I watched a program last night profiling the lives of inmates in a Louisiana prison. It was suggested that most inmates behind bars insist they are innocent. Is this really the norm? What lies beneath these beliefs? What are the exceptions?
I know I've asked a couple questions here instead of just one, but, really, any insight on this is appreciated...
2007-05-19 13:58:53 · 13 answers · asked by K 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Robbocop: Similar to my thinking. They simply believe what they believe and do not want to hear any different.
I also see these inmates as having psychosocial closed identity statuses. That is, they've committed to an identity (who they are, and in this case regardless of situation or action) after early exploration and experience, but have since lost touch with the reasons behind their choice.
Many interesting answers. I know so little about this.
2007-05-19 14:12:50 · update #1
Steven F: Yes, I see what you are saying. If they believe they've done nothing wrong, there is nothing to admit.
2007-05-19 14:37:39 · update #2
Mysteri O: Do you have an example of a case where a person who had been put to death was later cleared by DNA evidence??
I am not trying to contradict what you have said. I am actually interested to know how that would come about. I mean, why/when would a case be pursued after it is closed (i.e., after someone receives the death penalty)??
2007-05-19 15:07:59 · update #3
Thanx Mdgreg C!!! :-). Yeah, I find it all pretty interesting.
2007-05-20 07:59:59 · update #4
Mdgreg C: I know zippo about American Law and live in Canada--never been to the US. But, after watching that tv program, that was certainly one of my impressions as well.
2007-05-20 11:04:48 · update #5
i don't think anyone who is an inmate will own up to their being held accountable for their crime(s)...they mostly are victims of victims and delude their selves that they were only in prison because of a great WRONG that was done them.
?And that was THEY GOT CAUGHT!
2007-05-19 14:06:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's mostly political - you have to know how the system works -Most inmates in prisons are probably involved in an appeals process of some sort. Some states even pay for them automatically. So the key is to not admit guilt until you know your appeals process is over and you have no chance for another appeal. As long as you don't admit guilt, and you are imprisoned wrongly or on death row, if there is ever a chance that some evidence is uncovered, you may get released. In California, there are quite a few people who have since been put to death that DNA cleared later. So, yes, it is the norm, and survival and freedom are what lies beneath those beliefs. The exceptions might be the few who feel they deserve to be in prison for what they did, and there are those who truly are regretful and sorry for what they did, and those will be the ones who freely admit what they did. The parole board won't let you out until you admit your crime. Once you admit it, you can't go back. A lot of inmates get busted for being associated with the person who actually did the crime. or as they call it- conspiracy. Most inmates are guilty of the crime they are charged for, but they just got caught this time.
2007-05-19 21:12:26 · answer #2 · answered by Mysteri O 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
K, I don't Know, But I Have Heard Most Initially Protest Innocence, but After Years, the Number Drops Greatly.
Yours and Other Speculation Above, Appear to Have Merit.
Yeah K, Needs to Be Looked Into By Someone, I the Average Sentence is Excessive and Far From Uniform.
2007-05-19 22:47:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Their problem is that some of them see nothing wrong with what they have done! It depends on how you see right from wrong & many of them do not see the difference! Much of it depends on childhood. Some could not handle abuse while others were made stronger by it. Neglect & abuse play a big part in who we become when we grow up.
2007-05-19 21:08:47 · answer #4 · answered by geegee 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
They ALL know if they actually did what they were charged with. Some of them may not believe it was wrong. Very few will admit they are guilty. Does that help?
2007-05-19 21:32:50 · answer #5 · answered by STEVEN F 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Alot of them have just gotten use to the lives or a convict and learned to lie there way through life and have gotten so use to lieing they don't even know they are when there doing it. They actually have told their selfs that so much they believe it their selfs.
2007-05-19 21:07:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Statistic's say 30% are actually innocent.
You know there are maney screw ups in the court systems
I once heard on a court show, how a DNA employee screwed up maney people lives because of stupidity, lazyness and paper work errors.
2007-05-19 21:05:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
No, they just want you to think that they are innocent. Not trying to give a smart*** answer, but have you ever heard the phrase "that's my story and I'm sticking to it"? Well, they stick to it for a very long time. But believe me, they are guilty.
2007-05-19 21:04:42 · answer #8 · answered by LawDawg 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Of course they are going to insist they are innocent. Most are hoping to get out early on parole.
2007-05-19 21:02:45 · answer #9 · answered by wolfatrest2000 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I just think they want to belive it so much, that they actually start to really think they are
2007-05-19 21:02:25 · answer #10 · answered by BRANDI R 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