• gAlienLifeform@lemmy.worldOP
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      26 days ago

      I feel like the ultimate goal really should be getting people to a place where they’re not going to commit further crimes and harm their communities again, and I don’t think just trying to punish people into that is effective. More often than not punished people just sink further into their own misery and keep pushing out and hurting others.

      That all being said, I do think the experience of helping a community like this could be a positive one that could actually improve people’s behavior in a lasting way. Minus the coercion and the life threatening conditions, I support volunteering opportunities for prison inmates.

    • BertramDitore@lemm.ee
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      26 days ago

      How about: provide them the resources and opportunities they need to reenter the community as contributing individuals? They are human beings, after all. Many of whom likely didn’t get a fair shake in our unequal and exploitative criminal justice system. You could end up in their position through no fault of your own, so a little bit of empathy would go a long way.

      • Skyrmir@lemmy.world
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        26 days ago

        What makes you think I haven’t been in their position? Most of the guys in there, deserve to be there. The ones on labor detail aren’t just being worked, they’re earning good time, and learning to earn trust.

        • BertramDitore@lemm.ee
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          26 days ago

          You’re right, I shouldn’t have made that assumption. But I take issue with your assertion that most people in prison deserve to be there. I think it’s completely the opposite, most people who end up in prison should have been given another chance in society or should be in proper rehabilitation programs, where they are cared for as human beings who made a mistake. I’m not talking about violent murderers (who tend to have some of the lowest recidivism rates btw, because they regret their actions more often than not). I’m sure there are some prisoners who benefit from work-release programs like this, but on their face they are mostly exploitative slave labor.