Does the prison system really work to correct criminals?

A prison system can be effective if set up correctly. Look at Russia, nobody wants to go to jail there . If they were better off financially as a nation I think they'd see much lower crime rates.

Coming from California, however, I can tell you our prison system is a joke. Many people look forward to getting into prison because its easier than being on the streets. They are well fed, they often get access to books, televisions, games, and even sports rec leagues and such. Their medical is fully covered by the state and there isnt any real back breaking work to be done other than fighting off your prison mate when he's feelin 'the need'.

I believe that criminals convicted of the most heinous crimes should not sit on death row for years. They should be given a shot within the week and we call it a day. I believe those that serve life long sentences should look forward to long hours under the sun or in the cold repairing our highways, tilling the earth, and in general doing the tough jobs nobody else wants to do that give back to the community. *THEY* acted out against society, they should pay the price of giving back to it. "Free time" shouldn't be lifting weights and playing basketball or sitting in your cot with your favorite book. "Work" shouldn't consist of picking up litter on the side of a highway, thats just community service for people who start fights or drink and drive and such. Unfortunately, Caltrans and other labor unions would throw a hissy fit if they lost work or contracts to prison labor. Unfortunately, politics win out more often than not.

I don't think life should be overly grueling for light sentences... I understand things happen, but it shouldn't be cake either. Those that are meant to live there for 10+ year sentences, though, they need to pay for their 30,000$ a year.

As an aside: The guard system needs to be restructured as well. I have a friend that is a guard and he makes over $100,000 a year after overtime his first year. I won't make that as a professional with a doctorate in my field. His FIRST year... Its only going to go up from there and nobody deserves that for spending most of their time sleeping at a desk (and he does). Its especially bad with the ones who are watching over inmates at hospitals. There MUST be at least 2 guards at all times and they're 100% on overtime from the minute they arrive. Its weak.



this is someone elses writing.. i think i agree with it lets see what you guys think?

agreed

Most of the time no it doesn't

Word up.

American prison and jail systems are a joke. Ive been arrested a few times for various things, and admittedly the first time I was scared as shit. But they send you to a place where everyone else is just like you. You know what to expect outta these mother fuckers in there. Its actually comforting in a wierd way. Anyways, the second and third time I went to jail, it was just a simple cake walk. "Oh whats up homie, you was in here the last time I was, nice seein ya again." The only real "punishment", and I use the term lightly, is not having any freedom. But, free food, no work, homies to hang out with, a bed to sleep in. Really, other than uninvited man love, theres nothing to worry about unless you cross someone you shouldnt have.

prison is no joke but for some its college it can teach you more than the streets but for the ppl who really didnt want to be there i do belive it helps them

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Originally Posted by zino11

prison is no joke but for some its college it can teach you more than the streets but for the ppl who really didnt want to be there i do belive it helps them

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i totally agree in my younger days when i was an idiot i spent quite alot of time inside, i learnt alot of scams,how to pick locks, but best of all how to make prison alcohol.i had a good laugh it wasn't really that much of a punishment it was all to easy.

"All research on successful drug policy shows that treatment should be increased, and law enforcement decreased while abolishing mandatory minimum sentences" - "Prison Song" by System of a Down

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Originally Posted by Leondiggs

id say no i just got robbed yesterday and before that the same guy robbed me 3 months ago i know it was the same guy because my room was trashed the same exact way it was before. im sure this common criminal was in the pen at some point. i think the only way to change people is threw hypnosis or just tell them there gonna be hangin out with rosie o donnel for the rest of thier lives im sure that would make an honest person out of them
Leon "Chicks digg me" Diggs

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you got robbed twice by the same dude hahah no offense thats hillarious

lol, rip bob marley

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Originally Posted by zino11

you got robbed twice by the same dude hahah no offense thats hillarious

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LMAO I spit my drink, thanks, na it's okay but I was totaly thinking that :D

HAHA, pimp cane

A system can't change a person, only a person can change themselves.

