criminals, should they be punished or should we try and reform them.
By jer31558
@jer31558 (3683)
United States
June 2, 2008 8:58pm CST
I am especially interested in hearing from those in other countries. Not only as to how you feel, but how these things are in your country, are punishments too harsh or too lenient for those that commit crimes. I personally feel that there are places for both, reform and punishment. I feel that reform is more probable in the case of first time offenders. I recall back when we had the chain gangs here. If I recall, I remember that people were much more hesitant about committing crimes, they knew right where they would end up. I am not talking about lining people and beating them with whips, though I am told that in countries that do that, it is pretty effective. Here, it seems that we have two punishments: If they do something bad enough, though I am not sure what bad enough is, they they may be put to death. And the others is to lock them up, feed them three meals a day, in some cases train them for jobs, give them further education at times, take care of their medical needs, and well you get the picture. I personally would like to see a little less "welcome to the holiday inn", and a little more "I'll do what it takes to not come back here".
Why not let them help with the cleanup after a natural disaster. Sure, we may have to hire more guards, but we would have a lot more man power to assist as well. Let them serve their time making the world a better place to live, for everyone. I know that many will disagree with me, so I invite you to tell me a better way. The way things are now here doesn't seem to be working as when criminals get out many go right back to that same life. So I throw the doors open, bless me out, tell me how crazy I am, or pat me on the back, but don't forget to tell how you feel, don't just tell me I am wrong if you feel that way, but tell why you're right. Thanks to all who respond for each opinion.
12 people like this
21 responses
@Destiny007 (5805)
• United States
3 Jun 08
Our prisons are little more than crime academies for making hardened criminals out of first time offenders.
There are some things that should not be a prison sentence for, with community service and enforced retribution being the better alternatives.
There was a time when it was a very shameful thing to be known as a jailbird, and to have been in prison was even worse still.
The shame of public knowledge and the general nonacceptance of ex cons was sufficient to keep most people from committing crimes.
That stigma is no longer there, and in fact it is generally accepted in todays society, especially with so many getting into trouble with the law these days.
I do not believe in lengthy sentences or life sentences, if a person is so dangerous to society that they have to be locked away for life, then I am in favor of execution.
There is no point in criminals draining society so that they can lay around watching tv and doing whatever make work job the state offers just to keep them occupied.
There are some that can work road crews due to their security level, but there are many more who are far too much of and escape risk to let out for this.
Corrections Officers are not easy to come by... it tales a special individual to take on a job like that, and even then there are bad apples. You want good professional people, and they don't come cheap.
As with everything else, you get what you pay for.
There are also state budgets to consider, and when it comes to those, then Corrections is pretty far down the list when it comes to funding.
There are o easy answers to a very serious problem, and it is only going to get worse with recent numbers showing about one out of every hundred or so tanging with the prison system at some point.
3 people like this
@Destiny007 (5805)
• United States
5 Jun 08
Depending on the seriousness of the crime of course... first offenders should get probation, and in fact a lot of them do.
They wind up in prison because they have re-offended and broke the terms of their probation.
I was a Missouri Corrections Officer for 17 years.
When I became disabled, we were underfunded, understaffed and overcrowded, and had over 17 facilities in the state.... with no signs of things getting better anytime soon.
I don't know the answers, I don't know if there ARE any answers... All I know is that for some reason our society is self destructing, and prisons are filling faster than we can build them.
2 people like this
@jer31558 (3683)
• United States
9 Jun 08
There is a prison near here that is always needing guards, any you're right, there may not be any answers. As you say our prisons are full. So even though there are no definite answers, I feel that we should try some thing different. It may not solve the problem, but it may help it.
@buzzman (171)
• United States
3 Jun 08
Hi jer, You are rite we should bring back the chain gangs. The ones that have been sent to prison now. Do have their medical FREE they do get thier Education FREE their dental FREE their meals FREE their laundry done FREE. How can we get these people ready to re enter a comuinty if everything is given to them. Make them work and pay for their medical, dental, for their board. I agree with you 100%
It's good to know that there is other people in the world that think like I do.
"Thank you jer for posting this."
3 people like this
@raijin (10345)
• Philippines
3 Jun 08
I think we do have the same thoughts about this matter, because I don't really think that they deserve worse things than being held behind a cell.
Everyone deserves chances, taking their lives by capitol punishment is already too much. Giving them a a life sentence is enough already, because we already forsaken them the right to live and the chance to change. There are many ways to deal with them, it's just that the society dictates too much that they even wish for the worse things to happen for these convicts.
I guess nobody would also want to spend a night here in one of our jail cells, I think no one would even dare to be here for even a few minutes. The cells are congested, dirty and crowded.
