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> Why do criminals need to be treated humanely though? Because to treat a human being like they are not a human being makes you evil. > Won't the deterrent ef

by nkoren 11y ago

> Why do criminals need to be treated humanely though? Because to treat a human being like they are not a human being makes you evil. > Won't the deterrent effect of prison be reduced if we go too easy on them? Data says: no. Beyond the simple deterrence of losing one's liberty (which is significant), the harshness of prison has no real deterrent effect -- but does serve to acclimate prisoners to violence, coercion, and anti-social behaviour. What prison does is rehabilitate, or fail to rehabilitate. That is the metric which matters.

MarcusVorenus 11y ago
Why would it be evil? It is merely self-defense. Why do we need to treat savages like little princesses just because they happen to be human? I mean if a dog acts too aggressive it gets put down and nobody complains, but if it's a human then it's totally different? I just can't see any logic to it other than people wanting really hard to feel morally superior. I'm asking rhetorically btw, I already know you guys don't have a rational explanation. You can downvote away now.
- Sanddancer 11y ago
  Because the way you're recommending treating them means they come out with no job skills, atrophied social skills, and otherwise ill-adapted for society. Thus, they'll turn to the only tool they have, and they end up right back in. Your method is far from a deterrent, it'll just encourage recidivism and lead to ever more populated jails. Treating people humanely ends up being a lot cheaper in the long run.
- serge2k 11y ago
  Why would it be evil? It is merely self-defense. No, locking up a dangerous person so that they are unable to harm society is self defense. Treating them inhumanely is at best petty vengeance.
- throwaway2048 11y ago
  And this sort of retributive thinking has nothing to do with "feelings of moral superiority"? The only argument that makes sense is the one that gets the best results, and it turns out treating people like subhuman trash has rather negative results in the long run.

by nkoren 11y ago

MarcusVorenus 11y ago

Why would it be evil? It is merely self-defense. Why do we need to treat savages like little princesses just because they happen to be human? I mean if a dog acts too aggressive it gets put down and nobody complains, but if it's a human then it's totally different? I just can't see any logic to it other than people wanting really hard to feel morally superior. I'm asking rhetorically btw, I already know you guys don't have a rational explanation. You can downvote away now.

Sanddancer 11y ago
Because the way you're recommending treating them means they come out with no job skills, atrophied social skills, and otherwise ill-adapted for society. Thus, they'll turn to the only tool they have, and they end up right back in. Your method is far from a deterrent, it'll just encourage recidivism and lead to ever more populated jails. Treating people humanely ends up being a lot cheaper in the long run.
serge2k 11y ago
Why would it be evil? It is merely self-defense. No, locking up a dangerous person so that they are unable to harm society is self defense. Treating them inhumanely is at best petty vengeance.
throwaway2048 11y ago
And this sort of retributive thinking has nothing to do with "feelings of moral superiority"? The only argument that makes sense is the one that gets the best results, and it turns out treating people like subhuman trash has rather negative results in the long run.