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Originally Posted by Leondiggs

id say no i just got robbed yesterday and before that the same guy robbed me 3 months ago i know it was the same guy because my room was trashed the same exact way it was before. im sure this common criminal was in the pen at some point. i think the only way to change people is threw hypnosis or just tell them there gonna be hangin out with rosie o donnel for the rest of thier lives im sure that would make an honest person out of them
Leon "Chicks digg me" Diggs

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you fucking crack me up leondiggs... hahah:stoned::stoned:

the positisve/negative effect prision has on it's prisioner, is a question that has numerous varriables.For some it's a wake up call, for some it's like summer camp.

damn somenoe just knocked my beer over... what a fucker !! lmao...

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Originally Posted by BlAzInIt4:20

A prison system can be effective if set up correctly. Look at Russia, nobody wants to go to jail there . If they were better off financially as a nation I think they'd see much lower crime rates.

Coming from California, however, I can tell you our prison system is a joke. Many people look forward to getting into prison because its easier than being on the streets. They are well fed, they often get access to books, televisions, games, and even sports rec leagues and such. Their medical is fully covered by the state and there isnt any real back breaking work to be done other than fighting off your prison mate when he's feelin 'the need'.

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I guess you have never been to the California Dept Of Corrections then because you are talking out the side of your neck.
Since 1997 inmates that have money on their books have to pay for the doctor visits. {Thank you Pete Wilson}
Yes, there is access to books television and games, the sports is a little out there man unless you count excersize.
If you want money on yur books in the CDC system and you do not have family or friends supplying that moneyfrom the outside, you have to get a job that pays for your labor. It does not pay much but, it is money for work rendered.
97% of the people that walk out the prison gate are going back, some maybe for good.
I am one of the 3% that made it and will not be going back to prison because the system worked for me, it made me realize that existence behind the walls sucks ass and there had to be a better way and I have been out of prison since 1999 and off of parole since January 19th 2000.
The reason I am in that 3% is because I am also in the 3% of drug addicts that have made it. If one does not drink and do drugs, chances are he will not be going to prison anytime soon. 90% of the inmates in the CDC prison system are in there because of drug related crimes, the other 10% are real criminals that have no chance of ever pulling their head out of their asses and belong in prison.
Does the prison system work? In a way yes and in a way no. It works for storing those criminals off of our streets but does it change the person into a contributing member of society? No, it makes them worse.

I hate jail, only because once people are there they usually don't mind going back. It doesn't scare them, or anything like that. Atleast not those who've I talked to. My current boyfriend sometimes talks about going back to jail, he talks about what it was like there and shit like that. The only thing he DIDN'T like about it was that he was away from his family and friends, other then that it was a "breeze" for him so to speak. He got schooling, exercise, made friends and shit like that. Why wouldn't he want to be there? My ex, basically said the same thing. He used to say "I'd rather go to jail then do community service. They have to pay for my 3 meals a day and a place to sleep."

no the prison system doesnt correct criminals, all they do is lock you up. they dont teach you what you did wrong and how to behave. they put you in a system where there are more criminals that will teach others how to commit other crimes. you could go to jail cause of a fight and come out a professional burglar or car thief.

nope does the opposite and i'm proof of that...

i went into juvi... with minimal knowledge on drugs... i came out knowing more about drugs then the counselors for the drug units did.... it's also where i heard about a few 'questionable' technically legal 'drugs' from.... if you catch my drift...

all jail really does is teach you to be a better criminal...

the only way one is going to be 'corrected' is if they want to... and that has nothing to do with jail... you can correct yourself while out in the free if you really want to.... it's not a correctional institute (even tho it says it is) it's just a place to fear to keep alot of people outta trouble..

ive never been to prison but i have been in jail. i have to agree it mostly it doesnt work. lots of the same people there if you happen to go back(including me i guess) i hate jail but there was always something stupid that happened and ended up going back. violation of probation and such.once it was as easy as the neighbors fighting and i was drinking outside when i shouldnt have been obviously the police recognised me and violated me. you have to pay for everyday you are in jail, and the medical isnt free but most dont pay the bill. now they take half of whatever money you get in your account if you have outstanding bills.

