Court systems do not value family life or any body’s life, they think a way to fix everything is to throw people behind bars.

Shame on the courts. They get an F when it comes to fairness.

“If you cant do the time don’t do the crime” is the most insensitive thing for people to say.

People gotta get to reality, jails should be abolished and look into real ways to rehabilitate people.

Marion Jones did 2 things wrong. She took drugs and lied about it. Oh wait, there was also the check fraud scheme. But, you know what…she didn’t harm anyone, so put her on probation. WHAT?!?! Just because this was a nonviolent offense, does not mean there weren’t people affected by these wrongdoings. What about the other athletes she competed against/with? What about the nation she fraudulently represented? Just because someone wasn’t physically injured, doesn’t lessen the impact of the crime.
The reason we have laws is to attempt to ensure a civil society. She is an adult and must suffer the consequences.
I have a degree in Criminal Justice, I work with the Court Systems. They are not perfect, but we have to work, and live, within the law.

J-Lin and Erica are right on the money, in my opinion. I agree with both of them. It’s so stupid, to spend tax payers money on jailing an athlete who harmed only herself. Likewise re Martha Stewart. These people are not hardened criminals, nor ever will be.

I do not feel sorry for her one bit. I feel sorry for her children. She knew what she was doing and should have thought about her future before doing it. RIDICULOUS!

I believe Marion has to report by March 11. It will be very difficult to separate a nursing mother from her baby, but there is time to start the weaning process.
My sympathies really don’t extend to Marion who has lied to the public for years and only now must hide behind her motherhood as her reason for mercy. She wasn’t thinking about her children when she was poisoning her body, cheating at her sport, and supporting a check fraud scheme. I could not care less about steroids, but she was complicit in check fraud as well. Her children will pay the highest price for her crimes.

Not to absolve her of her wrongdoing. But all I will say is this: there is something very corrupt about a judicial system where non-violent offenders (such as Martha Stewart and Marion Jones) are treated more harshly than drunk drivers (like 95% of Hollywood) who endanger TONS of lives with their negligence.

This is the result of an overzealous government with vendettas against successful athletes. Marion Jones taking steroids has not effect on me or my family and she didn’t kill anyone. She lied to the feds but is it their business in the first place? NO! Now she is about to spend six months away from her kids at my and your expense (all taxpayers). And why is she going to jail when folks like Mark McGuire and Roger Clemmens are walking around free? Our government’s priorities are in the wrong place!!!

I completely disagree with almost everyones comments on here. i think to say “she did the crime…” is completely insensitive. I work in the court systems and I see people go away for 6 months for much more serious crimes where there were victims involved. And this is not someone who society would benefit from by having in jail. I think it shows how little the court system values human life and family life. We would all as a society be much better if this woman was on probation or doing community service and being able to be a good mother for her family outside of jail. And that would certainly fit her “crime” better

I’ve been following the Marion Jones story since it broked out that she did indeed take steroids. I mean granted she lied to the Feds but I can’t help but feel for her. We all make mistakes. She made a mistake and now is taking responsibility for it. I do wish her the best in life. As long as she keeps in her faith in God, there’s nothing that can hold her back from having a great life and being successful again. I wish her the best!!!

I truly hope she will learn and turn the corner from this. I didn’t realize she also had a 6 month old.

That is really tough