Posted on 06/04/2012 10:29:30 AM PDT by presidio9
I’ve read a lot about this. The author is correct. This is cruel and unusual punishment, and it can drive you quite permanently insane.
Well perhaps they had better act civilized so they don’t end up there. The whole problem with prison is that we can’t send them anywhere worse.
“There comes a time in the history of every people when they become so pathologically soft and tender that they actually side with those elements of their society that harms them; i.e. criminals!”-A Great Historian 1888
They get seperated from the rest of the population because they are violent towards other inmates and/or staff. Its unfortunate that they can’t find a way to stop offending even when locked up.
The credibility of the prisoners is questionable; they’d probably complain and moan about the same symptoms whatever the housing arrangement. Maybe they should try behaving and following the rules for once in their lives.
Hmmmm perhaps one shouldn’t behave in a manner that ends with being thrown into jail
Our whole system of justice at this point is a disaster.
As for the "for their own protection" group why don't we just have a special prison where we send all of these guys? Then they can be with their "peers".
I agree that long term solitary is probably excessive. As a short term punishment, it is probably the only effective deterrent prisons have at their disposal. At supermax prisons, which are supposedly an alternative to capital punishment, who gives a crap? In Norway, where solitary confinement has been found cruel and unusual, they are hiring “friends” to keep Anders Breivik company. That is the road you are on.
Prisons are not simply a place to warehouse criminals. They are also intended to be punishment, and therefore at least a little bit unpleasant.
The author doesn’t distinguish between the mental condition of the prisoner before and after solitary confinement.
Secondly, there are usually reasons why a prisoner is sent to solitary confinement. Violent behavior and a danger to the rest of the prison population are usually good reasons to separate a prisoner.
Finally, there HAS to be motivating punishments in prison to reduce bad behavior. Eliminate the punishments...eliminate the reasons for good behavior.
It might be moderately cruel, but it is not unusual punishment. However, solitary confinement is necessary.
Did you even read the post?
Quoting:
Over the past three decades, numerous state and federal prisons have made long-term solitary confinement a default management tool, subjecting prisoners to conditions of extreme isolation not as a response to violent behavior but rather as a routine practice for minor rule infractions, and for their own protection.
This is a horrible thing to do to another human, especially for minor infractions that do not involve violence.
Send them to Spanish Prisons. I talked to the Colonel in charge of the Puerto Santa Maria Prison during my tour in Spain. He could not recall one person whom returned for a second time.
Send them to Spanish Prisons. I talked to the Colonel in charge of the Puerto Santa Maria Prison during my tour in Spain. He could not recall one person whom returned for a second time.
I don’t believe in rehabilitating prisoners.
Prisoners are there to be punished.
The prisons should be uncomfortable.
The prisoners should be made to work and pay for their incarceration, and maybe even make a profit.
The meals should be boring, almost no variety.
The people who make dog food should make prison chow.
No soda pop, no cigarettes or beverages of any kind other than water.
There should be no TV, no Radio, no books, magazines or newspapers.
Prison should be a place that scares the crud out of someone and makes them want to never return.
We could always outsource prisons. French Guianna has Devils Island of Papillon fame. They actually improve the manners of the inmates, even having a special “silent” unit where they can contemplate and reflect (on the cockroaches).
Firing squad is neither unusual nor cruel as long as the shots find their mark.
Alternatively, I would support lethal injection over solitary confinement.
Disclaimer: My position is based on the assumptions that the worst violent offenders that have no chance of paroll are the subjects of this article. Temporary solitary confinement is reserved for bad behavior within the system (as I understand it).
I'd rather put a bullet in their head, but that also leads to some permanent issues. I think the author does have a valid point because my thoughts immediately went to, "so what?". My "give a damn-meter" pegged out empty after one of them punched a nurse in the face knocking her out and then was pumping his arms up and down like a champ. Haldol, pavulon and a ventilator made him see the error of his ways. I don't fight violent criminals in the ER. That 's why God invented depolarizing agents and ventilators.
This incident among others like these made fairly hard hearted and decide that if people like this want to defend violent criminals, let them live with you. They come anywhere near me, I'm pulling a trigger till they stop.
In reality I'm more concerned about my dog pooping in my back yard than violent criminals. We should make 4x6 individual cells, with a cot that can be folded up, two buckets (one for water the other for a toilet) and 3 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for meals. On their birthday get them a Ding-Dong and on Christmas a peppermint candy cane. Otherwise just lock them up, they made the decision to commit crimes now reap what they sow.
I think they should be made to listen to Rush Limbaugh for 3 hours a day. The rest of the time they can be made to listen to Barry Manilow records.
From a song in the 80’s: “Is it really such a crime for man to do his time?”
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