky has an above average incarceration rate, and we rank 10th in mass punishment, and we keep those locked away at a higher percentage than independent democratic countries even. I came in at 21, and I’ve grown up in prison to see the rates of imprisonment grow, but I’ve also seen parole boards let out repeat offenders. Are we a state or country that believes in rehabilitation or are these just empty words? Is it rhetoric like the title to this commentary, even?
The phrase “do the crime, do the time” has fueled political jargon for a long time. So, I’m asking for new justice reform phrases like “second look laws” and “second chances” that many states claim in [unclear] to fuel a lot of movements for restoration. Movements that cause change.
Behaviors, work, goals, decisions, achievements; my second chance started 40 years ago, and myself and many others have worked hard to earn that. We’ve turned our lives around. We’ve paid our debt with remorse and sincere repentance. We’ve educated ourselves and others. We’ve mentored. We’ve served. We performed and restored, and many of us are not a risk to public safety, yet, we’re dying in prison, and we could be making a difference.
I could educate emerging adults, parents, students, our communities about the past that lead to scars and tragedies in life. Yeah, I committed a crime at 21, but I’ve done the time at 62. It’s time for a second chance. This is Karen, and I’m sharing something real.
These commentaries are recorded by Prison Radio.
