As we wrap up the semester this blog has been a fun
experience for me and I assume the rest my classmates. I found it interesting to read all the
varying posts from the wide spectrum that is criminal justice. I saw something in the news recently that I would
like to share.
A few
days ago on Wednesday, infamous killer Charles Manson was up for parole of his
life sentence. Manson, 77 years old, has
been in prison since 1971 for the gruesome murders of nine individuals. He is serving a life sentence and would have
gotten the death penalty but at the time California had just abolished the
death penalty in their state. Needless
to say his parole was denied, and he won’t be up for another parole hearing for
another 15 years in 2027. This is Manson’s
12th parole hearing and it is unlikely he will get many more as his
age continues to increase. Chances are
he will die in prison, and in my opinion, rightfully so. I say so because Manson himself didn’t even
show up to the parole hearing, and it’s clear that he has not attempted to
better himself in prison. He has
completed no vocational treatment or education program and since his time in
prison he has accumulated over 100 infractions and serious disciplinary
sanctions.
Now the
whole debate that goes into situations like these is the obvious overcrowding
issues in prison. As we see a hike in
crime trends specifically the get tough on crime or the war on drugs movement
the influx of prisoners continues to climb.
I remember an earlier post and a discussion on when we should allow a
prisoner of this nature to get out.
However to let someone back into society we need to be certain that they
are no longer a danger to themselves or the population. In my opinion I still think Manson is capable
of murder and if he gets out I’d imagine he will kill again. Manson was quoted saying, "I am special. I am not
like the average inmate. I have put five people in the grave. I've been in
prison most of my life. I'm a very dangerous man." Obviously this is someone who is not fit for
a return to society, but sadly the only option we have is to continue to pay
for him to live in prison. It’s a very
tough issue.
In prison, Manson has had a long
history of manipulative and controlling behavior as well as a plethora of mental
health issues including schizophrenia and paranoia. He has also had a history of drug abuse
including LSD and amphetamines, and has not once tried to better himself with
treatment. Clearly he has no remorse for
what he did, and sadly it appears that he wants to die in prison. Even sadder, as citizens and tax payers we
are handcuffed and basically giving him what he wants. Manson’s state appointed attorney even said, “he
knows he’s not getting out, why else would you not attend your own parole
hearing?” Many parole board members and
even psychologists are going to be happy to see the day when Manson doesn’t
bother their prisons anymore.
Its obvious that he doesn’t deserve
to get out of prison, not only because it appears that he doesn’t want to and
the fact that he hasn’t made one effort to better himself, or made improvements. Was denying him for the 12th time
the right decision? Yes, and it will be
the right decision every ensuing time.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDeleted because of typos, re-posted below.
DeleteI agree, Charles Manson does not deserve the right to get out of prison. He seems to not even care anymore to get out. The guy probably does not even want to be let go what would he do on the outside world. It is not like he would have friends or family waiting for him to come home. The guy would have no money, no living arrangements, nothing. He would have to commit a crime, go to the police department and turn himself back in so he would get to eat that night. Also, he has recently had contraband inside of his cell (Cell Phone and Sharpened Pen.) The guy in my mind wants to just die behind bars which he will because if he was to be let out all hell would break loose amongst the US and Media since he is such a well known name murderer.
ReplyDeleteWow, I defiantly agree that this man Charles Manson will never get to live outside of prison walls. Not only cause his age, but because if he was denied of parole a dozen times he is going to be in there for life and which he should be for the number of murders committed. Like Tabor had stated above the man wouldn't even last in today's world, it's a tough life for anyone who has got out on parole. Plus why would we want that type of offender in anybody's community. Age doesn't always affect a person's ability to act out. They may just be a little rusty at at first. The prison systems are there to hopefully help bring paroles out and help them get socially ready for society. Manson also is known to have mental health disorders which can be to his advantage and other innocent people's lives especially because he can have the ability to manipulate and possibly hurt people again.
