Prison boss charged with DUI

Harley Lappin (who has just announced his retirement from his postion as Director of the Bureau of Prisons) was arrested last month outside Annapolis

Capital Gazette Communications
Published 03/31/11

The director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, was arrested last month near his Annapolis Neck home and charged with six crimes, including driving under the influence and reckless driving.

Harley Lappin ... is scheduled to stand trial June 16 in Annapolis District Court.

He faces three charges related to drunk driving. Lappin also is charged with reckless driving, negligent driving and failure to obey the instructions of a traffic-control device.

“The highlight of each assignment during my bureau career was the people I worked with each and every day,” Lappin said in a statement on Friday. “They are the backbone of this agency. They are the reason for our success. I thank each and every one of them for their support and leadership.”

(By SCOTT DAUGHERTY, Staff Writer)

So, Mr. Lappin is saying the bloated, overpopulated prison industrial complex over which he has held domain is a “success”????? I would suggest Mr. Lappins interpretation of success and mine differ widely. If “success” means we as a nation now encarcerate more people per capita than any other nation on earth, if success means we are a system set on doling out punishement-for-life for even non-violent, low level offenses, (for upon serving ones sentence, including the probationary sentence in YEARS that inevitably follows, the offender’s “felony” remains on record for life, putting sometimes insurmountable hurdles in front of any attempts to move forward upon release as a law abiding citizen looking for a job and housing…and let us not forget the newly disenfranchised former inmate no longer has the right to vote in Federal elections), IF making the public less safe by these systematic strippings of all basic human needs and rights, encouraging the desperate back into lives of crime in order to survive is deemed a “success”, then yes Mr Lappin, you have been most successful. The recidivism rate in this country is over 75%! Congratulations to you and your staff.

Perhaps it will take a short stint in one of his federal prisons to open Mr Lappins eyes to the reprehensible system he has helped not simply perpetuate, but grow. Why do I advocate a prison sentence for Mr Lappin? When my young son was sentenced for a first time, non-violent marijuana offense, the prosecutor demanded (and was granted) an additional two and a half years in prison due to the fact of my sons “previous criminal history”. The 10 year sentence (minimum and "mandatory) he had sought and was granted for the marijuana offense had not yet satisfied him. What you might ask was this “previous criminal history”? This "criminal history" of my sons consisted of two “wet negs” my son had on his driving record, two misdemeanors for negligent driving when he was in his very early 20’s. A wake up call to any of you who never for a moment thought that misdemeanor driving infractions were punishable by years in prison.

If those two offenses were considered “criminal” history/behavior, then Mr Lappin deserves the same consideration.

I do not advocate prison time for anyone who has not committed a violent act or one that results in victims needlessly suffering from the consequences of the actions of others, but in the case of a person in a position of power over others, in just such a case as this, I feel it is not only"just," it is necessary.

There is a destiny that makes us brothers: none goes his way alone,
All that we send into the lives of others comes back into our own.
~Edwin Markham