What is the role of prison in our society?

[Craig]

Im shocked that you miss the point of decriminalizing it. Shocked i tell you!

what, in your opinion, is the point of decriminalization?

Well its called decriminalization.

For the not smartass answer...read tif's post.

[MalkinIsMyHomeboy]

K

[tifosi77]

Let's make it a broad discussion; consider the ramifications of following the approach used by Portugal.

[MWB]

Is this a good use of prisons?

All but one of 10 former Atlanta public school educators convicted in a widespread conspiracy to inflate student scores on standardized tests were sentenced to jail time Tuesday, and the judge called the cheating scandal "the sickest thing that's ever happened in this town."
...
Despite their lawyers' pleas for probation and community service, the remaining eight received harsher sentences, ranging from one to seven years in jail.

Fire them and keep them from being in the educations system. But jail time? Such a waste.

[tifosi77]

My favorite morning drive show was talking about this. Seems completely absurd. And the manner in which the judge handed down the sentence - "Come in, admit guilt, and waive appellate rights, or I'm going to throw the book at you" - seems a little improper, too. Would sentences like this, given that framework, survive an appeal?

[shmenguin]

That's horrifying. But I'm sure those white collar educators will do great in prison. If not,it's ok. people should definitely get raped in a cell for what they did.

The lesson as always...Never do anything wrong in the backwards south.

[Freddy Rumsen]

Backwards South....?

[shmenguin]

sorry...i forgot it's just called, "the south"

[Freddy Rumsen]

[MWB]

I think this has more with a cowboy judge than anything else.

[tifosi77]

I suggest picking up an American history book and reading the chapters that focus on everything from the late 1700s on.

[shmenguin]

i'll be less PC. the south is so full of ignorant hick voting bases, that it makes it impossible for the politicians representing them to get anything right, assuming those politicians aren't also ignorant hicks.

[Freddy Rumsen]

i'll be less PC. the south is so full of ignorant hick voting bases, that it makes it impossible for the politicians representing them to get anything right, assuming those politicians aren't also ignorant hicks.

[columbia]

I'd say that they percentage of politicians who are ignorant hicks is much higher than the population.

[shmenguin]

I'd say that they percentage of politicians who are ignorant hicks is much higher than the population.

only need 51% of the population to be that way to create 100% of the politicians

[tifosi77]

Having grown up in hicksville, I'd have to disagree with the assertion that the percentage of ignorance is higher in politicians than it is in the general population. I wouldn't necessarily say it's lower, either.

It's the old Carlinism: Imagine how stupid the average person is, and then remember that half of 'em are stupider than that.

[Miami Vice]

as a mashup of politics and prison, former city councilwoman Twanda Carlisle is running again. She lost the job after going to prison for embezzlement.

The law states she can't serve with a felony, but that doesnt seem to be stopping her (or her supporters). Marion Berry famously was caught with a hooker and crack, went to jail, and got his old gig back.

Should politicians with criminal pasts be automatically barred from office, or should the electorate decide?

[tifosi77]

It depends on the nature of the crime. I don't have a problem with Marion Berry running and winning again, but when you use your position in government to facilitate your crime (meaning you couldn't have committed the crime if you weren't holding office) than I think that should be a forever barrier.

[columbia]

Was Berry able to vote when he was re-elected?