Thursday, May 1, 2008
jails in america
After watching 30 days, i really am concerned with the penal system in america. I understand that the three strikes law is in effect and that there are a ton of people in jail who really actually belong to be there, but after watching the show i felt like there was also a large amount of people who belonged somewhere else who could help them recover from drug problems or get over mental issues. But why isnt this problem being addressed? i think the guys name was randy, the crazy one, he really belonged in a mental hospital and travis belonged in rehab. Neither of them belonged in jail. At the same time, jail was the only time that travis was really level headed, he left jail and started using right away and was arrested right after, so maybe jail is kind of a refuge for drug users?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I agree with your idea that the penal system in America is flawed. We as citizens have diluted our focus into merely believing that by spending time in prison the prisoners are converted back into respectable citizens of society. . What we need to do is focus more on the reason that they were sent to jail in the first place and attempt to remediate that.
2 things:
1.there is a strong tendency in America to view the world in terms of right and wrong and moral justice; helping those who have screwed up doesn't feel "just" so we incarcerate them and say "too bad."
2. No politician wants to be considered "easy on crime" So it is very easy for them to pressure officials to lock up more people and then they can easily say "We improved law enforcement." Maybe it is like a school touting it's excellent scores on the ACT, it is something to point to, but does it mean students are learning more? Are happier? Are more prepared for college/ life?
Post a Comment