If "three strikes and you're out" is a reasonable step, why isn't "two strikes and you don't get out early"? Donna Ellis says, reasonably, that if Charles Boney had not been released from prison early after he was sentenced for robbing her, his second conviction, he would not have been avaiable to take part in the slayings of a woman and her two children. Boney's lawyer is not so reasonable:
Pat Renn, who represented Boney in his two-week trial in January, said he understands Ennis' feelings as a victim but said it would be poor public policy to prevent early releases for those convicted more than once.
"It doesn't give any incentive to change behavior," Renn said.
Well, yes it does. If you know you'll have to do the full amount of time for a second offense, maybe you'll stop after the first one. Defense lawyers seem to think carrots are the only way to change behavior. Sticks work, too.