ReplyDeleteCharles Manson has gotten what he wanted out of life. Manson wanted to be a celebrity, in the eye of the public, and his wish came true. Tragically, he received a celebrity status for operating a cult that went on a killing spree. Manson has been portrayed throughout pop culture as a psychopath with a swastika engraved in his forehead. Manson is a manipulative creature that should never see the light of day.
ReplyDeleteThe sheriff in my hometown, who I had for an investigation class at community college, got the chance to sit down and talk to Manson in prison years ago. He told my class that Manson acted like an animal, jumping up and down. Finally, the correction officer told Charles that the visitor was not a reporter but just another law enforcement officer. After hearing this Manson calmly sat down and answered questions for him. The correction officer told my teacher that Manson only put on a show for the media. This shows that Manson enjoys the negative attention he receives and likes to put on a sick show to please his audience. Manson does not deserve to be released and would never be able to cope with the culture shock even if the parole board were to ever change their mind.
I dont think anyone really expected Manson to get parole. His whole existence in prison is comical. The things he says are just ridiculous. He is a crazy individual who should be kept behind bars forever.
ReplyDeleteI agree fully that Manson does not deserve to get out EVER. The crimes that he committed and his thought process alone should be proof that he needs the death penalty. But since California is screwed up (along with every other state that has abolished the death penalty) he will never has his date with the lethal injection chamber. I'm not surprised that he didn't show up to his parole hearing. I am glad though that he chooses not to better himself through the programs that are provided. He would just clog up space and deny other inmates a chance to better themselves (inmates who actually want to get better).
ReplyDeleteI am personally sick and tired of hearing any news that has to deal with Charles Manson. We as a nation are just fascinated by these types of crimes, and allow scumbags like this to get this whole "celebrity" status. The crimes that he has committed are horrible, and I would have to agree with Alan's comment about Manson deserving the death penalty. At least Manson understands it is ridiculous to think that he would be given parole, by not showing up to his hearings. For us as a public we need to forget about this Manson guy, and just let him rot in jail.
ReplyDeleteI would say that Manson is definitely the type of older prisoner you would NOT want to let out of prison. He is crazy. Pure and simple. I also think that the death penalty would have been the best thing for him. For some murderers, life in prison may be enough, but he is very manipulative and can do a lot of damage even while in prison. I think that there should be special allowances in every state for the death penalty in cases like his.
ReplyDeleteI remember reading a blog about the costs of housing elderly inmates and how the cost is twice as much compared to middle aged citizens. Some say they should be released and others say they should stay in. In this case, Manson should definitely stay behind bars. I didn’t know that he had over 100 infractions and serious disciplinary sanctions. If he had any sort of remorse or the want to better himself, he would go to meetings and shoot for rehabilitation. I would rather pay more money for the care he needs then to see him on the streets with the possibility of harming another human being.
ReplyDeleteCharles Manson is happy with the life that he has right now, and why shouldn't he be? If he committed the same crimes today that he committed 40+ years ago, he would be dead in a matter of a decade or so. It is very smug on his part to not even attend his own parole hearing and it proves that he shows no remorse for his victims. If he had remorse, he wouldn't care that his chance of being released on parole was slim to none, he would just want to go for the chance to get his apology heard. Charles Manson is a cold-blooded killer and a total drain on society. His death could not come soon enough and there is a nice warm bed waiting for him in hell!
ReplyDeleteCharles Manson got denied parole...shocking. I know that rehabilitation is one of the main goals of the criminal justice system in the 21st century, but we have to draw the line somewhere. People that committed the crimes this guy committed should not be released in society for any reason, he has a swastika on his forehead. Come on.
ReplyDeleteCharles Manson is a name that is infamous in history for what he did. He is and always will be a danger to society. He is your typical sociopath; he has no remorse for his victims or anything that he did. I am quite sure that he knows he will never receive parole and that he will die in prison as he should. It is odd to see an update photo of him with all that gray hair.I always pictured him to be the same crazy looking man with long dark hair. The most frightening thing is that he got people to follow him a cult leader. Every time I look at E! specials on Hollywood Tragedys, Charles Manson and the murder of Sharon Tate is on there.
ReplyDelete