[Morgeruat]

This is sort of inspired by the Van Tuong thread, and partly inspired by past discussions on related topics.

What should the role of prisons be, rehabilitate, punish, protect society from dangerous people, protect the dangerous from themselves, a hybrid, or something else entirely? Is there a prison system that has fullfilled it's role correctly?

In addition to the standard prisons most people in the US are aware of I've run across some other models, an Australian prison where speaking was forbidden, the only time inmates could vocalize was during hymnns at the mandatory church meetings, the belief being the same as a time out for a child, that they must spend serious time reflecting on their actions. There's a "tent prison" in Arizona where there are no luxuries whatsoever, able-bodied prisoners work constantly, etc. Feel free to post links to obscure systems, information on whether they woked at their stated goals would be nice, but isn't entirely needed (after all, it can usually be found with a bit of research and help from google).

[ 12-01-2005, 10:53 AM: Message edited by: Morgeruat ]