Introduction
Joe Biden has held one vice presidency and over thirty years in the Senate for Delaware. The unprecedented increase in people’s concern with what kind of change and progressive initiatives Biden will advance as the presidential candidate increases as the 2020 presidential election approaches. Of these, the one under discussion is criminal justice.
Justice reform In its general sense justice reform reflects the Biden’s record primarily in two ways:
Nonetheless, the time when Joe Biden was the Vice President, especially he was known for supporting movements toward decriminalisation of the criminal justice system and mass incarceration, particularly the reform concerning the drug-related nonviolent crimes. He also supported grants initiatives for the purpose of decreasing the rate of repeat offenders after releasing from prison.
Yet, there are critics of ‘the Biden way’ who said that Biden has not done enough, he could have been more forceful. Citing him as having a participation in formulation of the 1994 crime bill, the policy that enhanced increasing the rates at which African Americans and other minorities were incarcerated. The bill supported the construction of more prisons; adopted the death penalty measures; and incorporated the elements of mandatory minimum sentencing.
Key Justice Reform Theories
If elected, there are several major justice reform theories joe Biden could embrace to prioritise rehabilitation over retribution:
1. Minimising Nonviolent Drug Offenders – They have the goal of lowering the number of prisoners by releasing more non-violent drug offenders and improving bail and probation services.
2. Reduction of Mandatory Minimums – Presents the options of removing minimums imprisonments which limit the leeway of judges in imposing punishments mostly on minor offences that are not dangerous.
3. Expanding Community-Based Sentencing – The choice of community service, probation, fines and rehabilitation programs in lieu of imprisonment as much as possible, particularly for first and second-time offenders of minor crimes.
4. Employment Prejudice for Ex-Felons: Difficult to find work, which leads to relapse. Remedies would ban the inquiry as to criminal conduct within the initial stages of employment.
Reformers of Unlocking the Economy’s Expectations for Biden
Thanks to political strategists of progressive justice reform and organizations, they expect Joe Biden to champion an aggressive reform agenda if elected. Some of their key asks include:
– Doing away with minimum measures and reducing the time taken by an individual for nonviolent organizations.
Promoting states to focus on those programs, which help criminals to become rehabilitated
– More surveillance and regulation of police departments
Sultan of Swag: Restoring Voting Rights for Ex-Convicts
For instance, providing additional cash to go into an organisation’s legal needs or adequately fund public defenders.
Increasing the age for criminal responsibility from eighteen years to twenty one.
They also further expect to witness higher efforts in terms of policies, which are focused on eradicating racism and prejudice in the legal framework.
Unpacking the Shadowy Biden’s Platform
Another justice reform campaign promise that Joe Biden has incorporated into his formal campaign manifesto includes. These include proposals like:
– The abolition of ‘three strikes’ laws, no mandatory minimum-sentences or solitary confinement for nonviolent crimes
ess than 24 hours after President Trump announced a $20 billion grant program for States engaged in justice reforms
– Continuing reforms of parole and probation
Continuing the implementation of new and improving forms of rehab for mental disorders
Some of them are Cutting down the use of death penalty.
But, some of the critics claimed that his platform does not make sense to the zeal and the innovative spirit of the modern-day reform seekers. They also would like to hear bolder structural changes and specific visions of what Joe Biden would do to pursue his reformist agenda. Potentially, the quantity of priority and attention which he gives to justice reform might be an index of what exactly his presidency could deliver if he gets to the presidency.
The Bottom Line
Joe Biden has been also ready to back some rational changes in the criminal justice system such as the decreasing of mass incarceration rates, or the rehabilitation of ex-convicts into society. But others – and now more liberal – expect Biden and other Democrats to give more concrete promises and concrete concerns with regards to eradicating what they and other people of colour believe is systemic racism integrated all around the American justice system. Findings that suggested that moderate levels of justice reform were achievable and considered optimal for Joe Biden to mobilise high-voter turnout and enthusiasm levels among Democratic voters, if he becomes the party nominee.
Conclusion
The article briefly introduces Joe Biden’s experience in justice reform, which theories he might uphold if elected the president, what reform activists expect from him, as well as the evaluation of whether or not his current policy agenda is sufficient. It aims at evaluating likelihood of Biden placing this matter high on his agenda if he triumphs in the 2020 elections. The objective is to compare his further readiness for more drastic organisational structural adjustments rather than the enhancements.
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