From top cop to ex-con, Kerik slams U.S. prison system

[n2doc]

He has one of the most glittering resumes in the security business. The president of the United States said so himself when he tapped Bernard Kerik for one of the top posts in his administration.

Kerik never got the job. Revelations of tax fraud and corruption landed him in court and then in prison. And those 36 months on the other side of the bars have transformed Kerik’s views of America’s criminal justice system.

“If we continue to incarcerate black men at the same rate we have for the last 30 years, 30 years from now, probably 75 percent of every black man in this country is going to be incarcerated,” Kerik told America Tonight. “Is that what we want? Is that what the system was created for? The system is broken.”

more

http://america.aljazeera.com/watch/shows/america-tonight/america-tonight-blog/2014/3/5/bernie-kerik-ex-conprisonreform.html

[Raine1967]

1. Could his thought process really have been 'Corrected'?

as in Commissioner of the New York City Department of Corrections...

I truly hope he means what he says and commits himself to helping change the system.

“When you put someone in prison because he was a commercial fisherman who caught too many fish or because someone enhanced their income in a mortgage application to buy their first home… I met those people,” he said.

“I also met young black men and Hispanic men out of urban America that were sentenced to 10 years, and 15, and 20 years for first-time non-violent drug-offenses,” he continued. “Ten years for a kid who sells, or buys, or possesses 5 grams of cocaine? Five grams is the weight of three sugar packets from Dunkin’ Donuts. You’re putting a kid in prison for 10 years?”

Kerik’s short stint in solitary confinement has also made him a staunch opponent of the practice.

“It’s mentally abusive,” he said. “You hallucinate. You talk to yourself. It breaks down the mental psyche. It’s inhumane in many ways.”

I'm skeptical, but if the dude REALLY means it, I hope he walks the walk now that he's talked the talk. If so, I'll listen.

[2banon]

2. two questions

Why was he in solitary confinement?
Is he due to be released for time served?

Apparently, he's had a "come to jesus' moment... wonder how long that will last?

[Raine1967]

4. to the first Question:

I don't know. That was news to me as well.


As to the Second, he was released last year. http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nypd-boss-bernard-kerik-prison-article-1.1356234

[2banon]

5. Interesting, thanks.

I suppose he'll be writing a book on the subject.. He'll make the rounds and get well needed attention to these issues.

[Fawke Em]

9. Probably to protect him.

Last edited Thu Mar 6, 2014, 10:14 PM - Edit history (1)

Former law enforcement are targets in prison.

[2banon]

10. oh, yeah huh? good point! n/t

[Raine1967]

15. I was thinking that myself, however

he was in federal prison. That made me wonder, to be honest.

[Comrade Grumpy]

3. Kerik does a Colson. Nothing like a little time in the gulag to open one's eyes.

[Warren DeMontague]

13. Except, Colson was STILL a right-wing ass, after prison.

He just had tax-exempt status to do it.

[joeybee12]

6. I have a healthy mistrust of prison conversions...especially

one made by someone as sleazy as Kerik

[jsr]

7. It's just another opportunity to make money for him.

Books, TV appearances, speaking engagements.

[joeybee12]

8. +1 That's a more likely explanation than a "change of heart"...nt

[madinmaryland]

11. One mistake in the artical...

"He had one of the most glittering resumes in the security business."

He sure as shit does not have a glittering resume now!!

That being said, he is right about the incarceration rates of young minority men is a disgrace and should not be happening. Fucking "war on drugs".

[Cha]

12. So he learned something in prison.. not bad.

[Blue_Tires]

14. WOW....WHAT? BERNARD FUCKIN' KERIK SAID THAT?

He must have taken so many drugs in prison he's gone 180 degrees and talking sense now....