@cobrateacher (8432)
• United States
12 Jun 08
In Florida, where we live, they don't seem to understand that the sentence is to be kept from society Instead, inmates are regularly tortured and even killed. There used to be classes they could take and programs in which they could participate. Now that's a thing of the past. The meaningful jobs they used to ave have been replaced by nothing but cleaning toilets or floors. If someone enters the system fairly decent, they hasve years to learn nothing but hatred and resentment. As in most of the south, there's a great deal of prejudice, but it's not as expected. Since most of the officers are black, the black inmates get special treatment, while whites, hispanics and anyone else is treated like trash.
1 person likes this
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
3 Jun 08
Hi jer31558! Here in our country, most of the prisons here lack all that amenities of a 5 star hotel, unless you are a wealthy criminal and your family will provide all your needs and even some special privileges, and they have their own room/cell. There was a study here before by private organizations and have reported that in our prisons most lack food, medical services and inmates are cramped together in small cells. However, it is also reported that they are given trainings such as in computer and other skills that could make them productive member of the society once they are out and they are also given spiritual guidance and psychological care. There have been reports too that there are beatings and tortures that happened within the confines of the prison to straighten out prisoners but these has always been denied by prison officials. Personally, I do agree with your thoughts that prisons should not be like the "holiday inn" even if you are wealthy and let them do work. Sure, more guards will be needed but for sure the prisoners having making themselves productive will somehow make them realize their worth to have an honest work.
Take Care and God Bless! 
@jer31558 (3683)
• United States
5 Jun 08
I do think that there should be some limit as to the training we give to criminals and that should be according to the crime. I have actually heard some years back of criminals training to be locksmiths. If that isn't asking for trouble I don't know what is.
2 people like this
@SusanLee (1920)
• United States
4 Jun 08
Hi Jer,
I'm not from another country. But I think rewarding them with the 'Holiday Inn' (and that's exactly what it is in some cases) is revolting.
I myself think the really rotten ones should be sent to a military boot camp and shipped to Iraq. Let them be the prey for awhile. They want to feed off the innocent over here, let them go over there and deal with the terrorist. Maybe it'll give them a purpose in life and feed the need to victimize those that have it coming. One without a conscience fighting with another without a conscience.
I bet it costs us more to house one of these people here in one year than what our soldiers get paid in a year.
Now the really bad ones, like pedophles and serial killers, well they just need to be exterimated period. I don't believe they can be helped anymore than a dog with rabies can be helped, it just is what it is. They're evil and they're just wasting air.
Something like this can really get my drawers in a wad lol
2 people like this
@AdrianX (30)
• Philippines
3 Jun 08
They oughta be punished. Like what happened here in my country, wherein ten people were shot in the head in a bank robbery.Though the criminals did that for money, they souldn't have killed the people inside. They should have searched for legal jobs. People like them will only think about the consequences after they are punished and not a moment before.
@ssh123 (31073)
• India
4 Jun 08
Modern jail system is undergoing changes towards their treatment of prisoners. I feel it is better to subject them to simple imprisonment and transform them to be real upright citizens rather than giving them severe punishment. Giving punishment only aggravate the situation andmake the ordinary criminals as hardcore criminals.
1 person likes this
@a_robinnep (529)
• Nepal
23 Jun 08
Thanks for select a social topics. In my view if anyone who is involveed in the crime should be punished. I think reform is the part of punishment.
@buldwgz (1489)
• United States
3 Jun 08
This is a very interesting, and tough, discussion Jer31558. It brings up many different opinions and emotions. I have many within my own mind about this actually, and I am not really sure which way I lean on this topic. Sure, everyone deserves the chance at rehabilitation and each and every crime should be looked at as just that, an individual event committed by a PERSON. There are some, however, that continue to do the same crimes over and over. Maybe there has come a time, especially in the U.S., that we find out what causes crime and fix the problems then we can move on to stopping crimes from being committed in the first place. We seem determined to throw people in jail and spend tons of money on them, instead of actually fixing the problems. I have also always found it kind of silly that a large portion of the prison population in the U.S. is black, close to, if not over, 50%. And studies have shown that most crimes in the U.S. are committed by other races. I wonder why this is. Maybe the U.S. is still doing it's best to keep the black race enslaved. Just my personal opinion and I know that I will catch He^L for saying it, but a fact is a fact. Don't just spew or regurgitate what you hear from your 'friends'. Do the research...You will find it to be true.
