They say crime doesn’t pay, but that might not be entirely true in the District of Columbia as lawmakers look for ways to discourage people from becoming repeat offenders.
The D.C. Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a bill that includes a proposal to pay residents a stipend not to commit crimes. It’s based on a program in Richmond, California, that advocates say has contributed to reductions in crime there.
But it’s been decried by critics as taxpayer-funded “criminal welfare.”
Under the bill, city officials would identify up to 200 people a year who are considered at risk of either committing or becoming victims of violent crime. Those people would be directed to participate in behavioral therapy and other programs. If they fulfill those obligations and stay out of trouble, they would be paid.
The bill doesn’t specify the value of the stipends, but participants in the California program receive up to $9,000 per year.
Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, a Democrat who wrote the legislation, said it was part of a comprehensive approach to reducing violent crime in the city, which experienced a 54 percent increase in homicides last year. Homicides and violent crime are still down significantly since the 2000s, and even more so since the early 1990s when the District was dubbed the nation’s “murder capital.”
McDuffie argued that spending $9,000 a year in stipends “pales in comparison” to the cost of someone being victimized, along with the costs of incarcerating the offender.
Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser has not committed to funding the program, which would cost $4.9 million over four years, including $460,000 a year in stipend payments, according to the District’s independent chief financial officer. Without the mayor’s support, it would be up to the Council to find money for it through new taxes or cuts to existing programs.
The program would be run independently of the police department, and participants would remain anonymous. Its goal would be to recruit people who are at risk of violence but don’t have criminal cases pending.
The proposal in Washington has generated scant debate as lawmakers have focused on other crime-fighting tools included in the bill. Longtime civic activist Dorothy Brizill was the only person to testify against the stipend program at a lengthy hearing last fall, saying it would waste taxpayer dollars.
“These incentive programs don’t work,” Brizill said Tuesday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Pay convicts not to be crooks. What to do when our government cuts pensions for workers, old folks and vets. Reward the bad and punish the good.
It costs far more than $9,000 per year to keep a person incarcerated. From a purely financial standpoint, if this incentive is successful, it makes sense. It will result in more money for the people you reference in your post. I don’t know that I am in favor of the proposal, but most people don’t really how much money is drained by keeping so, so many people incarcerated, as only the United States does.
I just dont undetstand why we go around a put people in jail. I mean , geez. Isnt it cheaper just to let them do their crimes and leave them alone!
OMG beam me up Scotty.
how much does it cost expert susan???????
I obey traffic rules and laws. I don’t litter. Should I expect a govt. check in the mail?
NO! You should get a bill for being a stupid law-abiding fool, says BHO, the jackass.
“participants in the California program receive up to $9,000 per year.”
Why should they stop doing crimes for a lously $9,000 when they can steal $50,000?
Yeah, these ‘politicans’ really have a handle an things! Stupid fools.
Haha!
So don’t incarcerate them…..execute them..
That’s because they are criminals!! Are you stupid or dumb??? Sounds like both!!
why dodent every county have a program like sherrif joe operates in arziona arkansas usted to have one like joe only it was the penithury tthey had to work like a gange would pulll the plowes and the cuvilaters to raise a lot of their own food and cotten they would be requred to pick so many pounds a day if he was lazey an dident oick his quota he received a good whipping and got his amount raised . and if the prisoners didnt like the program they dident have to come back for more . now the prisons is a recional spa giant screen tv pool tables if the dogooders dont want them to work let them bord and room them.
But yet this year the retired citizens, and I am, don’t even get a small increase. Go figure. And they blame it on gas costing less. What about food? Unbelievable how they are thinking.
@Katherine…and watch, if the price of oil/gas goes up this year Obama will say that the high cost of gas is not figured into the cost of living and therefore he will not give a COLA increase for 2017. if he does this he will be the first POTUS that refused a COLA increase 4 times in his 8 years in the White House.since S.S was started back in the 1930’s. that is half of his Presidency.
Makes me crazy
Mad at our
Gov..work those criminals o “Chai n gangs” or other areas that we are paying for…
WORK FOR FREE
Yeah I remember when Texas convicts worked the prison farms or made mattresses for the
military which lightened the tax-payer expenses until some do-gooders decided that was forced labor and cut it out. Now the tax-payer foots the whole bill and now WE have to pay the convicts for ANY work they do.
