Prison!

[Controller]

Well, if that doesn't get your attention, I don't know what will...

Okay, so I'm doing a paper on prison systems, rather, how they might be improved. I live in the US, so I'm just curious as to the similarities and differences between our prisons, and I know this is an international board, with quite a few people from Canada, Japan, and Europe, so I thought this might be a good place to start. Thoughts?

[The Million Dollar Prons]

The prison systems are great in America.

We try not to get in trouble because we don't wanna get butt raped. That's a fact, too.

[Fobb]

^Actually, that is a fact, but put in the most blunt words.

American jails focus more on punishment and examples, than on actually reforming convicts.

[Controller]

No kidding. How do other countries do it? Which ones work on reforming prisoners?

[Fobb]

No kidding. How do other countries do it? Which ones work on reforming prisoners?
I wouldn't know. I haven't been to many other countries.

[Neo0tak0n]

Prisons are in place to give people the idea that laws are working and that criminals are somehow different than the ordinary person.

[Animematt55]

Our prisons need more beatings with sticks.

[animeotaku99]

^Actually, that is a fact, but put in the most blunt words.

American jails focus more on punishment and examples, than on actually reforming convicts.
ACtually there is a lot of empasis on rehabilition. Thats why most criminals get perole and probation. They try and get people on perole before the person gets use to the "prison life"

[Fobb]

ACtually there is a lot of empasis on rehabilition. Thats why most criminals get perole and probation. They try and get people on perole before the person gets use to the "prison life"
Sure, that's a factor, but doesn't necessarily point to what you're saying. They HAVE to have some form of rehabilitation, otherwise, it would just be a slavecamp (and I'll leave that for another time). Most convicts are thrown in, and don't get the chance to go through rehabilitation.

[Alice Catherine]

...this reminds me of a very serious question my friends and I asked after having a whole long lecture on how tresspassing on school/other private area grounds could land us in jail.
Does jail have cable?

[superplough]

^LMAO

Prisons in New Zealand are pretty crap, you usually get let out after 3 years even on a life sentance

[CrossboneGundam]

ACtually there is a lot of empasis on rehabilition. Thats why most criminals get perole and probation. They try and get people on perole before the person gets use to the "prison life"

Most inmates and former inmates disagree.

And California's "three strikes" law also does.

And so does the well-known statistic that the US has the highest prison population of the entire first/industrialized world.

[Rain]

Canada abolished the death penalty in 1976.

P.S. I support capital punishment.

[Sendo Takeshi]

Does jail have cable?


As far as I know, federal prison has cable. Don't know about state prisons.

[animeotaku99]

For Cable, it varies from prison to prison.
There is a prison in ARizona where the wardon is pretty tough. THe inmates sleep in military tents, get the minium requiremnt of caloires and break rocks into little rocks then move them for their exercise. THey also where pink shorts. THe ORange jumpsuit is now a status syblom among gangs and criminals. But if you are in this prison you did something really bad.
People get plenty chances to get rehabilitated or reformed. Although not al criminals ccan or want to be changed. I think oyr prison system is prety good, they try to find ways to stop people from turning to a life of crime when the are still young, THere is probatin and Parole, House arrest, THere a are pysch prisons also

[Holy Knight]

Prisons are by now an outdated and barbaric method of dealing with criminals, but are so ingrained in our minds that no alternatives are offered. If they truly wish to change the ways of criminals, then brainwash them. I don't mean in the sense that make them see how we want a peaceful life and that killing is wrong, etc. I mean modify their physical and mental selves in such a way as they do not offend a second time.

It may seem radical, but it's still the same thing as seeing a psychiatrist. You're not seeing one to become "normal", you're seeing one to become a conformist. The only difference between brainwashing and a psychiatric evaluation is the percieved morality. "We aren't affecting them physically or manipulating them, but we are letting them choose", they say. I say: "they aren't given a choice. Either they conform or we lock them up."

I personaly despise being manipulated, so this is a strong topic for me. Whenever I hear "conforming", "integration", "seeing the light", or other such things, it summons my ire.

And considering that the feeling of being manipulated is something that I'm sure many people feel, why then do we allow prisons to exist? Logically, if we hate the idea of it, then we should get rid of it. However, I do not know of any alternative to the current system and I'm not sure we're ready to see one any time soon. So sadly, this system will perpetuate indefinitely.

