Justice System: A Broken Promise

The justice system is often seen as a straightforward deal: crime equals punishment. But what if this idea is flawed and causes more harm than good? Two people, one who lost a loved one to violence and another who is currently in prison, share their thoughts on why the current system isn't working. They both support the Judicial Discretion Act, a bill that could change how sentences are handled in Washington state. Right now, people serving long sentences, even for laws that don't exist anymore, have no way to ask for a review. This bill would let judges take another look at sentences if someone has shown real change. It's about giving people a chance to prove they've grown and deserve a second shot. When someone is hurt by a crime, the system often tells them that locking the offender away will make things better. But what happens after that? The system disappears, leaving victims and their families to deal with the pain and chaos alone. At the same time, many people in prison have also faced abuse and neglect. Once inside, they're often forgotten, with no chance to heal or make things right. The system keeps people stuck in cycles of harm, which is the opposite of what it claims to prevent. The two people sharing their stories have different backgrounds but the same needs: accountability, dignity, and a chance to heal. One of them lost her sister to a violent crime and saw how harsh sentencing laws didn't bring justice but instead expanded mass incarceration. The other is serving time for a crime he committed and has worked hard to change his life. He found meaning in helping others and was eventually given a chance to apologize and be forgiven by the family he hurt. A recent survey found that most victims don't want harsher punishments. They want healing and real safety. The Judicial Discretion Act could offer that by investing in victim services and giving people who have changed a chance to be heard. It's not about erasing harm but recognizing that people can transform. Survivors deserve a system that listens, heals, and prevents future harm. The Judicial Discretion Act aims to do just that.