In the State of California, the useful idea called “amnesty” has been murdered.
Today, May 17th, Don Thompson, Associated Press Writer, wrote:
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Dozens of California parole violators showed up to claim a very attractive offer: $200 and amnesty. And dozens of parole violators found themselves in handcuffs and, for most, headed back to prison.
The idea of amnesty can be quite useful. It is defined as:
An official pardon undertaken by authorities to take no action against specified offenses or offenders during a fixed period
Amnesty is offered by representatives of the state, usually because they believe that some greater good can be served by temporarily suspending retribution for some unlawful actions. This perogative of the state represents a tool by which the state can address a situation in which the letter of the law does not serve the best interests of the community at large.
For example, in 2005 California officials offered amnesty to people who had violated state tax laws. By offering to overlook the penalties for such violations, they hoped that people would come forward and make restitution. The promise of recovering lost revenues was better than the desire to punish offenders. Not a bad idea.
Now California has used the idea of amnesty to lure unlawful actors (parole violators) to come forth voluntarily, the idea being that, given the current budgetary crisis, it would be better to get these violators back into the system, even if doing so would mean not punishing them for jumping parole. Again, not a bad idea. But this time, when the amnesty seekers came forth, they were told, “just kidding”, and placed in handcuffs.
It is unlikely that the really serious violators would take the amnesty bait. Murderers and rapists tend to be a bit suspicious of offers for a free ride. It would be the small time crooks and dope smokers who would come forward in hopes of getting back onto the straight and narrow path. And the $200 carrot? Definitely the small timers. But never mind! California officials were just kidding.
The next time you see the State of California offer amnesty for anything — tax amnesty, parking violation amnesty, or any amnesty—- I suggest you think twice before stepping forward. They are probably just kidding.
