On December 7, 2000, the worst thing imaginable happened to my family: my older brother Yusuf Dixon was tragically murdered by an acquaintance of his. The loss for my family was unspeakable. Every day I think about my brother, what his life would have been like and how much I miss him in my own life.
The person who killed him has been arrested, prosecuted and convicted. Barely an adult, he was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.
My family and I have spent the years since losing my brother talking about what justice would look like for us. Of course we were angry and devastated by the senseless loss of my brother, but over the years our conversations often turned to concern for the man convicted of his murder.
My brother’s killer has been in prison for over twenty years and will soon be eligible for parole. He has missed his 20s and 30s and will likely emerge from prison middle-aged and with few resources. I strongly believe that he should have access to a supportive and compassionate probation program that will help him succeed in the community. There is no point in two lives having to be ruined: my brother has already lost his life, but continuing to punish the person who killed him after he has served his time will not bring justice to my family. That is why I strongly support Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 4 – SB 4 – sponsored by Senator Marie Pinkney.
SB 4 would reform our probation system to ensure those leaving prison have the resources they need to succeed. I hear from far too many people on probation that they are often doomed to failure because one minor technical violation – such as missing a meeting with their probation officer or failing to complete training – can land them back in prison. Under this new legislation, most people on probation would only go back to prison if they commit another crime. Probation officers would be encouraged to use more rehabilitative resources to work with people on probation, to keep them out of prison and to help them meet all the terms of their probation.
SB 4 would also require that each person’s probation terms be individualized based on their specific needs. Currently, almost every person on probation in Delaware is given identical rules to follow. This makes little sense given the wide variety of needs that every person has. I want the probation system to evaluate my brother’s killer based on his specialized needs that must be met before he can successfully get out of prison, rather than being given a one-size-fits-all approach that may not work for him .
The pain my family went through when we lost my brother is something we don’t want anyone else to ever experience, and it’s why I’m so passionate about probation reform. If the person who killed my brother is given every tool to succeed, I hope he can get a job, stable housing, mental health care, and reconnect with his family. All of these things are the most important factors in ensuring that he does not commit another crime in the future and can make a positive contribution to our community.
My brother was a loving, joyful person who I remember as a man who cared deeply about his community. The person who took him from us has been punished, and it is a better testament to Yusuf’s memory to show mercy, grace and forgiveness. Justice for my family means honoring the values ​​my brother had: restoration, not retaliation. Please honor crime victims like my brother and help create a justice system that promotes rehabilitation and compassion.
Jasmine Dixon is the Sussex County organizer for Network Delaware.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Justice in Delaware requires effective, compassionate rehabilitation
