Quote:
Originally Posted by octothorp
Does such a program even require an increase in taxes? If you offset it with earlier parole for reformed non-violent offenders... Basically let ten guys out a year earlier to keep the one really bad guy in ten years longer? Not sure if the demographics warrant it, but an ideological shift in the penal system such as you have suggested does not necessary require more funding. Would you let 10 repentant freudulent accountants out of prison early to keep one unrepentant rapist in there for life? I think most people would.
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I have no idea if one could offset the other, if the cost would balance out as per your suggestion. All I was saying is you can not lump all criminals together and then ask the general public if they are willing to pay more to keep them all behind bars for a longer period of time. As you have pointed out, some rehabilitate and once released, get on with their life and are no longer dangerous in any way, shape or form. I can't say about the rest of the public, but for me, I would be willing to release them earlier if the money saved would keep the very dangerous ones behind bars longer. And I would be willing to pay more period, just to keep them off our streets.