Prison
- Thread starter milefile
- 25 comments
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Prison would work better if we tossed out the cruel & unusual punishment part of the constitution; both aspects of your question.
That's my only bit of 2 cents.
That's my only bit of 2 cents.
- 9,209
- DerAlta
Rehabilitation would be my answer. But then how do you manage to get a job if the conviction always follows you?
If it's rehabilitation why do we hand out life sentences? Should we skip the life sentence, and shoot them on the spot (ok, take 5 minutes to put down some plastic).
Prison is supposed to be a punishment and a rehabilitation. The inmates are given access to reading material as well as schooling to make them a more productive member of society.
My thoughts are that society has changed. I'd like to think that in days gone by, people went to prison as a result of their actions, and upon serving their time, be returned to society rehabilitated and with a desire not to return there.
Nowadays, some people look at it as a way out of the miserable considtions they are in. Others look at it as a consequence of their chosen careers. No longer is it "If I get caught" it appears as "When I get caught, I'll do a few years, then get out to continue what I was doing"
Amateur Career criminals. The Professionals rarely get caught. If htey do, they don't get caught a second time.
Just my thoughts.
AO
If it's rehabilitation why do we hand out life sentences? Should we skip the life sentence, and shoot them on the spot (ok, take 5 minutes to put down some plastic).
Prison is supposed to be a punishment and a rehabilitation. The inmates are given access to reading material as well as schooling to make them a more productive member of society.
My thoughts are that society has changed. I'd like to think that in days gone by, people went to prison as a result of their actions, and upon serving their time, be returned to society rehabilitated and with a desire not to return there.
Nowadays, some people look at it as a way out of the miserable considtions they are in. Others look at it as a consequence of their chosen careers. No longer is it "If I get caught" it appears as "When I get caught, I'll do a few years, then get out to continue what I was doing"
Amateur Career criminals. The Professionals rarely get caught. If htey do, they don't get caught a second time.
Just my thoughts.
AO
- 24,344
- Midlantic Area
- GTP_Duke
I can't really fault what AO has said here, so I'll just second it.
They used to call going to prison "paying your debt to society". In other words, you did your time, which somehow cleared your slate (at least to some extent), and you got out with a new suit and a $20 bill. The point was that a few years' hard labor clearing brush, building roads, etc. gave you time to think about it and realize your mistakes. The purpose seems to have been letting you rehabilitate yourself while you're inside and decide for yourself that crime is a bad career choice.
Nowadays, as AO said, it appears just to be considered as the cost of doing business, and just one more thing to resent society for.
I have to say, against an apparent attitude like that, I cease to care whether it's punishment or rehabilitation, as long as it keeps criminals away from honest citizens.
They used to call going to prison "paying your debt to society". In other words, you did your time, which somehow cleared your slate (at least to some extent), and you got out with a new suit and a $20 bill. The point was that a few years' hard labor clearing brush, building roads, etc. gave you time to think about it and realize your mistakes. The purpose seems to have been letting you rehabilitate yourself while you're inside and decide for yourself that crime is a bad career choice.
Nowadays, as AO said, it appears just to be considered as the cost of doing business, and just one more thing to resent society for.
I have to say, against an apparent attitude like that, I cease to care whether it's punishment or rehabilitation, as long as it keeps criminals away from honest citizens.
Danoff
Premium
- 34,011
- Mile High City
From a strictly legal point of view prison could be either to rehabilitate, punish or remove from society at large. Any of those reasons or a combination of those reasons is enough to put someone in prison.
If you think the person will do it again but might not if they lost their freedom as a result = > prison
If you think the person deserves to lose their freedom for a while => prison
If you think the person is a threat to society at large => prison.
If you aren't sure about some of these things but the person is still disturbed => mental institute.
If you think the person will do it again but might not if they lost their freedom as a result = > prison
If you think the person deserves to lose their freedom for a while => prison
If you think the person is a threat to society at large => prison.
If you aren't sure about some of these things but the person is still disturbed => mental institute.
- 45
well speaking from personal experience, prison(jail) is a rehabilitating exp. however short my stay was, it still made me realize the errors of my ways, not a place that i intend on returning to!!
- 10,832
In thinking about this I have to mention the fact that most criminals get out, eventually, and if their time in prison only served to harden them or make them even better criminals, it would seem to be a waste and ultimately an even greater danger for honest citizens.
I wonder what effect a show like Oz has on people's perceptions of prison. When did the most miserable life imaginable become an ongoing source of entertainment?
Pako
Staff Emeritus
- 16,450
- NW Montana
- GTP-Pako
- GTP Pako
I say we fence off Wyoming, and make it a prison state. Just dump 'em in and let them fend for themselves.
Seriously though, I don't think a blanket opinion would apply to all criminals. Each situation is different, IMO and deserves individual attention.
I will also have to agree with AO and neon_duke as well.
Seriously though, I don't think a blanket opinion would apply to all criminals. Each situation is different, IMO and deserves individual attention.
I will also have to agree with AO and neon_duke as well.
- 9,209
- DerAlta
Who was the comedian that started that joke? It pings an old echo in my brain about fencing off a state, and letting the criminals have the run of it. Something about once a month, there'd be door that opens up and whoever can make it through there gets their freedom...
Thanks...This will haunt me for the next few days.
AO
Thanks...This will haunt me for the next few days.
AO
- 2,281
what a stupid question...
prison is designed to be a Punishment, Deterrant and a means of Rehabilitation
prison is essential in a civilised society but needs to be reviewed and reformed on a regular basis and the people need to have faith in the justice system...the question of prison is just a small part of a much larger system and cannot be pulled out of context the way the thread started has done....
- 1,823
Prison/Jail doesn't rehabilitate anything, but it is punishment and definetly a deterrant. I know plenty of people who wouldn't do a crime because of the stretch they could get dropped on them.
But trust me, it doesn't rehabilitate a damn thing. I know plenty of people who were good on the outside, but they got sent to jail over something stupid, and came out 10x worse than when they went in.
But trust me, it doesn't rehabilitate a damn thing. I know plenty of people who were good on the outside, but they got sent to jail over something stupid, and came out 10x worse than when they went in.
- 732
Why do we kill people who kill people to show that killing is wrong?
- 2,281
well said my friend....the death penatly is barbaric and no place in civilised society...
why the US still uses this practice disgusts me..
- 12,993
- USA! USA!
I see nothing wrong with the death penalty. Don't kill someone if you don't want to be electrocuted. It should deter some people.
If you are convicted of first degree murder, you deserve to die.
If you are convicted of first degree murder, you deserve to die.
- 2,281
and if you are wrongly convicted....do you still deserve to die?
- 12,993
- USA! USA!
No, but if you're wrongly convicted of any crime you don't deserve any punishment.
- 2,281
in an 'ideal' world maybe....but in reality it leaves no space for error, which is inherant in any justice system.....what happens if DNA evidence or witness evidence comes up after a person has been executed?...its too late...the family can fight to clear his name but nothing will bring him back from the dead...
anyway....who are we to play God?
i do get your original point though Klos...i wasnt disagreeing...i just asking a moral question that the statement threw up....
- 732
i see what you are saying, it's the ancient "eye for an eye" law, (one of the first laws, actually) what i think is acceptible is life in prison, it is a for worse punishment than death, think about it, you are locked in a box untill you die. life in prison has little controversy with the pacifists, so you avoid conflict.
there are certain people who i would have no problem killing, i.e.
> bin laden
> someone who is trying to kill me. (which covers bin laden)
i'm getting tired of typing so ill post later
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