Prison Reform Now

[MrsCat 6]

Yep...in fact it is happening in my homes state of Arizona...they are going to be forced to let out prisoners early. There's a bit of duality among the 'tough on crime' crowd - what they want, they don't want to pay for in taxes.

- never thought of it that way before.

[dalegg 143]

My prediction is that if the state of Federal and State economies doesn't improve dramatically, we will be forced into prison reform whether we like it or not, simply because we cannot afford to run them anymore the way we do. So don't worry about.

Yep...in fact it is happening in my homes state of Arizona...they are going to be forced to let out prisoners early. There's a bit of duality among the 'tough on crime' crowd - what they want, they don't want to pay for in taxes.

That much we are in agreement on. You can't have it both ways. If you want to lock up every pot smoker and prostitute when we are in double digit unemployment, you had better be willing to pay for it.

[Caladan 19]

Quite a lot of the prison population are non-violent drug offenders, usually for something like possession. Being in jail doesn't cure their addiction, and recidivism rates are high. Whatever we're doing, it isn't working. I'd rather have the money to keep the violent guys behind bars and funnel possession-type offenses into treatment.

Yes, I absolutely think that the American penal system should be thoroughly reformed. However, how that can be achieved when each state is allowed to set such different standards is totally beyond me.

I would still much rather see a discussion about a very important subject started using a reputable piece rather than some crappy blog though, whatever you say.

MC, Glenn Greenwald is an American Constitutional and civil rights litigator. He's not some guy with a hairy back, sitting at his computer at home and blogging for the hell of it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Greenwald

Blogs are unverified opinion pieces. If you value journalism and its integrity you should seek wherever possible to use sources that have more validity - you as in the general you, not you particularly.

Greenwald is better sourced than most of the news pieces. He's well respected, and he writes for mainstream publications sometimes, too.

[GaryC 7]

My prediction is that if the state of Federal and State economies doesn't improve dramatically, we will be forced into prison reform whether we like it or not, simply because we cannot afford to run them anymore the way we do. So don't worry about.

Yep...in fact it is happening in my homes state of Arizona...they are going to be forced to let out prisoners early. There's a bit of duality among the 'tough on crime' crowd - what they want, they don't want to pay for in taxes.

Locking up drug users and prostitutes is a waste of time. However violent criminals should be locked away for a very long time.

[peejay 327]

Quite a lot of the prison population are non-violent drug offenders, usually for something like possession. Being in jail doesn't cure their addiction, and recidivism rates are high. Whatever we're doing, it isn't working. I'd rather have the money to keep the violent guys behind bars and funnel possession-type offenses into treatment.

I have never advocated locking up casual dope users for simple possession of small quantities, but what really ends up happening is that a lot of them in jail are there for selling dope. What if they are dope selling profiteers that refuse to find another line of work? What if they only sell dope, but don't use it? It's not exactly like treating a junkie. They are a profiteering criminal enterprise that is also breaking a lot of other laws such as tax evasion.

No, I don't think the narcotics situation is as black and white as some want to believe. There aren't masses of casual weekend pot smokers nabbed with a joint on a traffic stop languishing in prisons by the thousands. There is a lot more going on here.

[*Robert* 2]

Prison Reform:

1) Execute all murderers.

2) Castrate all rapists and child molesters/predators on their second offense, no exceptions.

3) Each prison has 3 categories for their inmates: Separate a) the rapists & child predators from the violent offenders from c) the non-violent offenders.

4) Every prison gets a decent library (internet for all prisons but restricted access).

5) Federal government runs 1 on-line university that each inmate can enroll in for free and receive degrees up to the P.h.D. level.

6) If an inmate is a "model inmate" he/she gains new privileges including more visiting time, conjugal visits (if married), ability to leave the prison to lecture at high schools, slightly better food once or twice a week, etcetera.

7) Non-violent offenders get to work for the big 3 for $12 a week

You forgot Flat screen color tv and cable in every cell.

