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https://justdetention.org/ https://justdetention.org/ This is a charity dedicated to ending the prison rape crisis in the US. There's discussion in some threa

https://justdetention.org/ https://justdetention.org/ This is a charity dedicated to ending the prison rape crisis in the US. There's discussion in some threads about prison rape and rather than replying there I think it's better if this is a top level comment. These folks are doing good work to try to remedy at least one aspect of the awful conditions in many US prisons.

zajd 7y ago
This is going to sound crass, and I don't mean it that way, because the goals of this organization are absolutely worthwhile and something to strive for. Most Americans are OK with the fact that prison rape happens, if not supportive of it because "criminals are bad". I wish there was more to it, but that's more or less where the moral compass of America is these days. It's pathetic, disgusting, and going to stop any real chance at reform. Prisons have all the problems the rest of America does (corporate takeover, privatization, cutting any and all possible costs) but no public support for reform outside of organizations like this one. We can't even address healthcare. Hoping for more moral prisons is such a pipe dream at this point it's almost depressing to think about it.
tropo 7y ago
They propose nearly nothing that would change anything. All I see is offering free tampons, with the claim that female prisoners are trading sex for tampons. (we call this prostitution, not rape) Unless there is something I missed somewhere, that charity looks to be busy collecting donations for nothing. There is exactly one solution that will work. People can't get raped if there is nobody to do it. The people in solitary confinement are not getting raped. As I understand it, most prisoners are denied solitary confinement. Supposedly this is a kindness, but cost seems to be a more likely reason. I know I'd be terrified of a cellmate, and would thus suffer sleep deprivation at minimum, so I'm not seeing the kindness.

zajd 7y ago

This is going to sound crass, and I don't mean it that way, because the goals of this organization are absolutely worthwhile and something to strive for. Most Americans are OK with the fact that prison rape happens, if not supportive of it because "criminals are bad". I wish there was more to it, but that's more or less where the moral compass of America is these days. It's pathetic, disgusting, and going to stop any real chance at reform. Prisons have all the problems the rest of America does (corporate takeover, privatization, cutting any and all possible costs) but no public support for reform outside of organizations like this one. We can't even address healthcare. Hoping for more moral prisons is such a pipe dream at this point it's almost depressing to think about it.

tropo 7y ago

They propose nearly nothing that would change anything. All I see is offering free tampons, with the claim that female prisoners are trading sex for tampons. (we call this prostitution, not rape) Unless there is something I missed somewhere, that charity looks to be busy collecting donations for nothing. There is exactly one solution that will work. People can't get raped if there is nobody to do it. The people in solitary confinement are not getting raped. As I understand it, most prisoners are denied solitary confinement. Supposedly this is a kindness, but cost seems to be a more likely reason. I know I'd be terrified of a cellmate, and would thus suffer sleep deprivation at minimum, so I'm not seeing the kindness.