Lastly, Canada has one of the more "cozy" types of prisons (don't quote me on this, though. I have no idea in what state our prisons are). Wikipedia or google are probably the ressources you have. Or even better, visit your local penitentiary and ask around for information, if you're up to the experience.

[animeotaku99]

So what should he do with someone that kills an entire family. OR someone that robs abank and runs from th epolice in a high speed chase? OR a rapist?

[xxdreamergirlxx]

Well, if that doesn't get your attention, I don't know what will...

Okay, so I'm doing a paper on prison systems, rather, how they might be improved. I live in the US, so I'm just curious as to the similarities and differences between our prisons, and I know this is an international board, with quite a few people from Canada, Japan, and Europe, so I thought this might be a good place to start. Thoughts?
I'm no expert on prisons, but I do know our nation (The U.S.) makes a HUGE deal about drug rehabs in federal prisons. (Ie- they have teams of psychologists and spend a lot of $$) It might be an interesting thing to look at how other countries deal with people with drug problems that are in prison, especially comparing it to Europe or Japan, and judging the effectiveness of all the money spend on drug treatments in prisons.

I'm not sure if you were heading that way with your paper or not though.

[Alice Catherine]

As far as I know, federal prison has cable. Don't know about state prisons.
Oh wow.
I didn't think FEDERAL would have them.
I thought that maybe just state prisons did.

[Animematt55]

I hear a lot of homeless or poor people often commit crimes once the winter months start rolling around (in the colder areas that is). It is a free room, and food.

[animeotaku99]

I'm no expert on prisons, but I do know our nation (The U.S.) makes a HUGE deal about drug rehabs in federal prisons. (Ie- they have teams of psychologists and spend a lot of $$) It might be an interesting thing to look at how other countries deal with people with drug problems that are in prison, especially comparing it to Europe or Japan, and judging the effectiveness of all the money spend on drug treatments in prisons.

I'm not sure if you were heading that way with your paper or not though.
OTher countries don't have as bad as a drug problem as the US. Parts of Europe maybe but America is a sea of drug use compared to others.

[xxdreamergirlxx]

OTher countries don't have as bad as a drug problem as the US. Parts of Europe maybe but America is a sea of drug use compared to others.
There's also the fact that parts of Europe don't even consider it a problem like the U.S. would.

The ones that do might have a different view of addiction or treatment that makes it less prevalent. That's what I'm suggesting to be looked at. Is it simply a cultural isssue, or are there different ways in which they deal with it? I'd say it's quite possibly both, but I haven't done all the research.

The paper is about how to improve prison systems, and I thought it could be a possible subtopic. (I'm not sure if the writer wants to improve the U.S. prisons, foreign prisons, or both.)

[animeotaku99]

well we cant let meth addicted and people that are stoned walk around the streets selling drugs to everyone. Even Marijiuana can make people crazy. I've seen a girl sart screaming and climb on top of a patrol car. And People do violant things to get a fix. SO people NEED to look at it as problem.

[Holy Knight]

So what should he do with someone that kills an entire family. OR someone that robs abank and runs from th epolice in a high speed chase? OR a rapist?

Exactly! The only solution is either:

1) Lock them away

2) Kill them

3) Brainwash them

None of which are considered humane. There is no solution to the system, nor can you improve it. If you make the places more accommodating, you're spending unnecessary money and pampering criminals. If you make them harsher places to live in, you go against human rights.

The best thing to happen would be to not have criminals in the first place. But then, we'd start questioning our own ability to evolute as a species, as we would then cut off a natural part of being human.

So, OP, your question is a hard one if it is to be taken seriously. However, since it's a school assignment, make it seem as if you really mean whatever it is you propose, make it sound sane and responsible with a dash of personal opinion added in and you're fine.

[Bernard_Monsha]

Most inmates and former inmates disagree.

And California's "three strikes" law also does.

And so does the well-known statistic that the US has the highest prison population of the entire first/industrialized world.


We are also the largest populated country in the entire first world and we have thousands of diffrent justice systems all with diffrent penalties Local, State and Federal. I do not think it is at all surpriseing.

[{NG}Fidel]

True, I mean I feel some prisons may not rehabilitate well and thats a large assumption based on the fact that we are all human so everyone does it diffrently. But in general I do not think our prison system is some horrible place. And while we do need to work on getting people well off enough to live in the real world they still did commit a crime so lets not act like they are angels.
(which no one has thank you)

[Jae Hoon]

Ahh yes prison, the only place where you can get a college education for free then sue your way out of prison.