1 person likes this
@mummymo (23706)
•
3 Jun 08
I do think that there is room for reform but never in cases of extreme or unprovoked violence. I think that here in the UK people who commit fraud are more likely to get imprisoned than someone who commits burglaries or assaults many people, it is so topsy turvy! I do think that there is far too much leniency and too many chances given to persistent offenders and then when they are eventually given a prison sentance they are ushered into the equivalant of at least a 3 star hotel with so many luxuries that many hard working families can't afford! I wish prison were a punishment like it was meant to be rather than the fully inclusive holiday it so often is! xxxx
2 people like this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
3 Jun 08
Hi jer, This may sound like a ridiculous statement to many people, but punishment has never made much sense to me. I believe that it is the system that creates criminals, and from some of the horror stories I've read, I doubt if many want to go back to prison after they are released. Sometimes it just takes a moment of anger to end up in prison, other times a young person is in the wrong place at the wrong time. Some people of course don't stand much chance of staying out of prison because of their upbringing, and these might be the only ones who would want to go back, they've never known anything better. All countries spent a lot of money keeping criminals locked up, the money would be better spent giving them a real chance to do something with their life after they are released. A lot of times the choice is between living on the street or going back to prison. It may be difficult to change some older criminals because they don't trust the system that has continually kept sending them back to jail, but I think we could do a lot for first time offenders. We need to get these young people contributing again, not being a burden. On the other hand, there are people being released from prison who should not be allowed back into society, because they are too great a danger. Some of these people may never be reformed, and must be kept in prison, not as a punishment, but for the protection of others. I am simply giving my opinion here, knowing that others have the right to a completely different way of thinking. Blessings.
2 people like this
@skinnychick (6905)
• United States
3 Jun 08
Ask criminals in Arizona if they want to go back to jail. They even have a vacancy sign in front. Pretty hilarious if you ask me. The men who go there wear pink underwear, live in tents even in the heat and are made to work. More jails and prisons should be like this. Offenders reoffend because they don't mind going to jail or prison. We need to make it unbearable so they wake up and think about what got them there in the first place. As fas as I'm concerned, you commit a crime and you lose your rights. Maybe it will make these people wake up and live better lives if they ever get out. There are some that should never be let out but those that we do, could possibly be forced to make better choices out of fear.
1 person likes this
@cjgrooms (4456)
• United States
4 Jun 08
I completley agree with you. Prison is not a deterrent because they have better medical care, better educational oppertunitys, someone to cook, feed and provide them with clean laundry. If the same amount of money was spent on education, medical treatment and assistance BEFORE they landed in jail ( idon't mean more spent on welfare) it would have been a lot more helpful. But rewarding them after they get there does no good. And when prison was a place you paid for what you did instead of being paid for what you did it worked a lot better.
@jrsmith (292)
• United States
3 Jun 08
Well to me if they are not punished and just attempted to reform them it is telling them that it is ok to commit a crime all that would happen is a slap on the wrist basically. I don't think the punishment is stiff enough for some crimes today especially in our county.
1 person likes this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
3 Jun 08
It should always be a combination of both punishment AND reform. And I also believe that there needs to be a stronger focus on "creative" punishment that is more in lione with the crime itself where possible (And within reason of course!). Humanitarian acts such as the ones you mentioned in your post are a good example. If someone vandalizes property; make them fix it as a part of their punishment etc. There has to be a better way to address crime and punishment than the way most countries deal with it today as there are high percentages of reoffenders and many cases of people that become career criminals.....
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
4 Jun 08
I am with you on this one....if you didn't do the crime....you wouldn't have to do the time and I think we could all take a lessons from Arizona that still has the chain gangs cleaning up the roadsides and doing things to be productive that others would not have to do and suffer. When they are out cleaning the roadsides sometimes it's a hundred degrees and if they don't learn a lesson from that they they will never learn! There are some that can be reformed. And should be given the chance...but for return offenders....throw the book at them and quit treating them residents at a hotel!
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
3 Jun 08
I think if we would pay more attention to our children and how they're growing up, what kind of education and opportunities they get, we wouldn't have criminals. Or at least very few.
The way to reform criminals is to keep children from growing up that way.
For the ones of today, I like the way Joe Arpaio in Phoenix, AZ does it--nobody wants to come back to his jail and the rate of repeat inmates is lowest in the nation. He's called the meanest sheriff in America. No tv except PBS. No coffee. No Playboy or other girlie magazines. No canteen where they can buy treats. Everyone works. They eat food that's near expiration date because it's cheap and he feeds each inmate on $.50 a day. Drunks go to tent city for their sentence, tents with no a/c in the summer and it's miserable. Like I said, nobody wants to go back!
@lieanat (1137)
• Malaysia
5 Jun 08
Criminals.. the world will be more peaceful if they never existed! So, my two cents are don't ever reform with them unless they really changed and repent from their deeds. And they must pay the price too. In my country, some of the punishments are quite lenient. That's why the crime rates are getting higher and higher each day!
I just hope that the Law institution in my country will really put more effort in punish those criminals and stop them to commit one! Then, my country will be a safe country!
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (166911)
• Boise, Idaho
3 Jun 08
I feel that criminals should be only given what priviledges they get after fulfilling any of a list of certain programs. If they want visiting, congacule or otherwise, they have to fulfill one of the programs. And, I think that the less violent criminals could help with disaster relief to get good days. the violent ones and real sickos can rot or do the program. I think one reason these programs aren't used is for insurance and security reasons. If they got enough men on a team to help with somee disaster how could they trust them. And, they never have enough guards whether they have the money or not. I do feel that one way to initiate change is to take it a step at a time with the lesser affenders. It is so hard to trust them though. These prisons are run by gangs and lifers. Tough call.
1 person likes this
