4 ms·

> Not every case is the same and nor is the punishment. This is how the American justice system already works for the most part. I have several acquaintances f

by _gabe_ 4y ago

> Not every case is the same and nor is the punishment. This is how the American justice system already works for the most part. I have several acquaintances from high school and college that got "arrested" for drug possession. But all that meant was they paid a fine, and at worst spent a night in jail. Jail, not prison. Edit: And I'll just add a bit of anecdata suggesting prison can rehabilitate people. My cousin went to prison for 2 years for being a drug dealer, and since being released he has turned his life around. There's way to many variables involved in this stuff to cast huge generalizations and then make a decision based on that huge generalization.

kelnos 4y ago
> I have several acquaintances from high school and college that got "arrested" for drug possession. But all that meant was they paid a fine, and at worst spent a night in jail. I was actually just watching a Last Week Tonight segment about this (well, about kids getting arrested in general, not specifically for drug crimes). Even if the reason for arrest is incredibly dumb, and charges are never filed or are dropped, the kid will still have an arrest on their record (and juvenile records often fail to get sealed upon adulthood). They'll have to answer "yes" on any college or job application that asks "have you ever been arrested", which can put them at a significant disadvantage. And we're not at the point yet where there are laws in place prohibiting questions like that. Regardless, I believe this will show up on a background check as well. > And I'll just add a bit of anecdata suggesting prison can rehabilitate people. My cousin went to prison for 2 years for being a drug dealer, and since being released he has turned his life around. That's great, and I wish your cousin well, but how common is his experience? Seems like he's one of the fairly rare good outcomes. But still, consider that prison is a pretty shitty place to be. Could your cousin have still turned his life around, but without having to experience the awfulness that is the US prison system? (Assuming this is in the US; apologies if I've misunderstood.)

by _gabe_ 4y ago

kelnos 4y ago

> I have several acquaintances from high school and college that got "arrested" for drug possession. But all that meant was they paid a fine, and at worst spent a night in jail. I was actually just watching a Last Week Tonight segment about this (well, about kids getting arrested in general, not specifically for drug crimes). Even if the reason for arrest is incredibly dumb, and charges are never filed or are dropped, the kid will still have an arrest on their record (and juvenile records often fail to get sealed upon adulthood). They'll have to answer "yes" on any college or job application that asks "have you ever been arrested", which can put them at a significant disadvantage. And we're not at the point yet where there are laws in place prohibiting questions like that. Regardless, I believe this will show up on a background check as well. > And I'll just add a bit of anecdata suggesting prison can rehabilitate people. My cousin went to prison for 2 years for being a drug dealer, and since being released he has turned his life around. That's great, and I wish your cousin well, but how common is his experience? Seems like he's one of the fairly rare good outcomes. But still, consider that prison is a pretty shitty place to be. Could your cousin have still turned his life around, but without having to experience the awfulness that is the US prison system? (Assuming this is in the US; apologies if I've misunderstood.)