April 4, 2021 – Letter to the Editor – Denver Post
School discipline bill dangerous for students and staff
Re: “Shut down the school-toprison pipeline,” March 26 commentary
The school discipline bill, introduced in the Colorado Senate, is well-intentioned but goes too far. The bill, as written, just about removes law enforcement staff, i.e., school resource officers from every school district in the state.
Specifically, it “prohibits law enforcement officers from arresting students, or issuing a summons, ticket, or notice requiring the appearance of a student in court” for many offenses, including certain cases of illegal drugs in school, harassment, trespassing or obstructing a first responder in the performance of their duties.
I support comprehensive criminal justice reform, including bill House Bill 21-1209, Parole Eligibility for Youthful Offenders.
Drug policy in this country has failed and our incarceration levels prove that we need systematic changes, but SB 21-182 escalates the school to prison pipeline by ignoring consequences.
Most of the tickets issued in school do not stay on a student’s permanent criminal record.
Many school districts have implemented restorative practices programming to help manage this.
Completely removing the discretion of school administrators and the police will increase misconduct by not confronting it.
I should note that I am a retired federal prison employee working in the fields of school security and addiction counseling.
I have worked with offenders at every level of government, past and present. I would encourage people to read this draft legislation to reach their own conclusions.
Timothy D. Allport, Arvada