@ ROY F
since when do convicts have rights? they are not entitled 2 tv or filet, they r in jail. where did these do-gooders come up with enough substance 2 pass that argument? if u have an idea of where 2 research that info. please share.
Retirement Social Security don’t get bigger then government checks should not get bigger neither I bet we get a raise an we want the same increase they get
that’s where the money will come from of course – cuts elsewhere- like for seniors, pensions, and vets. Sickening waste of our money.
The money can come from other significant savings in the whole ineffective incarnation system. Please understand the economic god of a humane system
go ahead and do the crime you don’t have to worry about doing time and we’ll pay you too!!!!!!What??????
STOP PAYING ALL TAXES. THEY CAN’T PUT ALL OF US IN JAIL. WHEN THEY TRY, KILL ‘EM.
I’m giving the Democrats notice that I am going to rob some old ladies and I might kill a few people. How much do I get for not mugging old ladies and how much for not murdering. It better be worth my while or I’m going to maim and kill! NOT!
I wonder how much #1 CROOK in the White House gets?
TOO MUCH. He must get jailtime, or Gravetime. I vote for the latter.
So Steve, Should you get the Death Penalty the next time you drive drunk, run a stop sign, or have a wreck?
As i’ve have said and always believed , that if a consistent punishment is given for a particular crime then there would be less criminal activity for said crime. if a person knows that were he to get caught would face a harsh punishment whether monetarily, jail time, death penalty, etc. i think some would think twice … we don’t need to pay people to behave… it’s a waste of money. this country is in enough financial debt and too much welfare…”LIBERALISM IS A MENTAL DISORDER” !!!
“WAKE ^ AMERICA” … THE LAWLESS REGIME IS BUSY CALLING > TRUMP A “NAZI” AND UNDESERVING OF A NOBEL PEACE PRIZE; WHILE THESE CRONIES IN POWER PAY MONEY TO OUR “HOSTILE’ s” TO BEHAVE THEIRSELVES … SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?…PLENTY, JUST YOU WAIT TILL THE END OF THE YEAR . THE FBI & OTHER LEGAL AUTHORTIES HAVE TRIED TO PUT US ON NOTICE BY THEIR FINDINGS INSIDE OF SOME> MOSQUES… I HEARD AN INVESTIGATOR SAY AFTER THE SAN BERNADINO INCIDENT: IF YOU COULD SEE WHAT WE ARE FINDING ; “YOU WOULD BURN THEM ALL” … ANY FURTHUR INVESTIGATIONS WERE SUBSEQUENTLY QUELLED…INSTED OF CLOSING OUR BORDERS, ‘OBAMA MOVES TOWARD A LITNEY OF “GUN CONTROLL MEASURES”, “WHILE CONTINUEING HIS AGENDA TOWARDS TAKING REFUGEES WHICH ARE ONGOING IN THE ST. OF OREGON”… “ALL I’M SAYING IS > WHO IS THE HEAD “NAZI HERE” … I CAN THINK OF NO OTHER MAN THAT IS MORE DESERVING OF: “NOBEL PEACE PRIZE” FOR HIS EFFORTs TO RECOGNIZE THE THREAT THAT LINGERS OVER AMERICA AND WAS SO WILLING TO ENGAGE A DIALOUGE IN WHICH TO OVERT ANY HARM FRM COMMING TO OUR COUNTRY … “TO INSTITUTE MEASURES IN WHICH TO DISARM “A LAW ABBIDING POPULOUS” WITH A “BILL OF RIGHTs”> SOUNDs VERY TOLITARIAN TO ME”… AND GIVES RISE TO QUESTIONABLE MOTOVAITIONs…; THAT MAY WELL BE ALREADY IN PLACE …
Maybe we should all call the D.C. council and tell them if they send us a check for $9,000 we will refrain from moving to D.C. and shooting someone.
They might as well pay them, since we are paying all those crooks in our government, yet they are committing crimes. This is where the people aught to be focused instead of creating more criminals…
So the idiot Dem’s in Congress want to legalize & codify EXTORTION …??? What, isn’t that in the Shari Law somewhere ..??
EXTORTION is exactly the word I was going use. PLEASE criminal, don’t do crime and we’ll pay you. Or how about Mafia, or other gang related ‘protection’ rackets’? Why even be a good, law abiding AMERICAN citizen anymore?
