What is the answer to our current prison system? I do not know. What I do know is that it clearly doesn't work. If the intended effect is to punish so that people do not reoffend, the mark has definitely been missed. I also know that I am sickened by our current system, at its inefficiency and inefficacy and at the tax dollars that are wasted. Our current system doesn’t make society better, it makes it worse. How can you improve society by removing a thief or drug user from the streets? Assuming neither committed a physical crime against someone, the former can’t repay anyone while behind bars and the later isn’t going to receive the help they may need (rehab, therapy, etc). The person most likely loses their job, now has a record and won’t be able to get a job and in turn becomes a bigger burden on society. When this person gets out of jail and can’t get a job or can no longer get a job that adequately provides for self and/or family, what are the options then? A never- ending cycle of government assistance? Becoming homeless? Theft to provide basics needs? Illegal activities to provide basic needs? (i.e.: prostitution, drug dealing, etc.) How have we benefited society? We have locked someone up at an exorbitant cost to the tax payer and have accomplished nothing in the process. Yes, perhaps the person should have thought of the consequences of their ”crime’ before committing it, but how can the answer be prison? (Or even probation, which still leaves the person with a record and a number of problems like employment, renting/buying a residence, etc.)
Why are we punishing people for 'crimes' that do not harm another person? (Sure, you could make arguments that drug users harm plenty and take away from the community, but I'm speaking of real, definable crimes here, such as theft of property, assault, etc) Why are we regulating what an adult does to their own body? If a person is addicted to drugs and not just using them recreationally, why are we not treating them as we do someone that has a disease? I firmly believe drug addiction is a disease and locking someone up does nothing, except perhaps, provides a quick, painful and inhumane method of detox. Even with crimes of theft/larceny, what purpose are we serving when we put someone in jail? You can’t issue restitution from behind bars.
I would be interested to know that in the case of serving time for drug use/possession, the further breakdown of crime statistics. For example, how many crimes are committed while someone is actually 'high'? What kind of crimes are these? (Violent assaults, petty theft, etc) The bottom line is, what percentage of crimes are committed as a direct result of drug use? Yes, people steal to feed their habit, but why do we lock people up for theft? Does this provide restitution? No. What it does is take away from someone the opportunity to work, the opportunity to contribute to society and the opportunity to actually pay back the person from whom they stole.
What about lesser crimes? Crimes we put people in county jail for? The system is also overrun with misdemeanor offenders. Why are we devoting so much time and energy for ridiculous things? (For example, a few years ago, I had a bad check that I was unaware of. A deputy came to my home and arrested me, cuffed behind my back, in front of all my neighbors and took be down to the local jail. I was lumped right together with people who committed violent assaults, why? Even after paying off the check, I now have a permanent misdemeanor record for a worthless check, inhibiting my ability to get many jobs. FYI: I am a white, educated female [don't judge by this incoherent post LOL], I really can't imagine what it might be like for say, a black female or hispanic male.)
All prison serves to do (in most cases) is take people away from providing for themselves, for their families, from contributing to society. (No, they weren't contributing to society when they committed their offense.) We teach people to become dependent on the government to take care of them and instill a mistrust and fear of law enforcement agency (I see the hole in this argument too, if you fear le, wouldn't this keep you from committing a future offense?) The prison system is about as effective as the welfare system, both of which benefit the government.
I think I have probably rambled incoherently (and certainly not very eloquently), there are so many sides and complexities to this issue and I do not do them justice. I believe that our government sets itself up as God, judge, jury and executioner that it seeks to be unnecessarily and ridiculously punitive as a power and fear tactic. "I'm the almighty government; I can and will punish you and be involved in every aspect of your life." It's the same reason government invented God; to make people afraid and hope this scares them into submission and obedience. Clearly, it doesn't work.
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