I just came across this political screed by a middle class American white guy imprisoned for having drugs in which I read:
Laws prohibiting ex-felons from associating with other ex-felons and gang members, such as the Illinois Street Gang Terrorism Omnibus Prevention Act, or those preventing ex-offenders from being in areas designated as ‘high crime’� or where ‘controlled substances are illegally sold, used, distributed, or administered’ means that many ex-offenders are in violation of their parole simply by going home.
Sounds like a system that will more or less guarantee the police can choose to prosecute any ex-cons they please in areas with those laws. Scary stuff.
you bet, and a good thing too. If your wife is still dealing afer you have been convicted for possession, dont you think that maybe you SHOULD think about finding another place to sleep?
Comment by Russ — 19 October 2005 @ 8:40 pm
I think you’ve missed the point slightly. This law doesn’t just keep you from going to your house. It keeps you from going back to anywhere in your old neighborhood (if you live in a high-crime neighborhood). And quite possibly it keeps you from going back to anywhere which you might be able to afford to live. And if your best friends have turned out to be ex-cons or gang members should you be kept from associating with them? They may tempt you back to a life of crime or on the other hand they may be the only people willing and able to help you if you are trying to build a life away from crime.
Comment by David Brake — 20 October 2005 @ 10:58 am