Anyone read, ‘Atlas Shrugged’?
And they can’t even vote for them. I am amazed
How does this extortion differ from the “Tribute” demanded by the pirates in Tripoli when Jefferson was President? Killing the pirates was the solution of choice then and should be the same today.
Think the majority of Americans would agree,what are we becoming when we pay criminals,and throw our vets and seniors to the curb the only word is sickening who are they to use tax dollars for this we are the laughing stock of the world
I agree that we should not throw our veterans and elderly to the curb. But this program is one the citizens of Washington D. C. Have to decide on. There are plenty of research projects that pay a stipend to participate. In this case participants have to attend behavioral workshops and be successful in staying free of criminal activity. Maybe the therapy might work and the city would save a fortune in the cost of incarceration and collateral costs of crime. Even the Koch brothers are supporting criminal justice reform efforts. Maybe they would pick up part of the cost.
While I doubt this program will make a big dent in recividism, I think the title of this article is misleading and inflammatory. A big problem with newly-released ex-cons is getting a job with the stigma of a conviction on their application. Even if they want to go straight, they can’t get an honest job. If you think of these classes as a “job,” then you’ve created a grace period for them to develop a new job resume. Or you can say that they’re trading in an expensive period of incarceration for a comparatively cheap time of parole.
Omg.this is preposterous!!!
Our GOV. IS A
BUNCH OF IDIOTS. THAT’S WHAT They
Came up with to
Save money!!?????
*Some* people are looking for creative method of cutting costs–if the program works, it is far cheaper than the cost of incarceration.
It wont work because $9,000 a year is still below poverty. It will just make smarter criminals that get paid!
Wow, Someone that is using there head instead of there ego, Thankyou, for a good comment. Listen to susan, You might learn something…
So, let me see this clearly. A $4.9 Million dollar program over 5 years. 200 people/yr in the program, that’s 1,000 people. That’s a cost of $4,900 per person cost, yet somehow, there’s up to about $9000/yr paid out in stipends to each person, which is supposedly included in the price. These people will have to go through programs which will cost money to run as well.
I’m no mathematician, but something just doesn’t add up here. This looks like typical Gov’t math.
And in the meantime…Obammie is letting thousands of scumbags out prison and jails…now they will have jobs and won’t count on his unemployment numbers–I’ll bet they had a toast to this brainstorm. Lets really put the screws to the public so they haven’t a nickel left in their pockets.
What is in the Sharia law: To rape all infidel women!!!!! That is what Muhammed did whenever he saw any beautiful female. The reason I am saying female, his women ranged from 7yr. olds to Grandmas. In his life story that the moslems boast, one of his wives was 8yrs old.
crime pays well as Hillary and Obama have shown time and time again…….and there is no punishment for either one……great lessons for the youth of today…..but to use taxpayer funds? Tax the legislators Federal or Local especially Democrats to cover the cost . Its time the Democrats pay for their constant spending…..
Conservative Republicans control both houses of Congress. If the taxpayers of DC think this might lower crime and save a good deal in the long run, it’s their decision to make. Look at it as a research project where, like most, there is a stipend for successful participation. They would attend therapy sessions and stay crime free. Maybe it is a type of rehabilitation that might work. Even departments of correction use incentives with their inmates.
Why are the people not rising in revolt (I don’t know if that is the right word) and demanding that these law breakers be sent to jail. If you and I break the law, that is where we end up.
thats the dumbest idea yet. take the money and get more police and bigger jails. thinking like this mayor is whats wrong with society today,
Almost as good as giving billions to the scum Iranians.
They were given to the Iranians because they are his fellow Moslem brothers. When is this country wake up and see what this SOB is.
It might be a go if you would pay for the police and the bigger jails. Fortunately national Republicans like the Koch brothers and the Texas organization “Right on Crime” see it differently. We already have 25 per cent of the world’s inmates. We need fewer, not more, people in prison.
Would you rather pay $20,000 to keep someone in jail (who will probably end up right back in it within months of release), or $9,000 to make them into productive members of society? Face it: it ain’t cheap to keep someone locked up, and taxpayers are footing the bill either way.
it’s more like $120,000 to keep someone in jail per year.
This is total nonsense a rip off of the tax payer. It’s not justified and these nuts need a good wallop up side the head.