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Originally Posted by fasterspider

I guess you have never been to the California Dept Of Corrections then because you are talking out the side of your neck.
Since 1997 inmates that have money on their books have to pay for the doctor visits. {Thank you Pete Wilson}
Yes, there is access to books television and games, the sports is a little out there man unless you count excersize.
If you want money on yur books in the CDC system and you do not have family or friends supplying that moneyfrom the outside, you have to get a job that pays for your labor. It does not pay much but, it is money for work rendered.
97% of the people that walk out the prison gate are going back, some maybe for good.
I am one of the 3% that made it and will not be going back to prison because the system worked for me, it made me realize that existence behind the walls sucks ass and there had to be a better way and I have been out of prison since 1999 and off of parole since January 19th 2000.
The reason I am in that 3% is because I am also in the 3% of drug addicts that have made it. If one does not drink and do drugs, chances are he will not be going to prison anytime soon. 90% of the inmates in the CDC prison system are in there because of drug related crimes, the other 10% are real criminals that have no chance of ever pulling their head out of their asses and belong in prison.
Does the prison system work? In a way yes and in a way no. It works for storing those criminals off of our streets but does it change the person into a contributing member of society? No, it makes them worse.

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are you stupid dude? born and raised in cali... and at the bottom of all the writing i wrote this is someone elses writting.. come on now read everything before you want to bash someone..

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Originally Posted by slipknotpsycho

nope does the opposite and i'm proof of that...

i went into juvi... with minimal knowledge on drugs... i came out knowing more about drugs then the counselors for the drug units did.... it's also where i heard about a few 'questionable' technically legal 'drugs' from.... if you catch my drift...

all jail really does is teach you to be a better criminal...

the only way one is going to be 'corrected' is if they want to... and that has nothing to do with jail... you can correct yourself while out in the free if you really want to.... it's not a correctional institute (even tho it says it is) it's just a place to fear to keep alot of people outta trouble..

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When i was in Juvy they showed us a video on how coke was made and im thinking WTF?

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Originally Posted by Reefer Rogue

A system can't change a person, only a person can change themselves.

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ITotally agree.

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Originally Posted by Pipe Dreams

American prison and jail systems are a joke. Ive been arrested a few times for various things, and admittedly the first time I was scared as shit. But they send you to a place where everyone else is just like you. You know what to expect outta these mother fuckers in there. Its actually comforting in a wierd way. Anyways, the second and third time I went to jail, it was just a simple cake walk. "Oh whats up homie, you was in here the last time I was, nice seein ya again." The only real "punishment", and I use the term lightly, is not having any freedom. But, free food, no work, homies to hang out with, a bed to sleep in. Really, other than uninvited man love, theres nothing to worry about unless you cross someone you shouldnt have.

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i fucking agree... i mean tomarow after noon i have court... and i almost cant wait to go back to jail to see one of my homies...

and trust me... in the 90 days i was there... i saw about 10 different kids come in and go about 10 different times... plus some other kids serving longer time that came in after i did... so im gonna get to see all of the homies tomarow...

I was a problem child, they sent me to foster care for about two years. The 'foster parent' was a bitch, she took the $300 a head a month (x four) and went to the food bank to get retired milk and bread at no cost, and bought what she had to on the cheap.

I eventually abandoned juvi probation. I already had a car, a license, insurance, a job, and a GED, and was eighteen years old. I said fuck it and just walked away and got my own place. I guess they didn't care, they could have come after me. They knew where I worked.

I still went to jail later, for disorderly (drunk, very very drunk) conduct and later for a DUI. Minor stuff. I saw my first UZI in foster care at seventeen years old, and came into contact with the closest thing we have to gangs in Alaska. The whole system is fucked because it's overloaded and there's not enough kind souls out there to mentor kids and give them a reason not to be criminals.

Pop culture glorifies criminals. The system inadvertedly educates them in criminal behavour. Only thing saving kids these days is strong role models willing to give them that swift kick in the ass when necessary. Some, like myself, need somebody to kick pretty hard, and like myself, are pretty selective about who we'll let it be a lesson from and who we'll just hold it against.

If I went to prison, I'd learn all sorts of successful criminal behavour, absolutely guarenteed, and it's awful hard not to use it when the opportunity arises.

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a clean bong is a sign of a sound mind