Leonard Sipes

Originally written for Crime in America. Republished with permission. This is a national story as several states contemplate reducing sentences for violent offenders. Per the Bureau Of Justice Statistics, 62 percent of all persons imprisoned by states had been sentenced for violent offenses. 66 percent of male inmates are serving time for violent crimes. If we consider criminal histories, the great majority of incarcerated people have backgrounds of violence or are multiple repeat offenders.

Originally written for Crime in America. Republished with permission. Most in state and local justice systems find USDOJ material difficult or impossible to find, read, and comprehend. Getting answers to common crime questions is tough. This article explains why and offers solutions. Finding a trusted expert who will summarize the data and give you both sides of any issue seems to be the solution.

Originally written for Crime in America. Republished with permission. There’s no national consensus as to what we want from parole and probation employees or agencies. Parole and probation agents supervise and assist people with long histories of violence, substance abuse, and mental health backgrounds. What could possibly go wrong? I was the director of public information for the Maryland Department of Public Safety for 14 years.