There’s a lot of people sitting in prison because they turned to crime after they tried and failed to make a living honestly. One out of every $15 collected in taxes goes to incarceration. Criminal justice is second only to Medicaid in state budgets, and 90% or that is incarceration. I’ve seen per-inmate, per-year costs of anywhere from $37,000- $168,000. And you don’t even what to TRY a $9,000-per-convict reformation program?
How much does a bullet cost? Or better yet the cost of a flight to Saudi Arabia? I would love to see what they do to the Homosexuals?
I think it’s worth a try, The U.S. has to many people locked up, When you can invest in the Prison System and make money, You know something is bad wrong, If I am not mistaken the U.S. has more people locked up than the rest of the World, Thats Just Sad and out of Control, We need to try Something Different, Don’t you think, Any Suggestions, I don’t mean to give them the Death Penalty Either. Thats Just Crazy, Everyone makes mistakes, If we are Paying 35,000 to 165,000$ per person, per year, That alone gives us a lot to work with and not need more FUNDING, THINK ABOUT THAT
The Money is Already Being Spent. Why not try to keep more from Being Spent, If we keep people out of jail, We keep People from Being Hurt, Robbed, ETC. ETC. And we save LOTS OF MONEY…. WIN, WIN, WIN, Evan if know one likes it…So give it a Try
This is yet ANOTHER ridiculous handout of taxpayers money. Instead, let’s start by FIRING anyone involved in creating, supporting & implementing this (beyond) foolish idea. Next, let’s focus on creating an “Escape From New York” (movie) program, where the worst convicts (murderers, rapists, terrorists, corrupt politicians, etc.) are sent to an island to FEND FOR THEMSELVES.
And instead of paying a ridiculous amount of taxpayers money to allow these delinquents better privileges than many honest Americans, we can simply cut this overall budget (likely by two-thirds) and simply guard the perimeter and make monthly drops of ONLY THE BARE ESSENCIALS. The rest – medical,developing a society within their structure, distribution of rations, etc. – will be up to them. Either learn to live with each other, or kill each other off…who cares.
I agree with your sentiment but, how about “escape from Chicago since it’s already a cesspool of criminals?
“Ridiculous amount”? Do you have any idea what you’re paying to keep them in prison?
If this works 50% of the time we would save Billions, And thats Being Conservative I think we have tried lots of things so why not try this, If it works only 25% of the time it’s worth a try, It might keep someone you know from being Hurt, Robbed, or worst, Maybe someone you know from Being Locked Up. Whats that Worth?
If this were put into effect, crime will go out of site. To many people take action when they hear a four letter word, FREE.
SEEMS TO ME IF THEY ARE CONVICTED OF A VIOLENT CRIME AND WE EXECUTE THEM, THAT ALONE WOULD BE A DETERRENT. YOU WOULD SAVE MONEY BOTH WAYS. NO LONG PRISON TERM. NO PAYMENTS!
Well, more unexpected insanity which will not even work. People need a changed heart not more money!
This is the most ridiculous thing I have heard yet from he Democrats! Vote the Democrats out at every level of government in 2016 and we may see a positive turn around of our country in the furure. It will take awhile to clean up after the mess Obama has made of our country, but it can be done if we get rid of the Democrats and vote in some Constitutional Conservatives!
Why cant dems offer me this? Pay me not to speed or go though a red light and ill vote for Hillary
Sorry Steve…not enough money or freebies to get me to vote for her ever…..I’ll pay to vote for TRUMP.
I often think our Government has gone off the deep end.
(Sarcasm Alert) Wow! Where can I sign up?
Didn’t Murder anyone…………..$$$
Didn’t Assault anyone…………. $$$
Didn’t Kidnap anyone……………$$$
Didn’t Rob anyone………………..$$$
Didn’t Extort anyone……………. $$$
(List could continue and list the hundreds, or even thousands of crimes I didn’t commit in just the last month. )
When this is passed and implemented, I’m going to be RICH!!!
Hopefully this is a joke because no one [maybe Californians] could possibly be stupid enough to believe this would work [maybe oblunder] even those that be;believe guns commit murders certainly couldn’t be that stupid or could they?
This is called BRIBERY!!!
I have not committed a crime in 76 years. Then am I also eligible for the payoff financed by tax payers? At nine thousand a year, that would make me almost $700,000 It is a kind of blackmail that I actually do not like.
