Judge Michael J. Holbrook of Columbus, Ohio, has a unique way of sentencing offenders. He asks defendants what their favorite holiday is — birthday, 4th of July, Christmas, etc. — and then sentences them to spend that day in prison. It’s what’s commonly referred to as the “Holbrook Holiday.” Holbrook said he’s been using this method of sentencing since 2004. He went on to explain that he thinks the gravity of a situation deserves some sort of reminder of what could happen if offenders don’t comply with their probation. He said he got the idea from federal court judges, who will sometimes sentence individuals to jail on every federal holiday throughout the year. An example is 44-year-old Betina Young, who was convicted of illegally selling drivers licenses. Judge Holbrook asked Young what her favorite holiday was, and when she replied that it was Christmas Day, he sentenced her to spend the next five Christmas Days in jail. In addition, Young also received five years probation and was assessed a $3,000 fine for tampering with state records. If she violates her probation, she will be sentenced to 15 years in prison. Holbrook estimates that he has given “Holbrook Holidays” to approximately 40 people. "With the cost of prisons rising in Ohio, this really is an alternative and effective form of sentencing," Holbrook said.
