I've never been to prison, but I've heard the stories. It seems like its harder, more dangerous and less facilitative to change than being on the outside. I've heard being in jail is like going to crime college. And the vast majority of prisoners reoffend once freed. It seems to me like our prisons don't work at all. Yet they don't seem to be any major reforms. Why?
2006-07-28 14:00:44 · 9 answers · asked by Subconsciousless 7 in Social Science ➔ Sociology
There is a system built around prisons that is more important than the imprisoned, which needs to be kept in place. That is probably why there is a rise in the privatization of prisons. But also because we generally don't want to spend too much money on those who hurt society/community. Which points to the pro argument of privatization also.
Check the links underneath, they explain things better than I can. Or do a search on "privatization of prisons" which can give you a deeper insight in this matter.
2006-07-28 14:14:07 · answer #1 · answered by groovusy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can't reform a person who doesn't want to be reformed. Prison is not meant to be a vacation....its meant to be a punishment. I think its quite enough that prisoners get 3 square meals a day, a shower, a bed, a place to exercise.....i have to PAY for all those "luxuries"....both for myself and for THEM because they choose not to act like civilized human beings. You're right....prisons don't reform.....because when a criminal gets released back into the real world, he is supposed to then act like a model citizen...get a job, pay his own bills and pay taxes....why would he work so hard outside if he can just get put back in jail and have it all handed to him?
Major reforms? Put more hardcore criminals in the CHAIR....not that lethal injection stuff. If killers were really threatened with a death penalty, it might actually deter others from committing those crimes....but instead, they sit on death row at taxpayers' expense for years and years, appeal after appeal.....when they and everyone else knows they are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. American prisons are a cake walk compared to some other countries. Put an American prisoner in a Turkish prison....I promise you he will REFORM then!
2006-07-29 00:49:57 · answer #2 · answered by Elaine 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What you have heard is true, except prisons do work sometimes, but not often enough. The public does not want to be bothered with them at all. As far as the Religious Organizations that go into them and say they are helping, that is a joke. It will take the public to really want to do something about the problem and not just the little volunteer groups that go in there.
Taking religion to them will not work, period. They are expected to cry out to god and change right then, god has nothing to do with.
In the state where i am at, the only thing left for education is for them to get a GED. All higher education that was available has been canceled. They can still get into auto mech, plumbing, electrical. That is not enough.
2006-07-28 21:15:27 · answer #3 · answered by bajaexplorer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They're supposed to be a deterrent, but like you said, most people come out of prison more hardened than when they went in. And they do usually reoffend. For one, there is no rehabillatation. Two, no one is going to hire a convicted felon so they have no way of supporting themselves once they get out.
2006-07-28 21:06:58 · answer #4 · answered by First Lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People do not want to see their tax dollars going to the prisons and prison system. I have a relative in prison and it certainly gives you a different point of view about the whole thing. Mostly the inmates are doing good to stay alive.
Sad, but true.
2006-07-28 21:06:04 · answer #5 · answered by Chloe 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is true that people learn how to be better criminals in jail. I believe it was Edward Sunderland who first developed that theory. It is a huge problem because our prison system is supposed to reform people. The reason we stay with this system is because we have no other means by which to fight crime except trying to prevent it.
2006-07-28 21:25:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Currently, our system of justice is based on a "Punishment Model", rather than "Rehabilitative". So, reform, is not the central purpose. And, you are correct, most research supports the idea that most prisoners will re-offend.
2006-07-28 21:41:04 · answer #7 · answered by bikerbun 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They're prisons, not summer camp.
2006-07-28 21:04:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The government is making money on them. Believe it.
2006-07-28 21:05:05 · answer #9 · answered by Hielodrive 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