Quote:
Originally posted by Reaper@Oct 13 2004, 10:50 PM
It is really ridiculous for two reasons:
1) Most people don't like to give up their freedom in the way that jail forces you to.
2) Grass roots social programs actually go a long way towards feeding the destitute.
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Actually, if you worked in the field, you would know he isn't off base. I have worked in Young Offender/Youth/Remand facilities (depending on the government)for 13 years, and have seen this alot. Social Assistance is great, and it helps thousands of needy people, but it also has thousands slip through the cracks. There are alot of teenagers and adults that turn to crime due to their situations, whether to feed themselves or a habit, and some even do crime to get arrested, because they get a warm bed, clean clothes, and hot food in an environment where they feel safer. A tell tale comment came from a kid that had lived on the street off and on for 8 years, he was only 16, and he said,
" This is great, you guys bring me clean clothes, three squares, a bed time snack, a warm bed with clean sheets, and a hot shower. I get to go to school, and watch TV and you have people that take me to play games. I have to tell all my friends about this, it beats squeegeeing, maybe they can do the winter here."
For awhile, there was a problem with street kids and whinos admitting to crimes they hadn't committed, to sit in remand until the court case, so they could be warm and dry.
"I think so people are overrating the comforts of prison. It's a little worse than a "warm bed" and freedom from worrying about money and food. You instead have to worry about beatings (from guards and inmates), never seeing your family or friends, never going anywhere, prison rapes, and the list goes on. It's not a pleasant place. Sure some minimum security prisons my not be too bad, but a murderer should never be in one of those places.
" Flames Addiction.
This isn't the 1970's in the Southern USA, or some Central American prison. 99% of our facilities are armed with Closed Circuit Television Cameras and many now have computer backups that detail the moment a camera is deemed malfunctional, and which doors are opened. Groups like the Elizabeth Fry Society, John Howard Society, and Ombudsmen make sure that guards don't assault prisoners, and that the living environment is relatively safe. Most long term prisoners, who have committed indictable offences (especially level 1 offences) are placed in individual cells, in 22-23 hour lockdown environments for their own protection. All federal inmates are placed in a Detention center while they are tried and assessed, and their final location is determined from there, whether it be minimum, medium or maximum security
3 guards at Metro East Detention Center in Toronto were fired because the force they used was excessive. The days of beating into submission are long over. Our society believes in rehabilitation, and most institutions will actually fund transportation to allow prisoners families (if they need it) to visit.
"I'm sure if he deserved the death penality, then he wouldn't be getting parole, so you wouldn't have to worry about him roaming the streets anyways."
Unfortunately, a life sentence is actually deemed as 15-25 years, and with earned remission, 25 years becomes 16yrs, 8mths. 15 years becomes 10 years. With the YCJA, a Youth can commit a murder, be sentenced as a youth, get the maximum 7 years, only 4 of which are in secure custody, followed by 2 in open custody, and 1 in community supervision.
A recent study showed that it cost approximately $250 000 per year, to house a federal inmate. A 10 year stint costs $2.5M, and the recidivism rate for this group is about 40%. High cost, low results.