As a country full of intelligent people, why are we still punishing people the same way it was done thousands of years ago? Granted they get more amenities than I do with a full-time job, but there has got to be a way to help the ones who can be helped. I'd be much more open to using my tax dollars to build more schools than prisons.
Any ideas?
2007-01-22 06:35:23 · 13 answers · asked by tridentoftime 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
zucca: I work down the road from a black belt prison facility that serves maybe the most corrupt and useless court system in America. If you want to talk about not believing everything you read, check out the implied sarcasm in the question. You're right about the incentives, though. It's too bad you're not about my ignorance.
2007-01-23 02:20:37 · update #1
Yeah it doesn't make sense having so many people in jail. If it is over something like drugs or drink it would be better if they went to rehab to get things sorted out.
I was inside for 6 months due to burgulry. I didn't hurt anyone so it would have been better if say I had to pay back what I took and maybe double it and do some community service instead of having to waste 6 months not doing much and not working/earning.
You probably still need it for stuff like violent crimes but locking up millions of people over smaller stuff is crazy in this day and age.
2007-01-22 07:50:09 · answer #1 · answered by Jamie 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I worked at the central office of a state's Dept of Corrections for over 12 years. Talked with a lot of wardens, probation/parole officers - you name it.
Public Safety/Corrections is BIG business. Not only in terms of the people working in the field, but also the people who are building new prisons. The US has the highest rate of people in prison than any other country - but does any of us feel safe? Do we even still walk the streets at night?
The violent criminal should be locked up or executed. Someone like a sexual predator or serial killer should be executed. Have a trial, wait 120 days, review all the evidence and then if still found guilty executed them - do not let them appeal for the next 30 years. That is not humane to the inmate and not an efficnet use of the state's resources.
That said, there are better ways to use the money.
Former wall street guru, George Soros founded the Open Society to look at better ways of addressing the issue. About 4 years ago, they published a report about a state on the Pacific Coast which was able to greatly reduce youthful offenders in one community. The changes started when a state employee was analyizing data to project the prison needs, and he realized that he was projecting cells that would be needed for his daughter's playmates in pre-school. He found that to a community (a city, town, or county) - it doesn't cost them anything to send someone to prison. The state picks up the tab for the operation of the prison. He worked with a community and eventually they developed a diversion program - 1st time youthful non-violent offenders are no longer sent to prison. The money that would have been used to pay for them being in prison, is given to the locality - and the locality uses the money to have the offender do community service and learn job skills. The offender's self respect goes up, they improve the community (rehab houses, paint things, etc) and crime has gone down. Instead of getting an "education in the BIG house", they get an education in life. Repeat offenders are much lower than the national average in other programs.
Thing is, the most out-spoken critics of this approach are --- people working in public safety/corrections. Not one of them ever gave me a good reason why they were against Soros.
2007-01-23 21:29:29 · answer #2 · answered by John Hightower 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I asked a very similar question. Perhaps if prison went from an area of punishment to one of reform, there'd be less people going to prison in the first place. If someone is stealing from someone, there is a reason. Once that is found, the possibilities are endless.
2007-01-22 15:18:42 · answer #3 · answered by Huey Freeman 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If prison isn't an option for you , think of how our justice system has evolved - or would you prefer an old world method of justice?
Steal something - lose a hand after your trial?
Kill someone - die right after your trial?
Would cut down on prison space and repeat offenders.
Killers would be limited to one victim and most thieves limited to two thefts.
Too morbid for you? Guess the present system isn't too bad.
2007-01-22 15:00:59 · answer #4 · answered by Akkita 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think that for crimes where the criminal will never change their ways, like rapists and molesters and that, there should be a death penalty just to make sure they don't ever do it again. Not punishment, just take out the trash! Other things like robbery to support drug habits, mandatory rehab to get them off the drugs and then education and job placement to pay back their victims.
2007-01-22 14:42:45 · answer #5 · answered by barefoot_always 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The island idea won't work. Someone can come get them. Eliminate Judges, and be tried by peers. Get 11 out of 21 people to say you are free then you are free. Get 11 out of 21 people to say you are guilty and suffer the consequences they give you. Whether it be prison, stoning, hanging, shooting, or just a good butt kicking.
2007-01-22 15:08:57 · answer #6 · answered by mbush40 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
prison is big business in this country. not only that it's how prosecutors, cops, agents, judges, etc etc etc, get incentivised. it's only going to get worse with the number of those incarcerated.
PS- prisoners don't get more than you do trust me. people die in prison because of lack of health care, food with little or no nutrition.
don't be as ignorant to believe everything you read.
and more news for you, 1 out of 3 or 4 of those in prison shouldn't be there. it's a new epidemic.
2007-01-22 14:48:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
It clearly has failed maybe banishment or corperal punishment, retorbution by the victim? the death sentence should not wait 8-20 years either and should be expanded to include rape and child molestation, and carried out with in 180 days of sentencing with one appeal only
2007-01-22 14:39:44 · answer #8 · answered by paulisfree2004 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
we don't punish people like we did a thousand years ago. But I think we should. Public hangings, feed them to the lions. Rid the world of the undesirables. Now I'd pay to see that.
2007-01-22 14:39:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
we should look aroung to other countries and find an island with no amenities take the prisoners there drop them off and see ya.
2007-01-22 14:48:01 · answer #10 · answered by milton b 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