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Mendon student investigates mandatory minimum sentencing
September 10, 2007...Summer internships give students an opportunity to learn about a career field while enhancing their future resume and making key contacts. One local college student, with a career interest in criminal justice, took on the challenge of two intern projects this summer that resulted in gaining all three benefits. His work also won praise from the district attorney and an influential state senator. When Cole Osburn, a senior at Clark University and 2004 graduate of Nipmuc Regional High School, contacted Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, last spring seeking advice regarding summer internships in law enforcement he never imagined the experience he would gain. The Senator asked if he would survey area law enforcement leaders regarding their opinion of controversial legislation to eliminate mandatory minimum sentencing in the court system. At the same time, Moore recommended Osburn for an internship in the Office of District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr. in Worcester. Osburn was subsequently hired and spent the summer working with the DA's office and observing a number of high profile trials. That experience, combined with his research project on sentencing reform, has strengthened his interest in pursuing a career at the state or federal levels in law enforcement. The main goal of the mandatory minimum sentencing research project was, Osburn said, to gain an understanding of local officials' sentiment toward current mandatory minimum sentencing policies, and whether there was support for legislation filed by Governor Deval Patrick to change the system. Many judges have expressed frustration over the statutes enacted over the years by the Legislature specifying minimum sentences for crimes. In most instances, legislators have supported this policy in reaction to what the public has often perceived as an especially lenient sentence for a highly publicized, heinous crime. Osburn interviewed police chiefs in Bellingham, Douglas, Uxbridge, Northbridge, and Milford as well as District Attorneys Joseph D. Early, Jr. of Worcester County and William Keating of Norfolk County. His intent was to get the opinions of chiefs from large, medium and small size towns. Several of the chiefs are also active in their county and state chiefs associations and Chief Thomas O'Loughlin of Milford has been police chief for the MBTA giving a big city perspective as well. For the most part, those interviewed expressed concern that eliminating mandatory minimum sentencing could be viewed as being "soft on crime" by the public, especially of the media chose to portray it as such. However, there was also general agreement that mandatory minimum sentences needed to be used for the most serious, violent crimes against people, and that some discrepancies existed in the current laws. Those responding in Osburn's survey noted that because mandatory sentences were enacted at different times, in response to different circumstances, some serious crimes had less severe mandatory sentences than less serious crimes with severe sentences. Most agreed that some reform to make the punishment better fit the crime was needed. Osburn listed pros and cons for mandatory minimum sentencing. He stated that most of those he interviewed believed that mandatory minimum sentencing reduce crime, deters criminal behavior, and keep judges from being unduly lenient. On the other hand, there was concern expressed that such mandatory sentences increased the prison population, targeted minorities, eliminated judicial discretion, and focused the prison system more on punishment than rehabilitation. "The project and its research have given me fascinating insight about the ideas and concerns shared and debated by local law enforcement officials," said Osburn. "In addition, it has also become apparent that the current policies are very controversial and in need of further review." Sen. Moore said the report would help tremendously when the issue reaches the Senate floor for debate. "Cole's report has provided critical information about how law enforcement leaders in my district think about the policy of mandatory minimum sentencing. I believe we need to be tough on those who violently break the law, but that the punishment should be appropriate to the crime that was committed, Moore added." "My overall internship experiences this summer, which I have Senator Moore and District Attorney Early to thank for, have further strengthened my interests in pursuing a career in the field of government law enforcement," said Osburn. Osburn is the son of Richard and Janine Osburn of Mendon. When he is not learning about the criminal justice system or studying at Clark University, Cole can be found in a ballpark playing his favorite sport. An exceptionally talented baseball player, Osburn has been a key member of the Clark Cougars Varsity baseball team and contributed to the success of two Division III state champion Nipmuc High teams, and the Northbridge Legion Baseball team. |
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