Well said. The American Prison System is a disgrace.I certainly agree that US prisons are deplorable, Ive never been in one, but I have watched plenty of prison documentaries, that show how prisoners live, Ive also seen some on Mexican prisons, seems to me, the prisoners have an easier life in Mexican prisons, especially women…
In a womens prison in Mexico, their children are allowed to live with the women, they accommodate them with all the necessary things needed of course, the women wear their own clothes, NOT prison jumpsuits, its more of a community than a prison, visitors can come and go within the prison unrestricted, they are allowed to interact with prisoners, in the US, many will not even allow prisoners and visitors to touch, in some cases, they can only communicate by video screens!!!
In a Mexican mens prison, on visiting day, long lines stand waiting at the gates, then they are allowed in, they can come and go unrestricted, they can go in the cells, anywhere they like, the warden said they do try to search people, but admitted its impossible to search everyone, that would simply be too impractical, but they make sure to do this in US prisons, and they make sure EVERYONE is searched!!
Im not saying searching visitors is wrong, but for everyone, no, thats ridiculous and I think its highly wrong to restrict visitors to the degree US prisons do, they are preventing contact between women and their children, husbands and wives, etc. that is cruel imo.
Ive also seen some documentaries on Eastern European prisons, again, they are allowed to wear their own clothing, they can have appliances in their cells, coffeemakers, fridges, tvs, etc, whatever someone wants. They can have someone on the outside buy groceries for them as well, Visitors here are also allowed unrestricted access to all areas in the prison when visiting, it really seems the US is the only ones who put these crazy restrictions on prisons.
I do agree though, there are certain people that do need to be locked down most of the time, there are some truly evil people, but for the majority, I think they go too far, someone convicted of drug, financial,etc type crimes do not deserve this same type of prison.
If you believe everything you see on TV, you should change your name to “Born Yesterday.”…
It is telling that even European War Criminals get more humane prison conditions than American crackheads.
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Im not referring to shows like ‘cops’ and shows like it, I know most of those are fake and scripted, Im talking about real documentaries, done at real state prisons.Last post: “I’ve never been into a prison but I’ve seen pictures on TV, and I assume everything I see on TV is accurate, so…”
That is because it is not the topic. It is not relevant to the topic. If the issue was revenge, then it would be relevant.I’d add this: Nowhere in any of these posts has anyone voiced a thought about the victims of crime, and their rights.
Then let me put your mind at ease. This is not prison, at least the normal condition of prison. Yes, bugs may get in food, just like they might in one’s own kitchen, yet kitchens still have to undergo and pass health inspection. Yes people die in prison, just like they do in the world. The current standard of care is not extraordinary, but rather health care must be comparable to that which is received by any other indigent person. In most cases, since the prisoners do not pay, they get better care than most indigent people. In today’s litigious society, believe me, no one wants a death that could be avoided by proper health care. Law suits will still cost more than good health care…By deplorable conditions, I mean the conditions in prisons are a national disgrace. Prisoners finding maggots in their food, prisoners dying in the infirmary as a result of there not being enough doctors on staff, prisoners getting raped by cellmates while the guards do nothing (and most prison guards ignore rape complaints from inmates) and while the rest of the world laughs about it. Those conditions.
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You are welcome. I guess incarceration is kind of my thing. Of course I think any *long *term isolation in prison is draconian by the very nature of one losing freedom. Every parent learns this simple truth. Time out is effect in short periods only. Make the punishment too long, and you only teach how to endure the time out.pnewton, while I still think the prison system is too draconian (especially compared to prisons in Europe {some of which house war criminals}), I am still going to take a moment to thank you for your comment.
Right there.Please quote exactly where I said prisoners did not deserve human rights.
According to the website humanrightsadvocates.org, the right to vote is a basic human right.–IMHO prisoners should not be allowed to vote. Why? Because voting and hence controlling the government, albeit indirectly, should be a privilege not afforded to those who don’t deserve it …
I noted two things in your links. The first is just a group out of Berkley that is arguing, not for human rights in general, but for voting rights in particular for prisoners. Therefore, that argument just begs the question. It is like quoting the Book of Mormon as proof of the angel Maroni. The second, the UN link contains several links to certain UN accords. While they affirm the need for universal voting rights and safe, private balloting, they do not cover imprisonment at all. The right to universal suffrage, if the context is ignored, would include infants and children. Within the context, no real definition is attempted.Right there.
According to the website humanrightsadvocates.org, the right to vote is a basic human right.
humanrightsadvocates.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/The-Right-to-Vote-A-Basic-Human-Right-In-Need-of-Protection.pdf
The UN also agrees that voting is a human right.
un.org/en/globalissues/democracy/human_rights.shtml
I couldn’t have said it better myself.I think the felons being able to vote issue is kind of overblown, I just wonder if past felons were suddenly given the right to vote, how many would actually vote, and if they did, it would definitely benefit the democratic party.
I think the larger concern should be ensuring people who are released from prison are able to start over with a clean slate, if you put up roadblocks to them getting a job, finding a place to live, etc. that is going to accomplish nothing more than guaranteeing they continue on in the criminal lifestyle.
Maybe after 10-20 years, convictions should automatically come off records, just like credit reports, I will be honest, I have a minor in possession of alcohol on my record, I was 18 at the time and was caught with beer in car with my friends at the time, I am now 41 yrs old, my last job, I had to declare this on my application, I remember about 3 people laughed about this, they could not believe something like this was still on my record. This kind of thing does not effect my ability to get a job though, but someone else, who had a more serious crime, it likely would effect them getting hired, even if it was 30+ yrs ago, and they had not done anything else.
I dont think this will change though, I dont really believe rehabilitation is the goal anymore, instead, with the laws they have, it truly seems they prefer a person to remain a criminal, thus keeping cells full all the time.
Besides reducing incarceration time and decriminalizing most drug possessions, this is one of the changes I would like to see, though some crimes need to stay available longer. Yet even if one has something on the record, people still need a job. Job placement costs less than recidivism.Maybe after 10-20 years, convictions should automatically come off records, just like credit reports, I will be honest, I have a minor in possession of alcohol on my record, I was 18 at the time and was caught with beer in car with my friends at the time, I am now 41 yrs old, my last job, I had to declare this on my application, I remember about 3 people laughed about this, they could not believe something like this was still on my record. This kind of thing does not effect my ability to get a job though, but someone else, who had a more serious crime, it likely would effect them getting hired, even if it was 30+ yrs ago, and they had not done anything else.
If you wish to speak with “due respect” it can be done without making false assumptions about someone’s knowledge. It’s eady to do.With due respect, the issue of “how long convictions stay on your record” bespeaks posters’ lack of knowledge about this subject: states have various statutes wherein convictions can be made to legally disappear after some period of years. The process is called “expungement.” If you want to argue that it ought to be more available, fine, but it exists already.
There is nothing to suggest they don’t. I have knowledge of these issues, so if I was included in your use of “anyone”, then your judgment is in error. This is why it is better to address the topic, even if we suspect something about others.There is nothing in anyone’s posts suggesting they know anything about the subject of expungements. For that matter there’s nothing in any posts suggesting anyone has any real detailed knowledge or study about prisons at all!
I’ll move on. I’ve made my points.