6 ms·
Being outraged about this one policy in one state is like focusing on a paper cut when the patient is a bloated corpse. Prison systems across the country are fo
by cgriswald 8y ago
Being outraged about this one policy in one state is like focusing on a paper cut when the patient is a bloated corpse. Prison systems across the country are focused almost exclusively on exploitation of inmates and taxpayers for profit or political gain, making our world less safe. Rehabilitation is given lip service but is actually actively discouraged, because recidivism means more money.[0]
If the article gets people more outraged about the system as a whole, fantastic. If it just gets this one policy reversed, that's a positive, I guess, but it means people get to feel good about that and pretend or forget about all the other problems with these systems.
[0] - I am aware of many of the programs which are exceptions to this rule.
- danso 8y agoI definitely agree with your assessment, but I do think it's worthwhile to focus on smaller "paper cut" injustices. For one, the smaller injustices are usually microcosms of the overall systemic failures, and provide a digestible window into the greater problem. Two, if it's unlikely (if ever) that system-wide reform will be enacted, it's still worthwhile to relieve inmates of these day-to-day problems, which, over long sentences, can result in real harm at the individual level.
- tyingq 8y agoThis one is silly and egregious enough that it might be useful to raise awareness.