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>at least with the inhumane conditions in American prisons Should we, as people who are not currently in prison, not try to make prison living conditions bette
by 3825 14y ago
>at least with the inhumane conditions in American prisons
Should we, as people who are not currently in prison, not try to make prison living conditions better instead? Some things that come to mind are:
1. Nobody should gain monetarily from someone being sentenced to prison.
2. Nobody should gain monetarily from someone being sentenced to prison for a longer time.
3. We should ensure full physical security for prisoners. I am willing to entertain the idea of making common lunch / shower areas optional. A prisoner ought to have the option to not be in physical proximity of other prisoners if necessary.
4. There should be a way to report bad behavior / torture by other prisoners or by guards.
I think the question to ask here is not whether death is better than prison... What can we do to make our prisons better?
- rolux 14y ago> Nobody should gain monetarily from someone being sentenced to prison. I agree with your sentiment, but... are you aware of the fact that a large part of the US prison system is run by private corporations that have clear profit motives, and even seek contractually guaranteed occupancy levels? Edit, link: http://annarbor.com/news/opinion/passing-house-bill-will-worsen-already-pressing-civil-rights-issue/ http://annarbor.com/news/opinion/passing-house-bill-will-wor... Money quote: "In 2012, [the Corrections Corporations of America] sent a letter to 'prison officials in 48 states offering to buy prisons from these states in exchange for a 20-year management contract and a guaranteed occupancy rate of 90%.'"
- 3825 14y agoYes, that was what I was getting at. While we are at it, traffic tickets as a revenue source or actually any fine as a revenue source is potentially bad.
- gavinlynch 14y agoThis i can agree with. Not that it's particularly clever, but I've been referring to most of these issues as Cowards Taxes. Because the politicians who need to cover budget potholes are too cowardly to ask the people to increase taxes to cover expenses, and instead use this absurd backdoor tactic under the guise of "safety". Things like red light cameras adhere to the letter but not the spirit of the law, it's unjust and we all know it. Man up. Raise taxes, or cut expenses. You can't have it both ways.