By Miles Carter
Introduction
The killing of Iryna Zarutska shocked the world — not just because of its brutality, but because the attacker was a repeat violent offender who had already been to prison.
This tragedy raises hard questions we can’t ignore:
- How many violent criminals walk free even when we know they’re likely to reoffend?
- Why do we rely on a justice system that warehouses people, releases them, and hopes for the best?
- And most importantly: How do we prevent the next tragedy without turning our prisons into lifelong cages for every single offender?
The answer isn’t “lock everyone up forever” — and it’s not “catch and release” either.
We need a smarter system.
The Problem With How We Handle Violent Offenders
Right now, our system fails on both fronts:
- Dangerous repeat offenders are released early, often with little supervision.
- Low-risk offenders are thrown into high-security prisons where rehabilitation rarely happens.
The result?
- 68% of released inmates are rearrested within 3 years.
- Among violent offenders, that number climbs to 83%.
- Meanwhile, taxpayers spend $40,000–$80,000 per inmate per year — and get very little return.
It’s broken. And I believe we can fix it.
The Proposal: A Tiered Prison System for Violent Offenders
Instead of treating all violent criminals the same, we should separate them into tiers based on risk, behavior, and rehabilitation potential.
Tier 1 — High-Security Containment
- For all violent offenders upon conviction.
- Locked-down environment for 2–5 years minimum.
- Intensive psychological evaluations, risk assessments, and behavioral profiling.
- Purpose: stabilize and determine risk level.
Tier 2 — Rehabilitation & Productivity Camps
For offenders deemed high-risk for reoffending but capable of reform:
- Facilities located on repurposed military bases or secure industrial compounds.
- Structured around work programs tied to:
- Government contracts
- Infrastructure projects
- Manufacturing (e.g., uniforms, electronics, logistics support)
- Offenders generate revenue to offset incarceration costs.
- Includes therapy, skills training, and education.
- Annual reviews determine whether they remain in Tier 2 or step down.
Tier 3 — Supervised Reintegration
For those who’ve proven consistent behavioral improvement:
- Transition into supervised housing or halfway programs.
- Mandatory employment, education, and GPS monitoring.
- Strict conditions: one violation = automatic return to Tier 2.
Why This Works
| Problem | Current System | Tiered Model |
|---|---|---|
| Repeat violent crime | Offenders released blindly after “time served.” | Confine & monitor high-risk individuals until risk drops. |
| Cost to taxpayers | $40k–$80k per inmate annually. | Offenders generate revenue via structured labor. |
| Rehabilitation | Idleness, violence, and gangs dominate prison culture. | Structured work + therapy improves outcomes. |
| Public safety | “Time served” ≠ “risk eliminated.” | Sentences adapt to the offender’s demonstrated behavior. |
A Smarter Alternative to “Lock Them Up Forever”
Some argue we should just impose life sentences for violent crime. But here’s the reality:
- It’s insanely expensive — averaging $1.2M per inmate over a lifetime.
- It removes all incentive for offenders to change.
- It fails to distinguish between a single impulsive act and a lifelong violent pattern.
A tiered model solves this:
- Dangerous individuals stay confined but remain productive.
- Lower-risk offenders have a real chance at rehabilitation.
- Society gets safer streets and economic returns.
How This Could Have Prevented Zarutska’s Killing
Under this model:
- The killer’s prior conviction → automatic placement in Tier 1.
- Risk assessment likely flags him as high-risk.
- Instead of early release, he moves into Tier 2 secured work facilities.
- He would never have been free to commit this crime — without resorting to a blanket life sentence.
The Call to Action
We can’t keep pretending the system works. It doesn’t.
Every day, high-risk violent offenders walk free, unchecked and unsupervised.
A tiered prison system isn’t just policy reform — it’s common sense:
- Keep dangerous people secure.
- Give reformable offenders the tools to succeed.
- Make prisons self-sustaining through structured productivity.
- Protect the public while lowering costs.
It’s time to rethink incarceration before another life is lost unnecessarily.
Closing Thought
We can balance safety and fairness without choosing between chaos on the streets and lifelong imprisonment for everyone.
The tools exist. The facilities exist.
What’s missing is the will to fix a broken system.
If we want fewer tragedies like Iryna Zarutska’s, we need bold solutions — not the same old political talking points.
The Human AI View 
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