That's the best you can come up with to a serious post!

Jeesh!

[*Robert* 2]

Prison Reform:

1) Execute all murderers.

2) Castrate all rapists and child molesters/predators on their second offense, no exceptions.

3) Each prison has 3 categories for their inmates: Separate a) the rapists & child predators from the violent offenders from c) the non-violent offenders.

4) Every prison gets a decent library (internet for all prisons but restricted access).

5) Federal government runs 1 on-line university that each inmate can enroll in for free and receive degrees up to the P.h.D. level.

6) If an inmate is a "model inmate" he/she gains new privileges including more visiting time, conjugal visits (if married), ability to leave the prison to lecture at high schools, slightly better food once or twice a week, etcetera.

7) Non-violent offenders get to work for the big 3 for $12 a week

You forgot Flat screen color tv and cable in every cell.

I'm sure you would just love to stay in the prison I described. Nothing changed in this "new" prison except that it has a decent collection of books, a couple of old beat up computers, and the ability for inmates to get their college degree (mind you it is a prison diploma and even if an inmate got his P.h.D., I doubt anyone would hire him).

Doesn't it sound lovely? I'm canceling my dream vacation to a 5 star resort in Hawaii this Christmas and going to see if I could book a week at this imaginary prison I spelled out above, I hope they let me stay. It would be a dream come true.

Though some of your suggestions are a little on the harsh side, your list is very thorough and thought out. It would certainly be a step in the right direction.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

There are too many criminals in prison to have prison reform.

[*Robert* 2]

There are too many criminals in prison to have prison reform.

Then how about better and tougher laws to DETER people from committing crime?

Edited March 29, 2009 by roi_aggie

[Ban Hammer 13,355]

There are too many criminals in prison to have prison reform.

Then how about better and tougher laws to DETER people from committing crime?

[spookyturtle 9,466]

There are too many criminals in prison to have prison reform.

Then how about better and tougher laws to DETER people from committing crime?

The death penalty didn't/doesn't prevent violent crime. I don't know what would deter crime, unless they start exectuting people for jaywalking and not paying parking tickets.

[Ban Hammer 13,355]

There are too many criminals in prison to have prison reform.

Then how about better and tougher laws to DETER people from committing crime?

The death penalty didn't/doesn't prevent violent crime. I don't know what would deter crime, unless they start exectuting people for jaywalking and not paying parking tickets.

faster executions where dna evidence pinpoints the perp. more hard labor rather than cable tv and air conditioning.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

There are too many criminals in prison to have prison reform.

Then how about better and tougher laws to DETER people from committing crime?

The death penalty didn't/doesn't prevent violent crime. I don't know what would deter crime, unless they start exectuting people for jaywalking and not paying parking tickets.

faster executions where dna evidence pinpoints the perp. more hard labor rather than cable tv and air conditioning.

I don't think that would have any effect on the "real criminals". It might make someone considering a minor non violent crime think twice, but do you think it will make any difference to a crack head looking to score or gangs doing drive by shootings at each other. Look at how many Texas executed, is there any hard evidence that shows if it lead to a reduction in crime?

[*Robert* 2]

There are too many criminals in prison to have prison reform.

Then how about better and tougher laws to DETER people from committing crime?

The death penalty didn't/doesn't prevent violent crime. I don't know what would deter crime, unless they start exectuting people for jaywalking and not paying parking tickets.

faster executions where dna evidence pinpoints the perp. more hard labor rather than cable tv and air conditioning.

That's what I'm talking about! Along with making our prisons less like country clubs, and more like 3rd world prisons, where their crime rates aren't through the roof!

[I'm Gone 60]

residents of that state. The federal government is not allowed to impose laws on a state unless that subject is expressly allowed under the constitution.

Yeah unless it abortion, speed limits, use of pot for medical purposes, no child left behind. Constitution only matters when some state wants to put up a Christmas tree in one of their offices.