Can we improve prisons in this country? How?

Question

I heard a radio broadcast on this very same
subject yesterday---12/20/2006.

The text and audio is located at:

breakpoint.org

You can use what's contained there for
your answer!

The title of the Breakpoint commentary
is >>> One in Thirty-two.

I just checked it.

Answer 1

Find ways to rehabilitate criminals so that when they're released, they don't go out and commit more crimes. Either that, or don't release them in the first place. Nonsense? Okay, what would all of you do?

Answer 2

Okay people: For those of you that think that prison is a picnic - I'm here to tell you a little story. I spent twenty months in prison in Okla-coma where prison is our only industry. I had no cable TV, I had no gym equipment. No air conditioning. I ate food that was labeled on the box, "For inmate consumption only," I wouldn't eat it, couldn't even tell what is was! People stacked everywhere in bunk beds is a foam mattress about an inch thick. Where do you get these ideas from? Now, Federal pens are the "cushie," prisons not the state prisons. People don't won't inmates to have any thing that is comfortable and we didn't. We worked hard labor everyday. I could go on and on, but I have found that people say, you deserved it and so on. Yes, I committed a crime and I paid my debt to society. I'm not complaining. It seems that people have this misconception that inmates have it easy and why should your tax dollars be spent on taking care of felons. Sorry, to say I think if the money was there for us, it went into some one Else's pocket. It was not a pleasant stay. I was in a min., prison. How to improve them? Let the people out that made minor mistakes and put the worst of the worst in there. I won't be going back either. Learned my lesson and going to school to finish my Masters degree in Behavioral Science.

Answer 3

Most problems have to do with prisons being overcrowded. The best way to improve prisons is to decrease the number of prisoners. But, then again that is a voluntary thing and can only be achieved if people commit less crimes.

Improve the overall criminal justice system is another idea.

Answer 4

Well ... you asked for it!

1) Bring back chain gangs. 15 men/women (no mixing) on a chain cleaning up the roadside ... two mounted correction officers, with shotguns.

2) Meals, three times per day, similar in quality to what a family of three could afford on 1 minimum (40 hrs per week) wage.

3) Get rid of the gym, free weights, cable tv, internet access, law library, steak dinners, etc etc etc where ever they are available.

4) Access to medical procedures at the most basic level only. No free face lifts, or other unneccessary procedures of any type or kind.

5) Issued eyewear: straight black hornrims only (cheapest available). Its good enough for boot camp, its good enough for prison.

6) When not working prisoners should be in complete lockdown. Work crews should be put on the chain as they leave the cell, and removed from the chain at the cell door!

7) Prison temperature should be set at 65 degrees in winter time, 80 degrees in summer, minimum heat and cooling.

8) Good time/early release? Good luck! A sentence of 8 years should mean a minimum of 8 years ... make trouble behind bars, give the CO's any problem, we add time. Expect the criminal to behave themselves, and enforce good behavior.

9) No contact visits in the visitors room only (floor to ceiling glass with intercom telephone systems) Maximum of 3 visits per week (other than prisoners lawyer), each non lawyer visit restricted to 1 hour (see I do have a heart!)

10) Prison uniforms: one piece coveralls with loose waist bands. Virtually impossible to hide contraband (collected during chain gang activity).

If we make the "prison experience" enough of a "real bummer" maybe, just maybe, the convicts will not want a second round.

For death penalty prisoners only: No chain gang allowed, 24 /7 in cell. Execution date set at 5 years from conviction. If they can't clear themselves of the crime in that time, chances are they are GUILTY! Execution by prisoner's choice (I already told you I have a heart!) of Hanging, firing squad, or electric chair.

We spend WAY too much cash on people who break the law, for no return on the investment!

Answer 5

Take away all these luxuries they have. Cable TV, a gym to workout in, a bed, no bills. Hell, it's no wonder so many criminals simply don't mind going back, it is the easy life. Take all their privlages away and make sure that the suffer for whatever crime they have done. THAT would be an improvment!!!

Answer 6

Improve them, we need to give them just enough to eat, and a cot. I would be glad to see the lash, the boot and thumbscrew come back.

Answer 7

Empty them into Mexico.

Answer 8

Make them bigger and keep the S**T Bags inside for good !!

Answer 9

Why should we improve them?...they have it pretty easy already.

Answer 10

Yes.

Take away all luxuries.