Rehabilitation or Retribution, Our criminal justice system. Options

[MissHygienic]

Which one should we focus on more in our criminal justice system? Basically, which one would serve as a satisfactory/fitting punishment for prisoners?

[NoSex]

The justice system needs tweaking, however, if the justice system worked as it should, then those who commit heinous and vile crimes should be punished accordingly. Kill 'em. f**k it.

Why? What's the point? Isn't that contrary? We spend our time telling our children not to hurt others and that two wrongs don't make a right... where's the f**king sense in that?

Further, haven't you considered the reality of America's social climate? We live in a society that is alienating, isolating, and oppressive towards the poor, the marginalized, the eccentric, and the "strange." Our society breeds crime and enforces repeat offenses. Our society is a poison and the state of our prisons is a mirror.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=xJ0B2xDzSgg&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=xJ0B2xDzSgg&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=xJ0B2xDzSgg&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=xJ0B2xDzSgg&feature=related

(There is a good f**king reason that Norway has fewer homicides, in its entire country, each year (about fifty), than the single city of Gary, Indiana.)

Sorry Charlie, I'm going to have to look the other way on this one. Americans spend too much money keeping inmates locked away for "rehabilitation" instead of "retribution." Over six billion dollars is spent "rehabilitating" criminals.

There is a much better solution to financial issues surrounding our prison system. Fifty-seven percent of our prisons are full of non-violent drug offenders and we spend (without considering upkeep, prison expenses, or judicial procedures) twelve billion dollars a year waging the "war" on drugs. Legalize drugs, end the Drug War, and you've suddenly saved thirty or so billion dollars a year, as well as reduced crime, reunited families, added to the workforce and the consumer population, and affirmed freedom.

Rehabilitation discourages repeat offenses (it's kind of hard being alive in the grave for years and years, being treated like shit and scum, and them suddenly being thrown out into society again) and could help reduce crime and free up our prisons. It also increases the mental health of our society as a whole - it allows people to regain and maintain respect, live a free life, and contribute to the world.

Look the other way all you want - that's the f**king problem with our society. We refuse to take responsibility for the ills and the poisons we create. Throw them away and put them behind walls, out of sight out of mind. What we need are people to stare the problem down and tackle it head on. f**k your cowardly shit.

They deserve a punishment suitable for their crime. Sitting in a jail cell is punishment, but not punishment enough. You have to give people a reason to fear doing crime. A slap on the wrist is not deterrant enough.

Criminals don't think they're going to get caught in the first place, jackass. It doesn't matter what the f**k you do. People don't commit crimes expecting to get caught - thus the severity of their punishment is wholly irrelevant.

Not to mention, you have to consider phenomena such as the exponentially increasing crime rate in Texas in comparison to the shrinking rates in the Midwest. Texas has the largest death row population in the United States. States in the Midwest tend to have the lowest. A bit contrary to your hypothesis, huh jackass?

[Spirited Away]

Why? What's the point? Isn't that contrary? We spend our time telling our children not to hurt others and that two wrongs don't make a right... where's the f**king sense in that?

We also teach them crime and punishment, consequences of wrongdoing. In the case of rehabilitation, there is no consequence there is no suitable punishment for the crime. How is that justice?

Suitable in the sense that punishment corresponds to the level of the crime.

That said, how do we rehabilitate someone who doesn't want to change? Further, why would tax payers be comfortable with their money benefiting serial killers and rapists...etc.

As for Norway, this isn't my argument, but it has been brought up and I am curious as to how you would refute it. Is the low crime rate in Norway attributed to its humane system or has it always been like that? Where we live has a lot to do with what crimes or the level of crimes that are committed.

Also, http://www.ssb.no/english/subjects/00/02/f...ev_en/main.html. It seems Norwegian prisons have their own problems.

[ersatz]

As for Norway, this isn't my argument, but it has been brought up and I am curious as to how you would refute it. Is the low crime rate in Norway attributed to its humane system or has it always been like that? Where we live has a lot to do with what crimes or the level of crimes that are committed.

Well, generally, those who commit the most crimes are those that are poor. Norway treats its poor citizens (not that there are many) quite well, alleviating some of the rage that those citizens may have simply about being poor. Frustration builds up if things aren't going too well financially, which turns to frustration about family because of the finances, and so on and so on, and eventually, all that pent up rage goes into crime. So, no, it's not solely because of the excellent prison system, and of course everything has its flaws, but maybe if our country took a look at some of these countries' (Norway, Iceland, Sweden) systems of government, we could take a hint and come out with better, happier citizens.

[fameONE]

Well, generally, those who commit the most crimes are those that are poor. Norway treats its poor citizens (not that there are many) quite well, alleviating some of the rage that those citizens may have simply about being poor. Frustration builds up if things aren't going too well financially, which turns to frustration about family because of the finances, and so on and so on, and eventually, all that pent up rage goes into crime. So, no, it's not solely because of the excellent prison system, and of course everything has its flaws, but maybe if our country took a look at some of these countries' (Norway, Iceland, Sweden) systems of government, we could take a hint and come out with better, happier citizens.

You have no idea. Rage is a stretch. Desperation is probably the more appropriate word.

Are you Norwegian or an American? You can't expect the government to restructure their welfare plan around a country that operates differently with the drop of a dime.

[ersatz]

You have no idea. Rage is a stretch. Desperation is probably the more appropriate word.

Are you Norwegian or an American? You can't expect the government to restructure their welfare plan around a country that operates differently with the drop of a dime.

I wish I was Norwegian. I didn't have a choice in where I lived.

I also don't believe I said that the entire system of American government should change, right now, this instant. But, it should change either way. Sitting here doing the same stuff when, obviously, by looking at the many other ways we could be solving specific problems that can be and are being observed as better, is kind of stupid.

[*Steven*]

I wish I was Norwegian. I didn't have a choice in where I lived.

I also don't believe I said that the entire system of American government should change, right now, this instant. But, it should change either way. Sitting here doing the same stuff when, obviously, by looking at the many other ways we could be solving specific problems that can be and are being observed as better, is kind of stupid.

It's so easy to say America should change like this or like that, over time, now, whenever, etc. The fact is, America =/= Norway. Norway has a way different climate, way different demographic, and way different upbringings. They're way less culturally diverse and aren't in the world's spotlight. They're not nearly as big as us and not always under criticism. They're not a super power either. There are so many systems that work in different settings for different people.