What is the role of prison in our society?
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What is the role of prison in our society?
I watched a documentary last night called Lost for Life, which interestingly was produced by Ted Leonsis. It was about teenagers who murdered others and were sentenced to life in prison for it.
It was moderately balanced but ultimately sympathetic to teens who were potentially subjected to "cruel and unusual punishment" as a result of their life sentence.
So I'm asking I guess two questions, one being fact based and one opinion:
1) What exactly is the role of prison in our society, legally? I see three options:
--a)as a deterrent (if you commit a crime you will lose your freedom)
--b)as a punishment (the penalty for your crime is loss of freedom)
--c)as a debt obligation to society (the cost of your crime is your loss of freedom)
2) What do you *think* it should be?
It was moderately balanced but ultimately sympathetic to teens who were potentially subjected to "cruel and unusual punishment" as a result of their life sentence.
So I'm asking I guess two questions, one being fact based and one opinion:
1) What exactly is the role of prison in our society, legally? I see three options:
--a)as a deterrent (if you commit a crime you will lose your freedom)
--b)as a punishment (the penalty for your crime is loss of freedom)
--c)as a debt obligation to society (the cost of your crime is your loss of freedom)
2) What do you *think* it should be?
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What is the role of prison in our society?
I think the whole prison system is a giant criminal-producing enterprise.
It is neither just nor what is best for the criminal or the victim.
Restorative Justice is the way to go.
It is neither just nor what is best for the criminal or the victim.
Restorative Justice is the way to go.
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What is the role of prison in our society?
a combination of the three
I don't have much sympathy for people that kill other people. Life in prison sounds about right.
I don't have much sympathy for people that kill other people. Life in prison sounds about right.
What is the role of prison in our society?
I'd rather be dead than in prison.
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What is the role of prison in our society?
I understand the need for prisons as well as the necessity to punish criminals, especially the violent kind, but prisons in the U.S. are a huge business and keeping a sizable portion of the population behind bars keeps many, many people very wealthy.
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What is the role of prison in our society?
It certainly isn't for rehabilitation, as it should be.
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What is the role of prison in our society?
doesn't seem like prison does a very good job at actual rehabilitation. if you reduced populations, maybe there would be more resources to devote to the cause...which is an important one.
low level non-violent drug offenders who don't directly impact children should not be in jail. ever. get them out and use their allotment of the budget to do something useful.
low level non-violent drug offenders who don't directly impact children should not be in jail. ever. get them out and use their allotment of the budget to do something useful.
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What is the role of prison in our society?
I think it should be a combination of all three.
I think it is a deterrrent and a punishment.
And, as Hockeynut said, it's a HUGE business. It's not about about rehab, it's about cash.
I think it is a deterrrent and a punishment.
And, as Hockeynut said, it's a HUGE business. It's not about about rehab, it's about cash.
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What is the role of prison in our society?
How about for a teenage murderer? Should they be allowed a chance at "rehabilitation," or should they pay for their cruelty forever?
This is the first case profiled in the doc, and it sickened me more than any true crime story I've ever seen. Hearing them think they should be freed after this is outrageous. They thought it would be fun to mash up Columbine and a Scream movie, so they stabbed a friend to death, and filmed themselves planning it and afterward http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_ ... o_Stoddart
This is the first case profiled in the doc, and it sickened me more than any true crime story I've ever seen. Hearing them think they should be freed after this is outrageous. They thought it would be fun to mash up Columbine and a Scream movie, so they stabbed a friend to death, and filmed themselves planning it and afterward http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_ ... o_Stoddart
Last edited by Miami Vice on Wed Apr 08, 2015 10:41 am, edited 1 time in total.
What is the role of prison in our society?
I think a combination of all three.
What is the role of prison in our society?
I think it should be a combination of all three. However, it shouldn't be used nearly as much as it is. It should mostly be used for violent criminals and those who do or perpetuate harm against others.
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What is the role of prison in our society?
it doesn't make a difference. They ruined a kid's life and his family's as well. They don't deserve to be freed and I don't want them roaming the streets.How about for a teenage murderer? Should they be allowed a chance at "rehabilitation," or should they pay for their cruelty forever?
This is the first case profiled in the doc, and it sickened me more than any true crime story I've ever seen. Hearing them think they should be freed after this is outrageous. They thought it would be fun to mash up Columbine and a Scream movie, so they stabbed a friend to death, and filmed themselves planning it and afterward http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_ ... o_Stoddart
it really isn't that hard not to murder someone.
that's probably harsh but that's my initial reaction.
What is the role of prison in our society?
Deterrant. As it should be. Legalize drugs and get those people out and i think it would be fine.
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What is the role of prison in our society?
Honestly if we are going to have long-term prisons (which I do not really like) they should only be for violent, capital crimes (murder, rape, and Aggravated Assault).
Everything else should be Restorative (Eye for an Eye, in the non-literal sense of that).
Everything else should be Restorative (Eye for an Eye, in the non-literal sense of that).
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What is the role of prison in our society?
I think any murderer with 3 or more witnesses and conclusive evidence should be put to death.
Looking at you Mumia.
Looking at you Mumia.
What is the role of prison in our society?
Hard drugs should never be legal.
What is the role of prison in our society?
Why not legalize, control, and tax? Like guns, people who want them are going to get them, so why not make the process transparent?Hard drugs should never be legal.
What is the role of prison in our society?
They should all be legalized and regulated.
What is the role of prison in our society?
Shyster seems to have a specific set of metrics to determine membership in the libertarian club.
I wonder where full drug legalization fits into that.
I wonder where full drug legalization fits into that.
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What is the role of prison in our society?
i don't think meth or heroin, for instance, should be sold in stores. but under no circumstance should someone be incarcerated for possessing it.
i support legalization for mushrooms and weed. decriminalize every other drug. make it a small ticket.
i support legalization for mushrooms and weed. decriminalize every other drug. make it a small ticket.
What is the role of prison in our society?
Shyster seems to have a specific set of metrics to determine membership in the libertarian club.
I wonder where full drug legalization fits into that.
Not sure I care whether I fit a strict libertarian.
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What is the role of prison in our society?
http://mic.com/articles/110344/14-years ... -happening
Good read on what's happened in Portugal after decriminalizing drugs.
Good read on what's happened in Portugal after decriminalizing drugs.
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What is the role of prison in our society?
Much like with the Welfare State in Sweden or the educational system in Finland I do not always think it really is an apples to apples comparison with these small, European countries and our quite large (geographically and population) nation.
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What is the role of prison in our society?
you're right. we need decriminalization even more.Much like with the Welfare State in Sweden or the educational system in Finland I do not always think it really is an apples to apples comparison with these small, European countries and our quite large (geographically and population) nation.
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What is the role of prison in our society?
I certainly agree. It's difficult to make the comparison exactly apples to apples, but it's an interesting place to at least start and think about the discussion.Much like with the Welfare State in Sweden or the educational system in Finland I do not always think it really is an apples to apples comparison with these small, European countries and our quite large (geographically and population) nation.
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