Do you not think it prudent to prepare them for a life outside of prison for when they are released?
Then maybe they might stand a chance of not reoffending.
I never said anything about not imprisoning offenders or it not being fair. I'm just pointing out that there are (theoretically, at least) two strands to our criminal justice system - punishment and rehabilitation.
Otherwise you might as well just take the American approach and lock people away for as long as possible.
( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Wed 24 Oct 2012, 14:46, 1 reply, 13 years ago)

They get taught trades in jail.
I don't see how this is applicable. Prison is prison, it is not a holiday camp. They have their civil rights removed for crimes against society.
( Kroney, Wed 24 Oct 2012, 14:49, Reply)

They have their freedom removed.
And they are taught trades as part of the rehabilitation program.
What purpose does removing a civil right, such as the right to vote, have anyway?
( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Wed 24 Oct 2012, 14:56, Reply)

If you're going down that road, then what purpose does removing their freedom of movement serve?
By putting them in prison you are, as a society, stating that this person is undesirable and does not deserve to be a free member of society. I'd say the freedom to vote and thereby have a say in the direction the country takes is a pretty big part of being a free member of society.
( Kroney, Wed 24 Oct 2012, 14:58, Reply)

I'm not going down that road.
My point is that the removal of freedom is already the punishment part of it, so why is there any need to add further punishment?
By putting them in prison we are stating that this is their punishment and not all of these undesirable people receive custodial sentences.
Prisoners are still a part of society. They are still there and likely to return.
( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Wed 24 Oct 2012, 15:03, Reply)

So what about the right to sit on a jury?
Do you think cons should be allowed to be called up for jury service?
(Reverend Fister "a disciplined fuckwit", Wed 24 Oct 2012, 15:13, Reply)

Enough with the logical fallacies already.

( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Wed 24 Oct 2012, 15:22, Reply)

Too many straw men in this argument.

( Kroney, Wed 24 Oct 2012, 15:27, Reply)