Nolan Dalla

A Few Comments on the Chauvin Verdict and Pending Sentence and Punishment:

 

My Comments on the Chauvin Verdict and Pending Sentence / Punishment:

 

(1) I know nothing of the assignment of prisons or how that works, but I’m nearly certain that convicted murderer Chauvin will receive the utmost care and protection by authorities, regardless of venue. There’s no way a law enforcement officer gets tossed into a prison yard with other convicts. That won’t happen and would be grounds for additional legal difficulties, which the state (and feds) wants to avoid. Whether that’s to be classified as “preferential” is indeed a cause for concern and perhaps debate. But the comments circulating now on social media about what he faces in prison are grossly inaccurate and in some cases ridiculous.

(2) I have a real problem with “for-profit” prisons. They should be completely dismantled and/or converted. But they still do exist. If by some chance Chauvin gets assigned to one of those human factories, be assured the private guards who work there (many) will consider Chauvin a martyr and he will get extra protections and courtesies. Look for this to happen. Chauvin is probably going to be treated very well regardless of where he ends up. Again, I have serious problems with prisons, and especially “country club” prisons which hold mostly white-collar criminals. Segregating inmates based on economic class might even be more outrageous than by race. Nonetheless, an ex-cop will not be treated like a typical murderer serving a long sentence.

(3) Finally, this is difficult for me to write since we all want to see punishment administered that fits the crime. But the real purpose and mission of ALL prisons should never be to harm or terrorize inmates, regardless of their crimes. Period. In an efficient system of jurisprudence, which many other nations have, a correctional facility should be designed to REHABILITATE. Even in Chauvin’s case, the same standards of opportunity should exist. We should aim to reshape criminal minds and provide opportunities for them whenever possible to be better people once they get back on the outside. This goes for Chauvin as much as any other inmate.

Conclusion: In short, the state (government) always, and rightfully so, has a higher obligation to do what is right.  This is a fundamental precept of liberal political philosophy and justification for giving the state more authority in sectors in which such power is both warranted and effective.

Further Reading: All Police Shootings Are Not the Same

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