In this weeks reading, the topic that really grabbed my attention, was the information about prisons. It was very shocking to learn the number of people we support in prison, and the cost is about $25,327 per year, per prisoner! That comes from our tax dollars. With the cost, the number of people who reoffend, and the large number of people we have there in the first place, I think its time we rethink how we run our society, and how we run our prisons.
If a primary reason that a person commits a crime is believed to be a result of economic status, then why don’t we take that $25,327 a year, and put it towards the families that suffer economically? Take that money, and fix our schools, our neighborhoods, and give the children we are raising, the feeling that somebody cares, and wants to give them a future. Provide a way to college, and a good education will give them other choices.
Another thought is to quit using our prisons to punish smaller crimes. Find a way for those who commit crimes, such a prostitution, to learn a better way of living life. Usually those crimes are committed because a person is desperate. So take that money, and make them less desperate. Give them education so they can learn a trade, and learn to contribute. If you give them a sense of self worth, then they will learn not to be so self-destructive.
Prisons seem to also be concerned with the “rights” of the prisoner. If a person is going to do a crime, then why should their time in prison be anything less than hard? I am sure there are things that can be cut in order to save the taxpayers. If prison is a nightmare experience, rather than a cell, TV, and free education, then maybe they will think twice.
If prisons turn out lifetime, hardened, criminals, then we have to look at what kind of programs can be implemented to change that. With all the “genius” people we have on this planet, somebody can’t come up with something better? Give them a skill in prison that is something they will love to do on the outside. If they don’t love what they do, they won’t stick with it. Figure out what they love, and what they are good at. Train them, and give them a chance when they get out. If they love cars, teach them mechanics, if they love cooking, make them a chef. Then when they get out, give them a real job that they can be proud of.
I realize this may not work for the criminally insane, but it might be a solution for the rest who are just criminals because of economic status. As for those that are insane, I say lock them up and throw away the key. I know that sounds hard, but if they are insane, how can they be rehabilitated enough to stop harming society?
Kylie,
ReplyDeleteI agree that more "minor" offenses maybe involving drugs if the crime did not include violence should not be punishable by a prison sentence. I do think that prisoners do have rights and we have the moral responsibility to attempt to rehabilitate those incarserated so they are funcionable in society when they are released.