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I wasn't trying to justify the prison system based on anything. We use incapacitation, but that doesn't justify anything. I wasn't trying to don some faultless

by tropo 7y ago

I wasn't trying to justify the prison system based on anything. We use incapacitation, but that doesn't justify anything. I wasn't trying to don some faultless, sterile, harmless guise. To eliminate your suspicion: my preference is for a combination of retribution, deterrence, and restitution. I'm in no way ashamed to say that I prefer those over incapacitation. Sadly, the USA mainly uses incapacitation, probably because it causes the least outrage. BTW, you left some items off your list: - restitution: the criminal must pay back the victim or the society for the harm caused (with money, organs, etc.) - religion: we must do something (crucifixion, stoning, amputation, etc.) demanded by God

sterlind 7y ago
Perhaps it is useful to separate means from ends. Of course, we both agree that we want less crime (as an end), but I might favor rehabilitation as an end - I want prisoners to find their way back to productive society because I care - but not as a means - I might not think rehabilitating inmates reduces crime. Do you favor retribution as a end, or a means?