Voting for Stephen Coger ‘under the circumstances’

I will vote between May 9 and 24 for Stephen Coger for Washington and Madison counties’ prosecutor because he lacks the experience of the incumbent, who seems to be doing pretty good under the circumstances. Wait! What? Under the circumstances is the key. Coger heads a nonprofit law firm that helps immigrant and refugee children and women who are victims of violence and trafficking. The firm helps them navigate immigration laws and access resources for education, financial support and medical care.

Coger, 37, is a native of Danville, a UA graduate and marching band alumnus, former Fulbright scholar and gospel musician. His law degree is from the University of Washington.

Coger says his top priorities are public safety, bail reform, crime prevention and community involvement. He says he will be tough on those who victimize citizens by violence or property crimes.

Coger says we don’t need a new jail, just fewer prisoners awaiting trial on low-level charges who pose no threat to the community. Too many are in jail because they can’t afford bail, while violent criminals who can post bail are released, he says. He favors a mental health court, expanded drug and veterans’ courts, and other justice serving and cost saving reforms.

I think Coger’s reforms will provide better outcomes at lower cost. I also think he might be open to promoting changes at the state level that many advocate based on how Germany runs prisons.

My source is a 60 Minutes story titled “Behind Bars.” You can Google it.

In Germany, denial of freedom is the punishment. The prison’s job is to reintegrate prisoners into society and train them to find different ways to handle their situation outside, according to Joerg Jesse, a psychologist and director of prisons in a state in north Germany.

“They’re all human beings, and they know a violent manner. And we do exactly the other way around,” Jesse said. “Don’t be aggressive. Show them there is a different kind of conversation possible.”

They don’t just talk the talk like our politicians. Guards are well-paid and highly trained — two years of psychology, communication skills and conflict management. “They’re ‘calm down’ experts, don’t show power too much. Don’t show guns,” Jesse said. Prison guard is a desirable job in Germany. Imagine that.

They call it “normalization.” It starts with small prison populations. Low-level offenders get alternative sentences, fines or probation. Prison is reserved for killers, rapists, drug kingpins, armed robbers, etc. Cells have doors with keys for privacy, not bars. Inmates have jobs and activities like painting, pottery, soccer and gym. They live as “normally” as possible in a high-security prison — like “normal people,” not violent criminals.

Sounds kind of “woke,” but the results of less crime and less spending on prisons are conservative (little c). Or would we rather pay extra to give criminals the misery they deserve — every two to four years. I struggle with that for meth and opioid dealers.

HOWELL MEDDERS

Fayetteville