An example would be that in most states that if a person is sentenced to 5 years in prison, this is really the "back up time?" Most non violent crimes including molesting or drug sales- the person is on a "catch and release system". In other words they are placed on probation to continue on with life as usual for all practical purposes. Even if a person does go to prison, in most states they serve about 2-4 MONTHS for each year the judge sentences them to. Does the punishment match the crime or do we make it too easy on the criminal? The bottom line is the U S of A has more killing and molesting of child and drug sales than other industrialized countries. WHY, unless we are just TOO EASY?
2006-09-10 06:37:46 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
We have a real mess on our hands. We have way too many things that are illegal, and as a result, the whole system is watered down to the point where real criminals get off with a slap on the wrist.
If we took thieves out and shot them, we soon would have a theft free society. If we took rapists out and castrated them with rusty hedge clippers, and then shot them, our daughters would be safe. If the jerk next door playing obnoxious rap noise at all hours of the night could be taken out and horse whipped, that problem too would be solved.
We are just too damn concerned with the so called rights of the perps, and too soft hearted to administer the correct punishments.
2006-09-10 06:50:37 · answer #1 · answered by yellowcab208 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Despite what knewnickname says, the amout of people in US prisons has been steadily increasing over the past 10-20 years. New prisons are being built at a startling rate. It has got to the stage where private prison companies will shell out the millions of dollars necessary to build a prison without any guarantee that they will be filled - they KNOW they will be filled.
This is happening while crime rates are staying pretty much the same. In other words, there are no more crimes being committed, but more people are going to jail.
The US has the highest (or certainly one of the highest) incarceration rates per capita in the world. It also has some of the highest rates of violent crime in the world. Unfortunately "tough on crime" simply does not work. I wish it was that simple but it aint. A long prison sentence has no more deterrent value than a short one.
Do some research on this: look at criminology textbooks, government statistics, etc etc... dont listen to the news media and other people who dont know.
2006-09-10 13:37:42 · answer #2 · answered by dave_eee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't have a problem with the law and the sentencing being reduced. What I have a problem with is ALL Americans are not treated equal. If I committed a crime today I'd be arrested and tried by my peers and sentenced and it would be on my record for any and all to see. But in this country of ours MONEY does talk and it pays for our crimes. If your a celebrity or government official or own a major company or a child of any of those mentioned you you can bet your bottom dollar that 1) you will get out of it, 2) it will not be held against you EVER, 3) you will be free to do it again and again, 4) who cares, I mean after all your the KING!!!,5) and what's a few dollars out of your vast millions...not just the rich that are getting away with crimes. We have teachers that have molested our children in schools and the board of education seal their records and the teacher is free to go to another state or district to teach and molest other children. Priests molest and are sent to other churches. Police who let authority go to their heads are either transferred or moved to a desk job. The list goes on and on. I think if the laws are written then they should be for everyone. I think every individual should be treated the same for the same crime in which he/she commits. It should not be based on age, sex, race, or income.
2006-09-10 07:00:38 · answer #3 · answered by sassywv 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I beleive State Troopers that murder should go to jail and the man convicted for get out in Pennciltuky of Striking Distance fame where they have a lousy Small Claims Court System, terms Commonwealth, Court of Common Pleas and Commonwealth Court, 203 members in the Pennsylvania House of Reps, do not post The Pennsylvania Declaration of Rights on the wall in Spanish, and do not post The Constitution of The United States on the wall in Russian. To call them Rednecks, Ridge Runners, Hillbillies, and Leatherheads throughout the 1800's.
2006-09-10 06:51:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The population in the US has more than doubled in my lifetime, but the prison capacity hasn't. So there is a shortage of space. And that's presuming the crime rate was level, which it wasn't. We'd have to really increase the tax dollars to build new prisons for starters, and there is a lack of political will & the not in my back yard roadblocks. Just for starters.
2006-09-10 06:43:58 · answer #5 · answered by knewknickname 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No on hard enough, and yes on too easy.
- Look at what illegal aliens are getting away with.
2006-09-10 06:41:58 · answer #6 · answered by Stingray 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