Quote:
Originally Posted by Skippy
My thoughts on criminal justice in the U.S.:
1. We could easily reduce the prison population with little or no negative side effects by legalizing marijuana and some other "soft" drugs and pardoning non-violent soft-drug offenders.
2. We could further reduce the prison population AND reduce crime rates through increased deterence by increasing the death penalty. Ten years on death row? Too long. I'm sure we can figure out how to manage a reasonable appeals process that concludes (in most cases with the prisoner's execution) in six months or less. Executions should be public and televised on national prime time tv. And lethal injection is way too good for some of the scum bags we have on death row. I'm thinking firing squad, beheading, or for the real heinous offenders, crucifixion.
3. In general we have too many laws and those laws are enforced poorly and inconsistently. We should get back to a much smaller number of laws centered around the idea that something should only be illegal if it causes harm to others, and then enforce those fewer laws vigorously.
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Excellent! I agree completely. I have thought about this issue for a while. One of the largest trade shows in the US is the Police and Prison show each year. There is a huge industry supporting the equipping of police and prison staff. Think of the money. Lets also consider the companies that construct prisons. How about the DEA. You think that any of these groups want an actual reduction in prison size? A reduction in crime? Legalization of any drug?
The "war of drugs" is a joke. I challenge anyone that they can make 3 phone calls and get their hands on an illegal drug. The amount of money spent on drug enforcement is absurd compared to the actual effect. And always they want more and more money to be spent. This is the definition of insanity. Spend an ever increasing amount on a solution that clearly isn't working.
We have huge crime problems with gangs and other groups like MS13. Legalizing and controlling drugs would remove their income streams.
Our police forces have turned from "peace officers" to "soldiers" in the war on drugs. Would we really need the jack-booted, BDU clad look if it wasn't for this "war"?
Additionally, prisons are way to comfy. We are overly concerned with how the state cares for its inmates yet a blind eye is turned to the fact that non-violent inmates are exposed to, raped and abused by the hardened criminals. Prison should be quiet uncomfortable, no AC, TV, socializing, etc. Essentially it should be solitary confinement for all inmates. No social contact means no drugs, no rape, no violence, etc. Cruel? Maybe but its supposed to suck.
RT