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Maybe because politicians obsess on selling the features of their "tough on crime" policy versus the benefits of the rehabilitation such as lower re-offending r
by pmjoyce 17y ago
Maybe because politicians obsess on selling the features of their "tough on crime" policy versus the benefits of the rehabilitation such as lower re-offending rates and cheaper execution. It's an easier sell and doesn't take much explanation.
- philk 17y agoI can think of a few more reasons too: 1) Rehabilitation and its benefits can't be as simply explained. In politics, where the other side will be scrutinising your every word for something they can twist out of context, simple = good. You want a simple message and you want to repeat it endlessly. 2) There are powerful interests that benefit from the current prison system - private prison operators and prison guard unions to name two. 3) Rehabilitation won't always work. If you endorse it, and even one prisoner gets out and rapes/murders someone your opponents will drag your name (and career) through the mud. "Person X would still be alive today if not for Candidate Y!" sort of things.