Quote:
Originally posted by Ilander:
I would like to see that same data, Orbost. As far as your point, armageddon, I will say this: that is exactly what I mean. The modern sentiment, to me, says very little about what we should do with prisoners while they are incarcerated. Some would like them to be rehabilitated, and indeed, some prisoners are. Some would like them to be punished and broken to the point of being incapable, through fear of returning, of committing crime.
The way the system ACTUALLY works, though, is that many are released with neither, and may very well continue to be a danger to society.
|
It's a difficult moral question. From a purely economic point of view, if prisoners can be rehabiliated and reintroduced as working, tax paying members of society, this is far cheaper than keeping in jail for the rest of their lives. And if they are going to be released, better that they leave prison with skills and a sense of self-esteem. For that reason I come down firmly on the rehabilitation side of the argument.
Sadly human nature seems to have given us a thirst for revenge. The desire to see people punished for what they have done often, in my opinion, leads people to call for overly harsh treatment or long sentences. The vast majority of prisoners are not in jail for extreme crimes (such as rape or murder), but for car theft, drug possession and other 'softer' crimes.
Fundamentally I believe that people deserve a second chance, and that people can change and lead good lives.