Art All Night shooting
In the aftermath of the so-called “Art All Night mass shooting” many concerned citizens have offered ideas on what can be done to prevent violence like this from happening again.
Solutions included tighter gun laws, better security at the event, metal detectors inside the building, changing the 24 hour all night format, eliminating the event entirely and law enforcement working with community leaders to help stem potential gang violence .
There obviously is no one solution to prevent violence like this, but we should not overlook one important element that in this instance might be at the root cause.
According to an article written by Issac Avilucea , (Trentonian 6/19/18) ,the shooter Tahij Wells , had just been released from prison after serving 18 years for aggravated manslaughter. Most of his prison time was apparently spent in solitary confinement which reportedly exacerbated his mental health. The Trentonian article also revealed that Wells said he had no idea how he would support himself once he was released from prison. He is quoted as saying “I’ve accomplished nothing, the most job training I had was sweeping the floor.” Mr. Avilcea’s excellent article also pointed out that Wells bounced around New Jersey from prison to prison and was afraid of how he’s get by on the outside. A few weeks prior to the mass shooting Wells was quoted as saying “I spent my whole life in a cell, all day with nothing to do” He also voiced concern about being back in the real world without any education or any kind of trade. Wells is a perfect example of what can happen when our prison system fails to prepare inmates for their eventual release into our communities.
In 1974 when I was a Freeholder and served as Chairman of the Corrections Department I implemented a work release program whereby County inmates with six months or less remaining on their prison terms were given an opportunity to work with a local building contractor rehabilitating run down Trenton houses. They learned the basics about how to become painters, carpenters and plumbers. This project gave them a little money to help support their families , pay off debts and pay the county for their room and board. Most importantly the contractor offered to hire the efficient workers when they completed their prison sentence. This was only a small scale experimental project , but it worked well. It is an example of the kind of things that can be done to help curb violence resulting from the warehousing of inmates. We must realize that inmates like Tahaij Wells are eventually going to be released to our community and if they have no hope they will most likely continue their life of crime and violence.
— Joe Tighue, Hamilton