Post by Ginny Andrews on Feb 16, 2021 16:07:59 GMT
The problem is should Doris be granted clemency?
In my process for considering this situation, I looked at the following:
Values and Point of View of Doris and her family/children:
According to the information provided, Doris certainly became a model citizen after her escape. She devoted her life to her community and her family.
Doris feels that since she was an immature teenager when she committed the crime—she should be given some leniency. She feels that because she has become a model citizen since her escape, she should be excused from the punishment for the crime that she committed. Her family supports her and feels that since she has proven herself to be a wonderful mother, wife and community member – they feel she should be allowed freedom. However, she never revealed her past. She continued to omit details about her former life. It appears she has never really taken responsibility for her actions.
Neighbors Point of View:
The article indicates there is support from one neighbor who commented that it would not be useful to send her back to prison. But what about other community members? Are there others that do not agree? Is the opinion of one neighbor really indicative of what all community members think? And—what does the opinion of neighbors have to do with if she is even eligible for clemency?
Legal and Societal Issues include:
I needed to consider what was an acceptable sentence for selling heroine in 1974 vs. a common sentence now. Would the sentence be as harsh now as in 1974? If not, should that be considered in the clemency debate?
This article did not provide enough guidance around when clemency is allowed. I needed to do more research on what clemency is and the rules around who is eligible. I was unable to clearly find information about clemency rules in Michigan. However, from what I could find regarding clemency/commutation petition rules in Maine—the petitioner must have served at least one half of the original sentence—or a minimum of one year of the sentence.
My reasonable point of view:
My initial instinct was to say that since Doris has gone on to become a model member of society—that she should be granted clemency. However, I struggle with my sense of “law and order” and that we all must suffer consequences of our behaviors. I also struggle with the impact this will have on Doris husband and children. This will significantly impact their lives. However, I do believe that she needs to pay the price for her actions.
She not only committed the initial drug related crime—but also escaped from prison. We as society expect that our laws are upheld. So why should this person be allowed to go free?
After reading more about clemency guidelines—it is clear that Doris did not complete at least one year of her sentence and therefore, clemency should not be granted. She needs to be held responsible for what she did and serve out at least some of the sentence. In time, she could apply for clemency once she has shown that she does take responsibility for what her role.
Cognitive Biases:
I can see that I may have been influenced by “Status Quo Bias”. Doris has been maintaining a perfectly normal life—not causing any additional negative impact on society. Why should we put her back in prison? That would just negatively impact the lives of many people around her. I know that I need to challenge myself to be quicker at accepting change and looking at other sides to any given situation before making a decision.
In my process for considering this situation, I looked at the following:
Values and Point of View of Doris and her family/children:
According to the information provided, Doris certainly became a model citizen after her escape. She devoted her life to her community and her family.
Doris feels that since she was an immature teenager when she committed the crime—she should be given some leniency. She feels that because she has become a model citizen since her escape, she should be excused from the punishment for the crime that she committed. Her family supports her and feels that since she has proven herself to be a wonderful mother, wife and community member – they feel she should be allowed freedom. However, she never revealed her past. She continued to omit details about her former life. It appears she has never really taken responsibility for her actions.
Neighbors Point of View:
The article indicates there is support from one neighbor who commented that it would not be useful to send her back to prison. But what about other community members? Are there others that do not agree? Is the opinion of one neighbor really indicative of what all community members think? And—what does the opinion of neighbors have to do with if she is even eligible for clemency?
Legal and Societal Issues include:
I needed to consider what was an acceptable sentence for selling heroine in 1974 vs. a common sentence now. Would the sentence be as harsh now as in 1974? If not, should that be considered in the clemency debate?
This article did not provide enough guidance around when clemency is allowed. I needed to do more research on what clemency is and the rules around who is eligible. I was unable to clearly find information about clemency rules in Michigan. However, from what I could find regarding clemency/commutation petition rules in Maine—the petitioner must have served at least one half of the original sentence—or a minimum of one year of the sentence.
My reasonable point of view:
My initial instinct was to say that since Doris has gone on to become a model member of society—that she should be granted clemency. However, I struggle with my sense of “law and order” and that we all must suffer consequences of our behaviors. I also struggle with the impact this will have on Doris husband and children. This will significantly impact their lives. However, I do believe that she needs to pay the price for her actions.
She not only committed the initial drug related crime—but also escaped from prison. We as society expect that our laws are upheld. So why should this person be allowed to go free?
After reading more about clemency guidelines—it is clear that Doris did not complete at least one year of her sentence and therefore, clemency should not be granted. She needs to be held responsible for what she did and serve out at least some of the sentence. In time, she could apply for clemency once she has shown that she does take responsibility for what her role.
Cognitive Biases:
I can see that I may have been influenced by “Status Quo Bias”. Doris has been maintaining a perfectly normal life—not causing any additional negative impact on society. Why should we put her back in prison? That would just negatively impact the lives of many people around her. I know that I need to challenge myself to be quicker at accepting change and looking at other sides to any given situation before making a decision.