Prison Planet - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

SwampYankee · #16 01-05-2008, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carleton Hughes

Touche'.....I expected that rejoinder,how true.

I am Captain Obvious!

aklim · #17 01-05-2008, 12:10 PM

Maybe the problem is that prison is such a nice comfy alternative. So, you wanna talk of Russia and China? Fair enough. Lets talk of those 2. Unless the person is a masochist, I will bet that a Chinese or Russian prisoner, if given the choice and they have experienced both prison systems will opt for the US prison. Say you put take a Chinese or Russian prisoner and put him in a US prison for a couple of months and then ask him where he/she would rather serve out their sentence, what do you think they will say?

Ever thought that maybe the prison is NOT much of a deterrent? That might explain why it is so meaningless, relatively, for them to commit a crime. In fact, some have even been known to purposely commit a crime to get in prison during the cold months.

LaRondo · #18 01-05-2008, 12:24 PM

Now that really tops it all.

So, it's a matter of prisons' high popularity, that keeps the numbers of inmates up???
Wow, that's some whacko stuff.

But it was to be expected that way, prisons in the US are so full because they are such a great place to be.

There is one major thing, terribly wrong with many people here. They truly think, they can absolutely not be wrong. So, the finger pointing continues.

The ongoing finger-pointing at how bad others are is also a significant character pattern. Highly popular around here.

The 2.2 Mil figure are supposedly permanent inmates. The total # of individuals jailed in 2007 is at a stunning 7 Mil. That includes any arrests/next day release situations.

Maybe Americans have enjoyed too much Freedom during the past 2 centuries and were mostly incapable of utilizing those Freedoms in a benevolent manner?

How's that for a theory?

Gurkha · #19 01-05-2008, 12:44 PM

No amount of lure of alleged better life can lead a person to purposefully get oneself incarcerated. Granted prison life in US is cushier than other places but the act of committing crime is deterred by incarceration in any way. If that was the case, we would see way less criminals in Russia but even with a overloaded and very dangerous and rough prison system, Russian crime is at an all time high, far more than the soviet era.

aklim · #20 01-05-2008, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaRondo

So, it's a matter of prisons' high popularity, that keeps the numbers of inmates up???
Wow, that's some whacko stuff.

But it was to be expected that way, prisons in the US are so full because they are such a great place to be.

Well, if the penalty for speeding is $50 and no points, think more or less people will care about speeding? If prison was a certainty for say 20 over, you bet I will be scared enough to bring it down to a mile or two below the limit just to be sure.

Well, if the penalty is not really unpleasant, relatively speaking, and the rewards are pretty decent, one might roll the dice. If I can steal $1000 and the penalty IF I get caught is $50, it might be not enough of a negative incentive to make me honest. However, if I stole $1000 and ended up in a 4 season chain gang, you bet it would make me think real hard if I am wanting to risk it.

aklim · #21 01-05-2008, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gurkha

No amount of lure of alleged better life can lead a person to purposefully get oneself incarcerated. Granted prison life in US is cushier than other places but the act of committing crime is deterred by incarceration in any way.

Russian crime is at an all time high, far more than the soviet era.

I knew people in SD who wanted to get incarcerated during the winter months.

Why do you think that is so? Maybe their justice system is in a mess and punishment is neither certain nor swift? If you get 1 out of the 10 criminals, the odds favor the criminal that he won't get caught. Even if you do, could you mitigate it with a few dollars in the right direction. Think about this. If I murder you and the odds of me getting busted are 1 in a million, I might be temped to kill you because you looked at me funny. However, if the odds are 1 in 5, lets say, well, now I have to ask myself if it is worth getting sent to the Gulag for killing you over a small matter.

Gurkha · #22 01-05-2008, 01:02 PM

I see your point but the fact remains, even Gulag has not deterred crime in Russia. What it has done is made the criminals more determined not to get arrested and this leads to frequent and deadly encounter with the police which usually results in death for the criminals. Russian prisons are full and many die in those prisons due to atrocious conditions, same goes for prison in India. Only the well connected survive and the rest die and yet in both countries, crime goes on as usual.

Hatterasguy · #23 01-05-2008, 03:58 PM

If I were in charge I'd clear the prisions right out.

I'd take a page right out of the Chinese handbook: One bullit in the head, charge the cost of the bullit back to the next of kin.

Oh wait maybe thats why there prision population is lower!

aklim · #24 01-05-2008, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

If I were in charge I'd clear the prisions right out.

I'd take a page right out of the Chinese handbook: One bullit in the head, charge the cost of the bullit back to the next of kin.

Oh wait maybe thats why there prision population is lower!

The wife was studying nursing and came up with an interesting titbit. The Chinese KNOW what they will be getting as far as organ donations go. For instance, if they need a heart, the bullet will go somewhere else besides the heart.

Recycling at it's best. Your corpse becomes a ward of the state and it does as it pleases. No waste.

MTUpower · #25 01-05-2008, 04:14 PM

The "melting pot" means we have dozens of ideas of what is ok and right and legal. It also means we disagree alot and generally don't have the same idea of what is acceptable. Nations that have similar peoples tend be populated by those that agree on a greater level.

Skippy · #26 01-05-2008, 07:47 PM

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.

rwthomas1 · #27 01-05-2008, 09:31 PM

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.

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

300EVIL · #28 01-05-2008, 10:14 PM

"And that's all I have to say about that..."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWfIhFhelm8&feature=related

tankdriver · #29 01-05-2008, 11:18 PM

Threat of prison time clearly isn't a major factor in curtailing criminal activity in America.

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.

This is a big problem. Get caught buying 3 times and you're in prison for life. I'd much rather see rapists and pedophiles get longer sentences than a non-violent penny ante mary jane possessor.

Quote:

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.

We part ways here. I don't think the death penalty is all that effective a deterrent. As for cruel and unusual punishment as entertainment, I'd prefer to leave that in Ancient Rome.

A264172 · #30 01-06-2008, 12:07 AM

I've heard that a healthy organ export trade can keep prison populations in check.