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Post by jan2225 on Nov 13, 2008 20:38:39 GMT -5
When inmates get out of jail they don't have any money and if they have no family then what are they to do if they can't find a job. All the halfway houses cost money.These people have done their time and have paid their debt to society. The states won't help they could have a program or association to help keep people off the street.
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Post by eileen on Nov 13, 2008 21:38:30 GMT -5
The prison system is totally messed up in this country. We have more citizens per capita in our prisons than any other modern country. We warehouse them and if and when they get out too many of them have come out so much worse than when they went in. Then we throw them to the streets. Gee, thats smart. Generally speaking we have a lot of problems to solve in our country. Get to volunteering folks, for whatever touches your heart, it makes a difference.
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Post by havingfunnow on Nov 14, 2008 0:57:21 GMT -5
This reminds me of the thread about the shortcomings of California prison healthcare. I worry more about families without any healthcare, than prisoners who have free healthcare. Which is more substandard; some or none I say none is much worse. Part of the society in which we live is the freedom of choice. There are those who have chosen poorly, and have to pay a debt when and if they are caught. Once that debt is paid, yes they are not treated as nothing has happened. Why should they be? One can commit murder, abuse children, steal, rob and be released out on parole. And they should be treated just like someone who has done nothing at all I do not agree. They should have a chance to reform, and there are programs out there for that. Many of them do not want to try or live under the guidelines of rehabilitation programs. Also, as Eileen pointed out, many of them become gang members in prison and learn new ways of scamming/scheming etc... What about those who have no chance in ever seeing the light of day as a free person again? Many of them are violent, have nothing to lose, and are a danger to everyone around them. I say Texas has the right idea - express checkout. All in all, it is very hard for me to feel sorry for someone who is suffering as a result of their criminal choices. How's that for a hot topic Eileen?
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Post by weebitty on Nov 14, 2008 14:26:02 GMT -5
I have to agree with you havingfunnow. They make their own choices just like we do. I resent the fact that we have to support them even in prision!!! They get better health care, education, etc then the free person does. Why do they get gyms to excercise in and buff up color television, and so on. that isn't a prision to me. Yes the prision system is messed up and it is for the imprisioned!!!! Do I feel sorry for the choices they made not really. I understand there are extenuating circumstances but for the most part they make their own choices. and those are the ones I am talking about
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Post by jan2225 on Jan 1, 2009 21:20:26 GMT -5
Havingfunnow and weebitty I live in TN and in our jails and prisions have more mental challanged people. These people need psychological help. What about the cases where the person really didn't do the crime and the person that placed the warrant on the inocennt person tries to drop the charge and the state picks it up. The innocent person has their live and record messed up and can wind up homeless. This is the type of person I am speaking of.
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Post by havingfunnow on Jan 2, 2009 1:22:03 GMT -5
I live in Tennessee - at least the last time I checked - just checked again with the Spousal Unit, and she told me "Yes, this is Tennessee". I don't agree that the majority of people in prison here are mentally challenged, although one could always make an argument that anyone who can not live in society is mentally challenged. I have found a REALLY good treatise on Ronald Reagan and the Commitment of the Mentally Ill. You can read it by clicking Here. At the risk of hearing Eileen break her Christmas silence, I will say that there definitely need to be a change ... in how the Mentally Ill are treated. The treatise does state that the policy adopted was the result of the conservative views that people on welfare had it made, and there were many abuses. However, the mentally ill were left out in the cold and nothing has been done for over 20 years. Many have died, but that gets ignored by mainstream media. That being said... The original post said " When inmates get out of jail...", not when someone mentally challenged gets out of jail... So I stand by what I posted earlier. Yes there are innocent people, but what about the 'innocent' ones that have had someone coerce the person pressing the charges to drop them? It goes both ways. No system is perfect; I would rather have most of the guilty with a few innocent in prison, as opposed to having no one in prison, because a few are innocent.
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Post by kevvness on Dec 6, 2009 5:52:13 GMT -5
First off... Until you have been to prison...You have no idea what really goes on behind those walls. I have been in the California penal system and I know what it's like to be warehoused. To the guy who stated..."I would rather have most of the guilty with a few innocent in prison, as opposed to having no one in prison, because a few are innocent. " That sir...would include YOU! No one is perfect...and therefore no one is truly innocent. So I must ask you sir..."because a few are innocent"...of what? What constitutes being treated sub-human? Whatever the law says of course! They can't send you to prison for mental abuse but they can certainly send you to prison for physical abuse, now can't they. How does that old psyche cliche go? "Mental abuse is far more damaging than physical."...or something to that effect? To me...a lack of common courtesy is a huge crime! What about the proverbial "golden rule"...You know..."Do unto others..." etc... It's a dang shame what some people will do to other people. Hell...in Italy they have what's called a "good samaritan" law. If you see someone in trouble on the side of the road and you're the first person to pass by without offering to help...and a cop sees you do that...you will be cited and there is a fine involved. I think that is one of the best laws I've ever heard of. I could go on and on about this blog but it all boils down to this... Unless you've been there...You can only speculate as to who, why, when, where, how and what is right and wrong about the prison system in this country. Trust me when I say...It has it's good and bad but recidivism is a setup for failure right from the gate. Somebody needs to put limit as to how much revenue any one city, state, or county can accumulate from the incarceration of non-violent criminals. It's a billion dollar industry now folks. Wake up and pull your fingers outta your butts! They make the laws to run with the fads in society. Whatever keeps the people breaking the laws to continue making the buck! DUH!
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Post by havingfunnow on Dec 6, 2009 16:13:02 GMT -5
Wow, what a blast from the past... I had forgotten all about this post. I'm glad that there are people who are reading these topics and giving their say. Kevvness - Welcome to the Board! This is the area where we can talk about 'Hot Topics', and yes, it gets some people riled up. Everyone has a right to their own beliefs, and I spent time in the Service to defend those rights. As a part of my duties, there were times I had to go into Federal prisons escorting ex-soldiers, who were going to reside there for awhile. I can honestly say that they were not places I would choose to stay. However; you mentioned being treated sub-humanly, and that happens to minorities (race, religion, sexual preference) everyday. As far as the incarceration of non-violent criminals go... Are you suggesting that if a crime is non-violent in nature, then the perpetrator(s) is/are supposed to be allowed to remain free with a slap on the wrist. An example is Maddox, whose actions have created devastation in others lives and some have committed suicide: of which Maddox remains uncharged, which I believe he should be. Just because a crime is non-violent is no excuse for committing it. Louis P.S. My fingers, nor my thumb is stuck in any part of my body. You are allowed to express your opinion and beliefs, but please refrain from flaming (disparaging) members of the board.
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