Is there a viable alternative to the current prison system?
Question by Glenn M: Is there a viable alternative to the current prison system?
I live in England. My question has two elemnts.
As far as I can figure, prison is traditionally supposed to be punitive. If you are not prepared to live by widely accepted social standards as a reasonable human being, respecting the rights of others and doing them no harm, you are removed from society as punishment.
However, from many reports in the news and from personal experience of talking to ex-convicts and repeat offenders, prison life generally seems quite cushy (although I admit I would hate it myself). TVs and computer consoles being provided, gyms, regular meals etc etc. Prisoners claiming compensation for violations of their “human rights” thanks to European legislation that is so open to abuse/misuse. Open and readily available access to drugs…which leads me to my next point.
Shouldn’t prison be a place where rehabilitation is the key component? So many convicts are repeat offenders, proving that the system doesn’t work. Shouldn’t the emphasis be on trying to help people with drink, or drug, or psychological issues, so that they are fit and free to re-enter society upon release to fully enter society as a happy and productive member of society? I don’t pretend to know how this could be accomplished, but for many people a first prison term seems only to serve to introduce them to other un-reformed criminals who can give them “tips” on how to commit crime, and introduce them to hard drugs which seem to be overlooked in many prisons in order to keep the crowded populace subdued.
In my opinion prison should be more of a training centre: like educating a child in the ways of a responsible respectable human beings. Privileges should be minimal on entry, earned and built up through good behaviour and commitment to reform. Privileges removed for unacceptable behaviour, effectively educating the inmates that good behaviour is rewarded, privileges need to be earned as the rest of normal society does through hard work and patience.
Thoughts please
Best answer:
Answer by ♨ Ix Chel △
I think your focus on prison management is back door philosophy.
Your focus should be on prevention. An ounce of prevention…
Crime is rebellion. Rebellion is disconcert. More on this…
First of all, when a wrong is observed, there are a number of options for dealing with it. Punishment is only one. Likely in the vast majority of cases, it is the unproductive – that is, the counteracting – option of action.
In Japan, police take a discussional approach to observed wrongs, and rarely arrest or punish, that is of course unless unavoidable.
This respectful and understanding approach to a violator tends to right the violator’s path, and no other problems result going forward from this person. That is the fact in the vast majority of violation cases.
On the other hand, in the US punishment is meted out with no listening to any reason, much less with any discussion. This is a fascism to the human race. Punishment builds upon builds frustrations, only increasing the probability of difficult-to-suppress further releases of rebellion going forward.
In summary, punishment is not a cure for the disconcert of a human soul. Discussion, understanding, faith, and support as a blanket (certainly at first offense) approach appropriately matches the human need for consolation and human touch. Needs for rebellion tend to diminish, and crime remains at greatly lower statistics.
Then prison management becomes a much less significant matter. Thank you.
What do you think? Answer below!