The Town Hall Archives

rosie · Inquisitive Member Joined: 07 Jan 2003 Posts: 1197

They need TV for the correctional officers to watch. They work 12 hour shifts, you know.

I agree that prisons could be less comfortable, but we need to be thankfull that they aren't too bad. In the book "How Now Shall We Live" some pretty horrid prisons are described. So I think we need to be thankfull.

hawkeye · Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2003 11:18 pm Post subject:

All that is needed is a room big enough for sleeping, using the restroom, and walk around to stretch the legs. Nothing more. No recreation, no shop class, no sports, no tv....

Solitary confimement isn't a horrid idea, after all, humans are sociable species, so denying socializing (with people who are bad influences anyway) will work on anyone who can be 'broken'.... It will stop theft, if for some reason, that is chosen as the required discipline...

But certainly, the Biblical way is the best of all! In 'third world' countries, similar punishment is given for breaking the law, and crime is incrediably low... There is no possible connection! Rolling Eyes

If a thief was forced to repay what he stole then some, and/or his hand was cut off, You can just about garantee he won't steal again, and if he does, it will be far harder for him...

Jacob Isom · Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2003 11:27 pm Post subject:

Ain't that the truth...? Wink

DrBlackgaard · Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2003 11:28 pm Post subject:

rosie · Inquisitive Member Joined: 07 Jan 2003 Posts: 1197

Jared · Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2003 7:53 am Post subject:

Fine, the officers should have TV if they want it and it doesn't interfere with their jobs, but why should the prisoners get it?

And as for recreation, well, I am in support of basic humane treatment, but is it our job to keep them occupied?

hawkeye · Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2003 9:31 am Post subject:

Recreation only adds to the cost of keeping them, is an increased security risk, and only rewards them (in a sense) for their crime! Solitary confinment has a simple purpose: to break the hardest people from a certain view by making them 'go crazy', in a sense. If a criminal is so hard not to break, then they should stay in their cell, lest they endager society further. If the criminal breaks, then they will willingly give up there (likely incorrect) view just to have human interaction. Thus, near solitary confinment is likely one of the more effective methods of breaking criminals. Recreation only reverses the progress made, especially when they can 'recreate' in their cell.....

rosie · Inquisitive Member Joined: 07 Jan 2003 Posts: 1197

hello, they are HUMAN! How would you feel if you got drunk did something wrong, got caught, and was thrown in jail for 50 years. Do you know how unbearable those 50 years would be? Maybe you're right about the tv, but people need to be OCCUPIED. "but is it our job to keep them occupied?" yes! Where's your compassion! For one thing, it isn't us vs. them. They aren't the enemy. And to not be occupied would be very terrible! Occupation is a basic human need. period. They need to be taught other ways to live, be taught about God. Sure, they also need punishment. But solatary confinement? That's sick! Now, I agree with all of you about jails being too comfortable. And I'm all for capital punishment. But really. Solatary confinement cannot change a person, only God can.