Community Chat

[seniorcitizen]

On 2/22/2015 evelomaddict said:

the real question is, why are prisons so understaffed to allow such a thing to happen?

When Federal taxes are cut to buy votes (and that IS why they cut taxes) then the states are not given as much federal money to operate so either they have to raise state taxes or they have to cut funding to things like schools, state hospitals , infrastructure maintenance. and many other things like prisons. Less money = less employees = less guards.

[terrier3]

On 2/22/2015 seniorcitizen said:

On 2/22/2015 evelomaddict said:

the real question is, why are prisons so understaffed to allow such a thing to happen?

When Federal taxes are cut to buy votes (and that IS why they cut taxes) then the states are not given as much federal money to operate so either they have to raise state taxes or they have to cut funding to things like schools, state hospitals , infrastructure maintenance. and many other things like prisons. Less money = less employees = less guards.

TX has outsourced most of it's prisons to private companies.

Since they are in the business of making money - they cut all the corners they can re guards, facilities, food, etc.

[this is my nic]

Prisons don't exist for the purpose of giving inmates a lifestyle that most of us work hard for. They exist for punishment for crimes committed.

[croemer]

On 2/22/2015 di-mc said:

Prisons don't exist for the purpose of giving inmates a lifestyle that most of us work hard for. They exist for punishment for crimes committed.

Finally someone I agree with!!!!

[Marmalade_1]

On 2/22/2015 di-mc said:

Prisons don't exist for the purpose of giving inmates a lifestyle that most of us work hard for. They exist for punishment for crimes committed.

Exactly! If they were more unpleasant maybe more people would fight harder to stay out of them instead of making a life of crime.

[croemer]

On 2/22/2015 Marmalade said:

On 2/22/2015 di-mc said:

Prisons don't exist for the purpose of giving inmates a lifestyle that most of us work hard for. They exist for punishment for crimes committed.

Exactly! If they were more unpleasant maybe more people would fight harder to stay out of them instead of making a life of crime.

Amen sista!

[judgejudith]

When I started this thread this morning I had thought I heard that it was a federal facility, housing inmates who committed federal crimes. Yes, I think our prison system needs some work, however, I would much rather be in any prison in the USA over any prison in the middle east. If it is true tat the majority of the inmates in this incident were in fact illegal immigrants with criminal records, where do you believe they should be housed while they are waiting for their federal hearing? Which I might add, they are entitled to under our federal laws. This is a very, very complicated problem. We do not have money to build federal facilities so we out source our prison facilities. We do not have money to treat our mentally I'll in hospitals, so we turn them out on the streets where their. Illnesses get them in trouble. We do not have enough money to properly educate our children so they can achieve and be properly motivated. It is indeed a complicated problem. And please do not get me started on the problems associated with downsizing the government!

[croemer]

Me either JJ...less gov't would be much better.

[bluecrocus]

I recently saw this...

Informative, especially in light of privatization

http://www.scribd.com/doc/256032330/Incarcerations-Front-Door-Report

Incarceration’s Front Door addresses what is arguably one of the chief drivers of difficulty in our troubled criminal justice system: jails.

The report’s encyclopedic examination of jail use—who’s in jail and the myriad paths leading there—is meant to inform. But it should also unnerve and incite us to action. As Vera’s president, I observe injustice routinely. Nonetheless even I—as this report came together—was jolted by the extent to which unconvicted people in this country are held in jail simply because they are too poor to pay what it costs to get out. I was startled by the numbers of people detained for behavior that stems primarily from mental illness, homelessness, or addiction. I was dismayed by how even a brief stay in jail can be destructive to individuals, their families, and entire communities. And I’ve been at this work for a while now.

I suspect that many readers will come to this report thinking that jail is reserved only for those too dangerous to be released while awaiting trial or those deemed likely to flee rather than face prosecution. Indeed, jails are necessary for some people. Yet too often we see ordinary people, some even our neighbors, held for minor violations such as driving with a suspended license, public intoxication, or shoplifting because they cannot afford bail as low as $500. Single parents may lose custody of their children, sole wage-earners in families, their jobs—while all of us, the taxpayers, pay for them to stay in jail.

[Blahblahvampemer]

On 2/22/2015 chessylady said: What some people don't know is that the U.S. incarcerates more people than any other country in the world, it's a big business. Some people won't like this but victimless crimes (drug possession, paid adult consenting s-x)should not be a cause for jail. People imprisoned for minor crimes learn how to be criminals in jail. They also have less opportunity for jobs with a criminal record.

It's really because we're the only nation that will keep the worst offenders in jail. In Europe, murderers and rapists will likely be released, and they have the crime rates to prove it. In Britain, there's even a "duty to flee." If you hurt the criminal too much fighting back, you'll go to jail, too. The cost to society for housing these nuts is less than the property, physical and emotional costs. As for those jobs, if you're violent, or you're a thief, I wouldn't touch you with a 10-foot pole.