Should we put gang members now in prison into the armed forces?

Question

Prisons are rife with gang members, of different ethnic and racial groups, that have their own form of gang leadership, codes of ethics (i.e., killing rival gang members), methods of encrypting messages sent from outside gang leadership, details in place to smuggle in contraband, and escape plans.

Since they think they are so smart, as well as having built up their bodies working out in the prison yard, why not draft them into specialized forces of the armed services, so that they can use their gang skills above (and more) to fight the ever-increasing danger in the middle east instead of sending tired reservists with families or our young, law-abiding men to their dismemberment and deaths?

I think it would be appropriate, not cruel and unjust punishment, to put such vicious criminals to real work: that of hunting down and eliminating terrorists. Maybe then they'd learn how to make it in society, because they'd have to live by their wit & RULES.

What do you think of this?

ADDED: do not assume that i propose putting these dregs of society with our troops at ALL. their training would be separete, their place of deployment would be the most, not least, dangerous. their platoon leaders, note plural, would be far, far tougher on them. no, they would not intermingle with the general population of our brave young men. they are not good enough or smart enough to work for Blackwell, nor do they deserve the protection private contractors get.

and as far as i'm concerned, while they are in combat, i could give a damn if they shoot one another. if they DO make it, then maybe they won't return to the life they are sure to return to when they get out of prison NOW. i think we should make men out of them, the HARD WAY, just as they have given a HARD WAY to all they have victimized.

Answer 1

Interesting concept. It reminds me of the classic 1960’s motion picture, “The Dirty Dozen,” in which 12 inmates in the stockade facing the gallows or life sentences were given an opportunity to redeem themselves and be pardoned for their offenses if they survive a special-force suicide mission.

Since many gang members are from broken homes and chose that lifestyle in order to have solidarity and brotherhood, they may very well be viable candidates for such if they were to pass psychological screening, of course

I recently saw in another area of this forum that the motion-picture "American History X" was based on a true story. In other words, racist-gang types CAN be reformed.

In a sense, special-force units are similar to gangs because of their loyalty to one another and determination to vanquish the enemy. If these reprobates can pass muster and adhere to the military code of discipline, I say go for it.

Answer 2

One cannot have prisoners at war because the greater good of said Country will loose any advantage and intention to emmulate a positive outcome.

So far few outside of the US have bought the concept of this war.

To simply slaughter an enemy does not provide the winning bid because you still have to account for said outcome at the end of the war.

I thought they were designing ocean vessels to replace over populated prisons I might be wrong but I am sure I read that somewhere. What a miserable life that would be.

I certainly don't want to thank a prisoner for saving a Country in my lifetime.

Why redeem what is not worthy of redemption.

Furthermore I would not want to spend too much time on the topic based on the fact that

I would rather the prisoner know I have no time for him at all.

Answer 3

Years ago judges often gave young men who committed certain crimes the choice of jail or enlistment. Joining the service saved many because they learned self discipline and a useful trade.

Your question concerns imprisoned gang members. They may not have been gang members when they got to prison, but were forced to join or be killed. Prisons are very dangerous to inmates and guards alike as illustrated by the answerer whose traffic-violating friend was murdered in prison.

Many inmates, especially those in the overcrowded, deplorable conditions of California prisons would gladly join the service if given a chance. Some of them should be allowed that choice. At least one branch of military service is lowering its requirements because Iraq used-up so many volunteers.

It's time we wise up and realize that most inmates are going to be released at some point. If they are left to rot in prison, they will be rotten when they are released. Providing rehabilitation programs and training in life and job skills for inmates would help prevent new crimes thus making us all safer, saving us lots of money, and possibly making some former inmates eligible for military service.

Answer 4

Okay, so hypothetically, I'm an angry gang member who has been released from prison and sent into the armed forces. I have a weapon and I know how to kill. What is to stop me from killing the people around me, regardless of their standing in a war?
Doing that is like giving gang members advanced weapons and sending them back out into the streets again.

Answer 5

No.unless they have a separate brigade .don't need them infecting others.when I become president i will have built for all violent prisoners when they show violence to others a huge prison with just solitaire cells.for all those who have truly weird and violent low life incorrigible behavior, they should be moved to solitary confinement.for the remainder of their sentences,to protect innocents, A Friend was put in jail, for a traffic type sentence, he was murdered by a man,who had just murdered someone that day,they should separate violent offenders from regular ole Joe's,who just mess up a little, and get in jail.As we x hippies say.Peace.

Answer 6

Don't endanger our troops by putting them thru boot camp or in other areas with them. Just pick them up from prison, drop them on the streets of Baghdad, and drop their weapons after them.

Mustafa el bin Laden won't know what hit him!

Answer 7

We'd be a LOT better off putting 'em into the ranks of Al-Qaeda; they'd be worthless in our professional military just like they're worthless right now.

Answer 8

So the third platoon could start doing drive-by shootings on the fifth platoon's guard posts?

If they can't be trusted with their own freedom, how can you propose entrusting them to fight honorably for yours?

Answer 9

sounds good to me. ive been saying that these illegal alliens from mexico should be serving in the military too. Ive been in the army for 6 years active duty. 2 months to go.....

Answer 10

Yes and put them on the front line with nothing but a stick to use for a weapon.