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In this case, it could make sense to give internet access in lower security prison where they are unlikely to be exposed to threats and blackmail? I agree that

by song 12y ago

In this case, it could make sense to give internet access in lower security prison where they are unlikely to be exposed to threats and blackmail? I agree that psychologists, social workers and drug therapy are needed but I do think that access to internet and the information it contains is a huge help for people to better be prepared to the world as it as evolved. But you're right I'm rather naive about the conditions of prison, the little I know I know it by having read articles by Michael Santos through HN which while interesting do not provide a complete view of how prison really is. The thing is from what I've read of reconviction rates in US, France and other countries, the prison system isn't working. It's expensive and doesn't rehabilitate prisoners very well and from the percentage of the population who is convicted in the US, I'm not sure it even works well as a deterrent.

draugadrotten 12y ago
> The thing is from what I've read of reconviction rates in US, France and other countries, the prison system isn't working. It's expensive and doesn't rehabilitate prisoners very well and from the percentage of the population who is convicted in the US, I'm not sure it even works well as a deterrent. I agree completely with you here. Prisons do not rehabilitate, and they are a poor deterrent. Especially longer stints in prison tends to damage the inmate rather than improve. There's a enormous difference between what "prison" is in France, US, Sweden, Russia or Thailand. I wish the world would at least move towards the "best practice" of prisons, because there are such things. Prisons are terrible but honestly does anyone believe the world would be better without them.
- song 12y ago
  > Prisons are terrible but honestly does anyone believe the world would be better without them. I completely agree that they're a necessary evil and that there's a need for a type of prison. I think rehabilitation is really what the focus should be since this is what will bring the biggest benefits to society. There's also an argument to be made (and made by a lot of people) that there are too many people incarcerated in the US when it's not necessarily in the country's best interest for those people to go to prison (war on drug, ...). It was interesting discussing with you and if you have any good references on "best practices" I'd be interested in reading them.
- erikpukinskis 12y ago
  > honestly does anyone believe the world would be better without them. That's needlessly turning this into an either/or proposition. Prisons are a tool. In many contexts (drugs) that tool is being overused. In some (rape) it is underused.

by song 12y ago

draugadrotten 12y ago

> The thing is from what I've read of reconviction rates in US, France and other countries, the prison system isn't working. It's expensive and doesn't rehabilitate prisoners very well and from the percentage of the population who is convicted in the US, I'm not sure it even works well as a deterrent. I agree completely with you here. Prisons do not rehabilitate, and they are a poor deterrent. Especially longer stints in prison tends to damage the inmate rather than improve. There's a enormous difference between what "prison" is in France, US, Sweden, Russia or Thailand. I wish the world would at least move towards the "best practice" of prisons, because there are such things. Prisons are terrible but honestly does anyone believe the world would be better without them.

song 12y ago
> Prisons are terrible but honestly does anyone believe the world would be better without them. I completely agree that they're a necessary evil and that there's a need for a type of prison. I think rehabilitation is really what the focus should be since this is what will bring the biggest benefits to society. There's also an argument to be made (and made by a lot of people) that there are too many people incarcerated in the US when it's not necessarily in the country's best interest for those people to go to prison (war on drug, ...). It was interesting discussing with you and if you have any good references on "best practices" I'd be interested in reading them.
erikpukinskis 12y ago
> honestly does anyone believe the world would be better without them. That's needlessly turning this into an either/or proposition. Prisons are a tool. In many contexts (drugs) that tool is being overused. In some (rape) it is underused.