[Haro!]

My feeling has always been that it could be worse.

[sailornyanko]

And so does the well-known statistic that the US has the highest prison population of the entire first/industrialized world.

Actually you're quite right. I berlieve France is the industrialized country with most prison overpopulation (though they try to deny it). The things you learn reading the police section of the Sunday newspaper.

--

Um.. dunno what would anyone want to know about the mexican prison system. Um.. Oh yeah, the State of Mexico just a few days ago finally began having oral trials like in the US with the judge in the pretty room with wood and such just that everything is now digitalized with cameras. Pretty spiffy really and it cuts down trial time for simple non violent crimes from 6 months to just a few hours. The problem is that the laws aren't fully buffed up and it's a limbo of the two trial systems.

It was local shame that the first oral trial that took place in Tlalnepantla lasted 5 hours and was virtually about to reach a veredict until the defendant requested something called an amparo at the last minute to delay the trial for at least 2 weeks so that everyone can revise the testimonies (now on tape so it's easy to access) and basically waste money and time. Obvioualy the laws will have to be changed. Maybe amparos will still exist but you can't request one to be enacted in the very last minute, there will probably be a time in the trial where you can't use one. Dunno, I'm not studying law like my uncle is.

There's apparently a lot of raping in mexican prisons. Lesbian inmates are called las Tortilleras. if you've heard the Gober precioso tape scandal you've probably heard this word in it.
Nuevo Leon has the lowest inmate population in the country whereas Mexico City has a tenfold excess population. Mexico City has several regular prisons divided by region of the city: Oriente (East), Poniente (West), Norte (North) and I believe there's a Sur (South) one too.
There's apparently in these prisons courses to take highschool and even university careers. However there's quite a low inmate population that enters such programs even though most inmates have only basic level education. The newspaper said it's because there's a lot of corruption and favoritism to qualify.

Funny, if you're a famous serial killer with a pretty boy face or a powerful politician, you get "special" 5 star service in prison here. René Bejarano can talk all day about his special cell where he had fancy food, TV with VCR and he could actually leave prison :lol: on random days to "be with his family". Ah, corruption, gotta love it!

There used to be a federal prison called Almoloya where the top dangerous criminals lived in, but they changed it's name to La Palma. Don't know why.

Oh, and there's a famous tropical low security prison in an island called Tres Marías (mainly because the sea surrounding it is infested with sharks). It's for non violent crimes (theft and such). Family members of inmates can actually move in and live with the criminal if wanted.

[Mooserocka]

Seriously oyus dont even know. STOP talkin about prisons until u know. I was in federal prison for 3 months. I actauly had fun. Food isnt all that bad. Ure days consist of sittin on the block. Hour of exercise. Cards, board games,etc. Then u also have tv time and movie time at the end of the week on the weekends. So u watch what the guard wants to watch.

[Chicito]

Do you know what they make you do in the county? Toss the salad.
- Jay Jay and Silent bob Strike back

[HELLFISH88]

The Exacution system needs to be revamped. it takes to long to get someone exacuted, like 20 years.

[Solid_Snake]

Our prisons need more beatings with sticks.
I agree. More exacutions(sp... Errr?) too.

[animeotaku99]

The Exacution system needs to be revamped. it takes to long to get someone exacuted, like 20 years.
ITR is suppose to be that way. It has to do with the MULTIPLE applies that automatically happen when the death penalty is used. A jury here in ND just sentance a man to death (on teh Federal Level, we dont hav eit on the State level here) to death. The thing is he is rather old and will probably die or get killed in prison before his time is finished. ANd the Trial wasnt exactly fair. IT was the Alfonso Rodriguez

[Gannon]

American prisons are a business.

[animeotaku99]

American prisons are a business.
NPO they aren't. ALthough there area a number of private prisons starting, or at least it is an option being explored

[CrossboneGundam]

The Exacution system needs to be revamped. it takes to long to get someone exacuted, like 20 years.

Something like 800 people on death row have been exonerated by DNA testing in the last 15 years.

I take it you're a fan of killing innocent people.

[Sendo Takeshi]

American prisons are a business.



QFT

Hence why federal prisons have cable T.V.