I will be glad to pay more taxes to build bigger and better prisons, because then I will have enough money to do so.
It’s time to do away with Democrat s
Wow! I can’t believe what I am reading. The Bible says that the Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. In the book of Romans chapter 1, says that professing themselves to be wise they have became fools. The problem is that they don’t fear God, and they are trying to solve the problem with their own intellect rather than the wisdom that comes from God. The Bible says that whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap. The foolishness is that they can do the crime, but not do the time to pay for their crime, instead be rewarded. This however would not be them reaping what they sowed. History always repeats itself, and so it is now, because what happened in the book of Romans is history, but it is repeating itself all of over again. We need an old fashion movement to conservatism. We need to let God have control of the governmental affairs of this One Nation under God!
This is as crazy as it gets. Thats why we need a new President. Trump 2016
I hate to Burst your Bubble, The President is not running the Country Anymore….
With plans like this it’s no wonder government is broke. I’m going to guess that the criminals will learn how to work the cash incentive program and make more money off bilking the taxpayers than they would have made breaking the law.
19 trillion in the hole!!!
We must destroy these people!!
Vote them the hell out of office!!!
The democrat party is the party of
Bullshit and freesshit!! Enough is
Enough!!!
Did I read correctly that this program is already being used in California?
Just think the Democrats think they are going to control the White House next year, who else would think of something so stupid?
These left-wits are insane. Why don’t they just go all the way.
From the perspective of the Left-Wit Prison Reform Council.
We can no longer have prisoners running away, therefore prisons must be reformed, then rebuilt in order for the “clients” to have an enjoyable, productive, rehabilitative life.
These archaic prisons must be torn down, not only do they look intimidating, but they are a blight on the environment that surrounds them. Therefore all new prisons must be designed like high rise apartment buildings, all cells, must be an apartment, living room, dinning area, bedroom, storage room, private bathroom, no bars, two TV’s one for the bedroom, and one for the living room, a computer, and a fully equipped kitchen, and of course a balcony. The exercise yard should be at least 30 acres, with trees, trails, ponds and a lake, horses should be available for horseback riding. The building itself should contain a shopping mall, a pool, saunas, hot tubs etc…
The guards must take courses on how to be gentile, kind, and helpful, and accommodating.
Prisoners girlfriends, and wives can have full weekend sleep-overs, but not at the same time, one on one to start with.
The above is only a partial list of what is proposed for prison reform. We can pretty well guarantee that no one will escape. Of course we will have to build higher walls, to keep people out.
What a crock of shit. I know the government pays a unreal amount of money for each prisoner. When you think about it they are part of the government. They don’t pay shit for room and board and get free medical. Not too mention free gym, TV and I’m sure there’s probably more. What a deal. The real problem is that we are too lenient. Too some of them it’s a way of life. A matter of fact some will do a crime just to be put back into prison. I believe for all that they get they should have to work for it. What the hell ever happen to the chain gang. Could you imagine how much our stupid government would save if these prisoners had to work. What the hell is wrong with our government???????????????
What happened to my comments? I didn’t break any rules.
This bill assumes the convict will obey the law once in this program. Please!! Can you say free drug money!
Instead of wasting our money, just shoot the repeat offenders. Problem solved.
Let’s see: $4.9 million over four years, including $460,000 a year in stipend payments.
4 years times $460,000 equals $1,840,000 ($1.8 million).
anybody else notice a ‘slight’ discrepancy here?
Ray you are right on and beat me to the punch!
$460K per year in Stipends x 4 years = $1.84M
Program is $4.9M
Leaves $3.06M for Govt. waste and profit for some politically connected company to administer the plan.
In the hands of the DC government, this will become another corrupt program rife with nepotism. This is just another opportunity to DC government people to steal money. I lived there for 30 years and watched it happen regularly.
I went to jail for 270 days was never told I had to pay if I got sentenced considering I got a fine and driver responsibility fees from the state. Ottawa County in Michigan is suing me for $11,387 for staying there it blows my fucking mind. I pay taxes maintain jobs. Yes I got a DUI but all the duis I ever received I was parked on the side of the road and this last one I was harassed for having my center brake light out which made no sense. Yea the jails and prison’s should not be this excessive and create these difficult struggles. If anyone knows an attorney that can help me with a counter claim or represent me please let me know. My email is [email protected]