NationStates Jolt Archive

If you were in charge of prisons in the US, what reforms would you implement?

Not placing non violent drug offenders there.

Ideally, I'd get rid of prisons altogether, or at least as much as possible...I think that drug treatment, fines, and a little corporal punishment would work much better than the current system in the majority of circumstances

That, and I find incarceration to be more of an affront to human rights than most other punishments, including capital punishment, but that's just me.

What prison system?

(I can post again, hallelujah!)

I'd crack down on prison guards and make sure they put up with no illegal activity inside jail.

You ever see that movie Fortress? Something like that, but with better actors. :tongue:

What prison system?

(I can post again, hallelujah!)

Why couldn't you before?

Get rid of those who were put in jail for small amount of drugs that were clearly intended for private uses.

Not placing non violent drug offenders there.

This^^^, the penal system isnt the problem, imo, its the supposed offenders who dont belong there...

This^^^, the penal system isnt the problem, imo, its the supposed offenders who dont belong there...

I think we would clear out half the people in jail.

Use them as cannon fodder in war and use them in chain gangs.

I would immediately and unconditionally release all non-violent drug "offenders," and everyone else who is in prison for committing a victimless "crime."

Why couldn't you before?Let my account get de-activated.

...In other words, got punished for straying too far from the forum. :D

First, I would advocate the end of imprisonment for certain minor offenses (drug possession, etc). This would free up prison space, which would allow me to implement my next policy change: eliminating parol for violent offenders, rapists, sever cases of theft, etc. Essentially, I would split offenders into two groups: those who are guilty of minor offenses would receive community service, fines, rehabilitation, etc. Those who are dangerous enough to lock up in the interests of public safety would have a very hard time ever getting out.

As it is, what does the prison system do besides take minor offenders, throw them into an overcrowded hell hole, and then parol then as hardened felons to make room for the next batch? The Justice System needs to put public safety and well-being first, not vengence in the name of Justice. Thus, if you're not a threat to public safety you would not go to jail. If you were dangerous enough to warrant incarceration, you wouldn't get out easily.

Oh, and I'll agree to better oversight of prison guards as well.

Well, assuming I don't have the power to change the laws, institute reforms to pass through, release early, et cetera people in there on charges of possession and similarly unimportant crap.

Also, de-privatize the system. Top to bottom. Completely. Privatization of the prison system has backfired severely.

Those are two. I'd also like to see an emphasis on psychological treatment and vocational training, and trying to work on job placement of inmates ending their term in prison. The idea is to use this time to try to minimize their chances of recidivism.

Another thing that occurs to me is reducing the size and continuity of prison communities. A prison "culture" is the last thing you want.

I'd look for the highest cliff, build a prison entrance right on the edge, call it 'Hotel California', and start sending in the criminals. :tongue:

give me the funding you spend on prisons and let me be in charge i will make it better

Put some effort into community punishments rather than just sending everyone to prison.

Put some effort into community punishments rather than just sending everyone to prison.

put me in charge I will save cost.

put me in charge I will save cost.

Why do I suspect that may involve firing squads?

Minimise the number of non violent criminals in prison by punishing them by alternative means.

Why do I suspect that may involve firing squads?

Diesel engine, bullets are expensive carbon monoxide not so much.
Also I will set up an early release program for Prisoners who become volunteer guards and don't get caught doing anything wrong while being a volunteer guard.

Diesel engine, bullets are expensive carbon monoxide not so much.
Also I will set up an early release program for Prisoners who become volunteer guards and don't get caught doing anything wrong while being a volunteer guard.

Remembering the Holocaust in your own special way I see

Remembering the Holocaust in your own special way I see

never let an efficient system go to waste.

never let an efficient system go to waste.

Tasteful

If you were in charge of prisons in the US, what reforms would you implement?

Non-violent drug offenders go directly to rehab.
Death row is where people die, not life imprisonment based on how good their lawyer is.
Real-world transition and work training for people leaving jail.

Tasteful
If we were to refuse to use efficient systems because evil people were efficient in the past, then we would be short a large number of technological advances.

If we were to refuse to use efficient systems because evil people were efficient in the past, then we would be short a large number of technological advances.

Yet Another supporter of the greed and Death prison system

I'd replace whoever decides how rehab works with a group of veteran psychiatrists and psychologists,

Three words: The Running Man (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Running_Man_(film))

Three words: The Running Man (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Running_Man_(film))

Profit potential I am seeing here.

I'd crack down on prison guards and make sure they put up with no illegal activity inside jail.
Also, de-privatize the system. Top to bottom. Completely. Privatization of the prison system has backfired severely.

Those are two. I'd also like to see an emphasis on psychological treatment and vocational training, and trying to work on job placement of inmates ending their term in prison. The idea is to use this time to try to minimize their chances of recidivism.

Another thing that occurs to me is reducing the size and continuity of prison communities. A prison "culture" is the last thing you want.

All of these.

Not placing non violent offenders together with violent criminals.
Have re-education programmes in place, as well as detox clinics and the likes.
Harsher punishment for abuse by guards.
Complete surveillance over all of the prison area, complete control, to stop abuse by inmates.
Create a system where prisoners are "phased out" of prison by getting more leaves of absences from the prison as their release date approaches. Helping them readjust to freedom and prepare for a normal life.

Profit potential I am seeing here.

we can run some sort of subscription based video service over the internet.

Hmm..if I was reforming...well there be alot more Dog Food, thats for sure.

More fines, exiles, and house arrests, and less prison time. And no jail time for non-violent drug users.

I'd put rival gangs together to lower the prison population. And I'd get rid of many of the commodities so prision wasn't as comfortable. Also more work would be required of the people in prision.

Prison colonies in Alaska for lifers.

Public whipping.

I'd put rival gangs together to lower the prison population. And I'd get rid of many of the commodities so prision wasn't as comfortable. Also more work would be required of the people in prision.

and video tape the gangs and sell the tapes for profit.

I'd put rival gangs together to lower the prison population. And I'd get rid of many of the commodities so prision wasn't as comfortable. Also more work would be required of the people in prision.

Considering how extremely common incidences of abuse are in prisons, I don't think you can call them "comfortable."

Considering how extremely common incidences of abuse are in prisons, I don't think you can call them "comfortable."

if they are not begging to be sent to gitmo they are too comfortable

So I've been perusing the responses and saw that they fell into three categories. So I added a poll.

I personally feel that prison should be rehabilitative and that no one is beyond rehabilitation. In addition, prison should be a safe place. The very idea that society finds it acceptable that people get raped or killed in prison is nauseous.