4 ms·

Aside from poorly-drafted laws, committing a felony is a good signal to the rest of society, most of whom well never be convicted of a felony, that you are diff

Aside from poorly-drafted laws, committing a felony is a good signal to the rest of society, most of whom well never be convicted of a felony, that you are different in a way that makes you more likely to commit a felony worth charging. Your debts are not cleared when you've served your time, you are still a convicted felon even after you're out.

mulmen 9y ago
If the debt is not cleared why let the person out at all? Why is a felony conviction a good signal for anything? We know convictions are disproportionate based on race and economic status. The executives at Equifax did a lot more damage to the American public than most drug offenders and yet they will never serve a day of time for their actions. You can't separate poorly drafted laws from felony convictions because the conviction itself carries the consequence. If the laws are poorly drafted the consequences are unfair.
- KGIII 9y ago
  They let them out because they believe they are no longer a threat. That's different than what people call their debt, in that it is just a portion of the total debt. If not obvious, I don't agree with that sentiment. I think prisons should be about reform more than debt or punishment. Very few people pose a real risk and a significant number of them could be reformed, if studies are to be believed.
  - mulmen 9y ago
    Exactly. The system is a contradiction. The debt cannot be repaid because we offer no way to move beyond it.
- alexanderstears 9y ago
  we know convictions are disproportionate based on race and economic status. we also know that all protected classes are equally likely to murder. The standard for guilt is the same regardless of any protected class status. The executives at Equifax did a lot more damage to the American public than most drug offenders and yet they will never serve a day of time for their actions. It's a sorry state of affairs that retribution is subordinated to wealth, but we can fix that with tougher laws.

mulmen 9y ago

If the debt is not cleared why let the person out at all? Why is a felony conviction a good signal for anything? We know convictions are disproportionate based on race and economic status. The executives at Equifax did a lot more damage to the American public than most drug offenders and yet they will never serve a day of time for their actions. You can't separate poorly drafted laws from felony convictions because the conviction itself carries the consequence. If the laws are poorly drafted the consequences are unfair.

KGIII 9y ago
They let them out because they believe they are no longer a threat. That's different than what people call their debt, in that it is just a portion of the total debt. If not obvious, I don't agree with that sentiment. I think prisons should be about reform more than debt or punishment. Very few people pose a real risk and a significant number of them could be reformed, if studies are to be believed.
- mulmen 9y ago
  Exactly. The system is a contradiction. The debt cannot be repaid because we offer no way to move beyond it.
alexanderstears 9y ago
we know convictions are disproportionate based on race and economic status. we also know that all protected classes are equally likely to murder. The standard for guilt is the same regardless of any protected class status. The executives at Equifax did a lot more damage to the American public than most drug offenders and yet they will never serve a day of time for their actions. It's a sorry state of affairs that retribution is subordinated to wealth, but we can fix that with tougher laws.