What would you do to change the US prison systems. So many people talk down about places like Abu Ghraib, but many do not realize some of our prisons are about the same. Hives of gang activity, disease spreading, violence, murder, rape, and more. Best of all, the prison staff usually ignores what goes onm, because after all those criminals aren’t human, are they? Dehumanizing people because of one or two misdeeds is downright cruel.
Over 3% of the adult population is in prison, and the percent is rising. Over half of the released criminals are repeat offenders. Other than some social changes we need in society, how do you think we can stop this?
Here are some of my suggestions.
1. Stop punishing victimless crime. Don’t punish the alcoholic, punish the drunk who goes driving.
2. Allow criminals to return to society without a social stigma. They paid their debt.
3. Offer rehab programs instead of incarceration. Do you want to watch people sit in time out and fraternize with other criminals, or redeem them?
4. Stop with the death penalty. Either exile the worst offenders, or build a place where they can be housed for life outside of our society.
5. Give government jobs to criminals that caused damage so they can pay back the victims plus interest. They do no good to anyone rotting in a cell.
6. Do something about the current law system so justice isn’t always based on who has the best lawyer. Otherwise big businesses, politicians, and rich people will usually be above the law, and poorly represented people will always suffer the full slap of the long arm of the law.
*sigh* I only hope that one day the US Government will do something about this. I only wish I knew how to help…
Clar92 – Hmm, I was going to disagree, but then I checked my list here:
1. Roof over your head. Check.
2. Someone else paying for you. Check.
3. Place to sleep. Check.
4. Anal rape. Check.
5. New criminal skills. Check.
6. 3 square meals. Check.
7. Spit in your orange juice. Check.
8. Social stigma for life. Check.
9. Workout room. Check.
10. Fear of constant violence. Check.
11. Separated from friends and family. Check.
Suspendy A – Being a fan of MMA and combat sports, your gladiator comment caught my attention. However, it would have to be consensual. Since I don’t believe in the death penalty, I can’t support forced matches. However it would probably sell tons of tickets.
I reread your question and wonder, are you referring to the criminals in the government that force you to pay for felons because they can’t come up with a decent system, or the actual people in the jail?
Rachel – Good idea, unfortunately I think the criminals would set up camp over there, make some friends, exchange criminal secrets, and it would come back to haunt us.
sebacklash – I can see where you are coming from, but don’t you think it would be better to exile them than kill them. Sure dead people rarely commit crimes, but there is no redemption in killing, only possibly deterrence to other criminals.
So I think there should be a place where they are exiled to and can never escape, like an island in the pacific with no trees that an be used to build rafts. Or, if there is another country that will take our criminal, then they may have them. I just think that the biggest punishment should be kicking someone out of a society for breaking the ultimate rules.
Czar Walters, Child Saver! – Good call. Those people would have to worry about losing their job. I think the people in charge may conspire to keep the jails full to look tough on crime (too tough is more like it), and also to punish people that don’t conform.
I do understand that people’s jobs may be based on there being criminals, just as the military only has a purpose if there is a perceived threat. *cough* WMD *cough* Ok, we’ll raise your budget.
Who knows, maybe all of this chaos, dishonesty, and political fog is needed to keep things running smoothly. But I don’t buy it. I think it is being done for selfish reasons, and I don’t think we need to have 3% or more of adults behind bars for “social dissidence.”
whatshisname – Amen. I’m glad you haven’t let the system defeat you.
kgsgolf – Thanks for the response. Your ideas definitely make me think.
Unfortunately, in answer to your number 1, some people are jailed for drinking. Ridiculous I know. Here is a link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_intoxication
If they are being “disorderly” I can see action being taken, but for merely being drunk?
With number 2, society does indeed help with the stigma, but many jobs won’t hire felons, people are required to be listed as a sex offender, etc. Society could choose to ignore these things, but still, the label sticks.
For #4, I meant the person can willingly go to another country if the country allows them. Otherwise, there would be a place like Australia once was, for lifelong exile. I wanted a place they can be away from our society, yet live how they want. Don’t want to live by our rules? Fine, they can live elsewhere.
By #5 I meant to say make them do dirty jobs that may normally not be done, like clean public areas more often, etc.
Archery Nut – As an officer, I’m sure you have a high regard for justice. You wouldn’t be good at your job if you didn’t. And also, your employment is based on the fact that there are criminals locked up, so I can understand your passion for keeping criminals from harming society, and making sure they pay for their crimes.
But what is wrong with giving them programs for addiction? Maybe if they got clean, they would contribute to society, instead of siphoning funding from their cell.
Since the government is incarcerating them, they are responsible for feeding them. I don’t think they need filet mingon, but we shouldn’t starve em.
I get what you’re saying about the prisoners. You can lead a horse to water… We can’t force people to rehabilitate. But at the same time, you talk about them wasting taxpayers money. Well they already ARE wasting money. That’s one of my main complaints. The current way isn’t working, evident with the swelling of jail populations, so we need a Plan B.
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