Pope's address to inmates

[on_the_hill]

I happened to be in the car yesterday morning and was able to hear, on XM Catholic Channel, the Pope’s address to the inmates. It was extraordinary.

It also made me wonder how many of our political leaders make visits to the imprisoned. My guess is: none. Unfortunately, it’s politically dangerous to show compassion to convicts because as soon as one were to do that the opposition would shower him or her with “soft on crime” accusations.

 

[Songcatcher]

It also made me wonder how many of our political leaders make visits to the imprisoned. My guess is: none. Unfortunately, it’s politically dangerous to show compassion to convicts because as soon as one were to do that the opposition would shower him or her with “soft on crime” accusations.

President Obama went to a Federal prison in Oklahoma this past July. He was the first sitting President to ever do this. He met with a group of non-violent drug offenders. A documentary about this visit will be shown on HBO soon.

I missed the Pope’s speech to the prisoners. I’m sure it was wonderful. I’ll go look for a transcript.

 

[HungerNThirst4R]

I thought it was amazing, and not unlike him as he has visited many prisons. God bless Pope Francis.

 

[on_the_hill]

President Obama went to a Federal prison in Oklahoma this past July. He was the first sitting President to ever do this.

You’re right, I forgot about this one.

 

[Paganus]

President Obama went to a Federal prison in Oklahoma this past July. He was the first sitting President to ever do this.

It’s terrible to contemplate how few Presidents go to Federal prison.

 

[on_the_hill]

It’s terrible to contemplate how few Presidents go to Federal prison.

Well, you have to admit that very few of them have been held for trial.

 

[BornInMarch]

There is a big problem in society in which prisoners are treated as less-than-human.

It is very common for movies and television shows to make jokes about prison rape, be the audience usually reacts along the lines of “ha ha, rape is funny when it happens to people I don’t like!”. -

Prisoners live in miserable conditions, with guards who look the other way to rape, health care that borders on inhumane (a lot of prisoners just die because their prison can’t/won’t treat their health problems), and high recidivism.-

Before you say “They’re prisoners, thy deserve it!”, bare in mind that they still have inalienable rights to life, liberty (even prisoners should be allowed to petition and protest and have free speech), health, and security. Inalienable: that means it can not be taken away NO MATTER WHAT. No matter how bad someone’s crime is, their rights are still inalienable. -

But because prisoners can not vote, they had no recourse when a politician decides to triple the mandatory minimum for a low level drug charge. No way to demand laws that prevent them from being discriminated against in the job market or in other places. No motive for politicians to care about prisoners. Prisoners who get released from prison pay taxes, are allowed to own property, and can do most other things society demands. Therefore, they should be allowed to vote.-

The Pope is right: prisoners are humans too.

 

[mikekle]

There is a big problem in society in which prisoners are treated as less-than-human.

It is very common for movies and television shows to make jokes about prison rape, be the audience usually reacts along the lines of “ha ha, rape is funny when it happens to people I don’t like!”. -

Prisoners live in miserable conditions, with guards who look the other way to rape, health care that borders on inhumane (a lot of prisoners just die because their prison can’t/won’t treat their health problems), and high recidivism.-

Before you say “They’re prisoners, thy deserve it!”, bare in mind that they still have inalienable rights to life, liberty (even prisoners should be allowed to petition and protest and have free speech), health, and security. Inalienable: that means it can not be taken away NO MATTER WHAT. No matter how bad someone’s crime is, their rights are still inalienable. -

But because prisoners can not vote, they had no recourse when a politician decides to triple the mandatory minimum for a low level drug charge. No way to demand laws that prevent them from being discriminated against in the job market or in other places. No motive for politicians to care about prisoners. Prisoners who get released from prison pay taxes, are allowed to own property, and can do most other things society demands. Therefore, they should be allowed to vote.-

The Pope is right: prisoners are humans too.

Even when people convicted of drug crimes are released, they still face a tough life, its almost impossible to get a decent job since background checks are required almost everywhere now, not to mention ANY drug related conviction means they can receive NO help in attending secondary school, job training, etc…I think that is very important, its clear to me they are ensuring that person remains a criminal.

When in reality, convicts should be the first ones in line to received education/ job training, so they do not have to resort to crime.

I believe FOR PROFIT prisons and drug laws are really to blame, drug laws ensure enough people will commit these crimes, thus ensuring as many cells stay occupied…at the same time, we have US military troops standing guard and protecting Afghan poppie fields and heroin production facilities…Yeah, this is a DEEP DEEP rabbit hole.