COMMENTS:
Voted : Reform
I think it should be reform, at least in principle. But also to keep the public safe from people who are crazy and would hurt them, like murderers and child rapists, and that sort of thing.
Voted : Reform
If it's primary function is punishment, punishment (or the threat of) has never been an effective deterent.
Opportunity, behaviorial modifacation is more effective in preventing reoffending.
Hi Audrey.
It depends on the prisoner. For killers and the worst child molesters, punishment and throw away the key. For those that respond well to reform, seperate prisons for those groups would be best.
Does anyone actually believe the reformation hypocrisy of government on prisons? Give me a break! Of course prisons are for punishment. Should they be? Not if we want inmates to emerge better than they were when they were sent to prison.
Here's the deal: You can't have it both ways. Either you punish people or you reform them. The two goals are at odds with one another.
On a strictly viscereal level, I want people who hurt me hurt. On a rational level, I realize that if I want the person who hurt me to become a better person, I have to give up my revenge motives and move toward rehabilitation. And it ain't easy.
Actually Margaret, that's the reason prisons are run by the government. It's not in the people's hands, like in Afghanistan where a 12 year old boy carries out the execution of the accused. Sad.
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