Why is the writer focusing on non-violent offenders?? The law in question relates to persons who have committed 3 violent felonies.
While I can appreciate the need to address the substance abuse that potentially leads to these crimes, after a third VIOLENT offense, doesn't the safety of the public outweigh this concern?

The bill defines "violent" very different from what we believe to be violent offenses. Some of these people may never have touched or even threatened to touch another person.

Counter to expectations, the research on three strikes shows that the law does not have the effect supporters assume. At best, it reduces violent crime about 3%. At worst, it does nothing to reduce violent crime but it does imprison repeat offenders for longer periods at a substantial cost.

The version of the law the Governor sent back to the legislature replaces the judge with automatic minimums sentencing. This is a big mistake. Our judicial system relies on the informed judgment of judges who hear (and rule) on the evidence. The House has a chance to fix this problem by adding limited judicial discretion,

Is it possible to have too many Democrats in the Legislature? Mara would say no... one more named Mara would be good. How blue should the blue Commonwealth be?

Reverend E. Raleigh Pimperton III

Here's a list of the violent felonies covered under Melissa's Bill. http://3strikeslaw.blogspot.com/search/label/ListFelonies
It's good to know where these candidates stand on public safety issues. It's their responsibility to represent their constituents first and their future clients second. I know who I will NOT be voting for.

This one reason I am voting for Mara Dolan! We have far to many people in prison today! Drug offense is not a "violent" crime. Mara is right in my opinion - these young people should not be sent to prison! They need treatment. AAA helps people who are addicted to a far less potent drug, What is needed - is what Mara is saying "We are incarcerating non-violent offenders who need drug and alcohol treatment, education, job training, and counseling." Bill Montague

Mara doesn't know what she's talking about. This legislation also lowers mandatory minimum drug sentences, and makes many non-violent drug offenders eligible for early parole. That was part of the tradeoff - free up prison space for truly VIOLENT repeat offenders.

Senate Ways & Means estimates the lowering of drug sentences alone will save the state $5 million a year, well offsetting the additional $1 million to incarcerate the worst of the worst repeat VIOLENT felons.
http://3strikeslaw.blogspot.com/search/label/ListFelonies

It's scary enough that Mara is blind to the reality of 3, 10, 20, 50-time repeat VIOLENT felons who cannot be rehabilitated, but she's also clueless about the facts of the legislation she addresses.

So you are saying that Mara Dolan and our Governor are both wrong! They are directly involved with these problems, and have been for many years. This decision by the Governor did no happen over night! A lot of thought went into his decision! As it should be! Bill Montague

The list of violent offenses seem to be clearly violent and harmful and worthy of the punishment being proposed. As for the 3% improvement if you or a loved one were one of the 3 out of every hundred that were not a victim as a result of this legislation, I am guessing 3% would seem like a very significant improvement. The one thing Ms Dolan and the Governor have in common is a career defending criminals. If the Governor is concerned, doesn't he have the authority to commute the sentence? That would seem like the ultimate "safety valve" to me should someone be unjustly sentenced.

You nailed it, Steve. I've also spent quite a bit of time in the courts and I can tell you that young drug addicted individuals are given MANY opportunities to pull their lives together. Melissa's bill addresses the most violent offenders in the system and apparently Ms. Dolan would rather have them in our neighborhoods than in prison. Bill, if you truly care about drug offenders being in prison, you'll support Melissa's Bill. I guarantee if the bill doesn't pass there will not be another opportunity to reduce sentences for a long time.

Mz Dolan and the Gov'nor have two things in common. They are both über-liberal world socialists, and they're ooey-gooey soft on crime.

I personally believe that EVERY day a violent criminal is locked up – honest citizens are SAFER!

I think the 3% figure is liberal hogwash, - but even if it is true – that 3% of our population spared another violent crime.

This evil-doer butchered a man in a wheelchair and his grandmother in 1991. Under the old law, he's up for parole.
http://bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1061150093

Had Melissa's Law been in effect in 1991, he would have been sentenced to
life without parole for two or more murders.

Les Gosule, father of Melissa, said yesterday,
"To violent criminals and their apologists who complain that this law is too harsh, I say: "If you can't do the time, don't do the crime". If you don't want to go to prison under this law, take responsibility for your actions and refrain from committing multiple acts of violence. It's that simple". AMEN !!
http://3strikeslaw.blogspot.com/search/label/NewLaw

It's easy to wash over the problem by saying "If you can't do the time don't do the crime." By that statement you do not understand the word Addicted! Addiction is not a choice! It is a disease like any other disease. Norway has a new way of treating those sent to prison. They are all doing time but they give them a opportunitey to Learn a Trade. This allows them to gain self-respect - which they did not have and also they have a way to earn a living when they get out. The System is working with impressive results. Addiction is not easy to break as any addict will tell you. Some of us are addicted to food - look aroung you. This addiction however is not a crime, but a disease. Drug addicts have a disease and it needs to be treated as such. These folks need treatment as well as prison time. Norway seems to have hit on a reasonable solution. Cheers! Bill Montague

Let's not compaire Apples with Oranges. I am not speaking about VIOLENT crimes.
I was addreseing the Disease - yes addiction is a Disease! Listening to addicts talk about their addtiction? Some say once they are caugut up with drugs they do not wat to stop! They like the feeing the drugs give them! Additction comes in all sizes and shapes. What I am addressing is the untold numbers of prizioners who's crime is drug addition. I am not addressing those who commit murder.
I cannot answer for Mara Dolan! I know she has a lot more experience with criminal defense than I have. When I have spoken to her - she answered my questions to my satisfaction. She is the one I am backing for state senator. You look at the runners and take your pick. I have decided Mara Dolan is the one I will vote for. Cheers! BIll Montague

Folks, please discuss concepts and not other users. If we can't have this, I'll close comments on this article. Thanks.

Hi Folks all I am talking about is My choice for Mara Dolan for state Senator. Andrew is right! Cheers! BIll Montague

I agree with Iron Mike---Lets get tough on crime----We should behead at least 3% of the population each year....Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to Fox News to see what my next opinion should be......

The ISSUE is Mara Dolan's soft-on-repeat-offenders position.

She doesn't like the 3 Strikes bill. She wants to focus on 'rehabilitation'.

Sadly just two days ago William Bryant Moseley - who shot his first wife in the face in 1996 – gave us a perfect example why rehabilitation is a myth. He strangled his second wife.

Now we'll pay for more legal defense, psychiatric exams, court appearances, etc.

We need the DEATH PENALTY back, and Mara opposes it. What happened in Tucson and Colorado ~ could ~ easily have happened here. Well, it did – at Edgewater Technologies.

I am finished! This discussion has gone off the subject of Mara. Bill Montague

And what of the victims. I did not read one sentence about the long lasting, sometimes permanent effects on the victims. Have you ever been a victim? Life threatened? Family threatened? Not a violent crime yet? To the victim it is. And yes, I am a survivor. The next victim was not. When does the non-violent lead to violence? It's all about money? Why would the cost be prohibitive? Prisons should only provide basic survival. Nothing more. The prisoner adjusts to the level of financing, not the other way around.