From: Brian D Williams (talon57@well.com)
Date: Tue Jan 30 2001 - 07:55:28 MST
From: Samantha Atkins <samantha@objectent.com>
> What's wrong with people who commit crimes serving their full
> sentence?
>1) what is considered a crime is often utterly ridiculous and
>extremely politicized;
I think we agree that there are things that are now considered
crimes that probably should not be. (pot smoking)
>2) what is considered a reasonable sentence is extremely
>politicized and subject to whim;
Action can be taken specifically against this.
>3) there is no evidence that being incarcerated for a length of
>time is a useful deterrent or actually rehabilitates. There is
>considerable evidence that the cost to society is largely
>unjustified.
Ah, deterrence rears it's ugly head. The incarceration is primarily
for punishment not deterrence, although proper punishment should
have a deterring effect. The main idea of incarceration is to place
them in a controlled, monitored enviroment where they can be
prevented from commiting any further criminal acts.
Rehabilitation should be tried where possible, not all prisoners
qualify, an idea sorely lacking in our current system.
Rehabilitation should be a voluntary process on the part of the
criminal, they should demonstrate a willingness to change and be
required to work their way back into society.
Politicians reading this have my permission to dedicate the entire
portion of my considerable tax load (did taxes last night) to
prisons.
Brian
Member:
Extropy Institute, www.extropy.org
Adler Planetarium www.adlerplanetarium.org
Life Extension Foundation, www.lef.org
National Rifle Association, www.nra.org, 1.800.672.3888
Ameritech Data Center Chicago, IL, Local 134 I.B.E.W
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