Anthony Bailey

It’s no secret that our prison system, and criminal justice system as a whole, has been viewed as “broken” for the past 40+ years. Anthony Bailey could have been trumpeted by every prosecutor, judge, and governor, that the criminal justice system actually works. After so many years of impotence, due to its inability to effect change, the FBOP should be using every resource at its disposal to campaign for Bailey’s freedom. Why? Because Bailey has given them premium branding at no cost. 

Bailey’s freedom not only gives the FBOP confirmation, but also every “tough on crime” politician a chance to say that charging us $445 billion annually actually reaps benefits. Trust me, I’ve witnessed just as appalling rationale. If we can accept spending $2 trillion for Saddam’s elimination, then we can accept spending $1 million for Bailey’s rehabilitation. But of course, in true prosecutorial fashion, our system decides to package this story as drama rather than romance. 

It’s nothing short of romantic when redemption meets forgiveness. Many of us have sat in cells wishing that the victims, our families, the courts, and society as a whole, would allow us to prove that we’ve changed. Most squander the opportunity, which is reflective of our recidivism rate, but Anthony Bailey is one of the few who hit the ground running. Since his release, Bailey has reunited with his family, maintained steady employment, complied with every condition of supervision, lived a law-abiding life, contributed to his community, and successfully reintegrated into society. 

The Government works for us, The People, and we should never allow a rogue prosecutor to redefine the mission of imprisonment. If the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit rules in favor of the DOJ, then Tony Bailey will be the poster-subject of all bullsh** rulings for the next 50 years. What type of message does this send? Tony was blessed with a second chance at life after doing 27 of his 60-year sentence. His probation officer advocated for him, the victim’s granddaughter advocated for his freedom, and the public is standing behind him. From the public record, the primary opposition to Bailey's release has come from the prosecutor pursuing the appeal. 

Why as a prosecutor do you feel the need to send someone back to prison when no crime has been committed? Nobody should have that much power. This is why I have never voted to put a lawyer in office.  Now I'm not condemning an entire profession, but lawyers can be some of the most heartless individuals known to man. Their job is to manipulate facts. Mass incarceration was built on their backs. It’s despicable and disgusting, and this prosecutor is a prisonist. End Prisonism