Massive portion of population... JAILED

[Emoni]

I really enjoy clips from this show, but this one really freaked me out a bit. I had heard about this before, but the way this was framed and the extra information given makes me seriously concerned. Honestly, the business aspect of it is quite frightening

Instead of racist ramblings, or religious spam crap, I figured this would be a good topic to get further information on this.

 

[RolandtheHeadless]

I've seen those statistics before, and they are appalling. Not every state has a "three strikes" law, though.

I don't buy the "slave labor" theory as a motivator. I think this situation is caused by two things: a strong American demand for punishment of offenders, arising from a Christian need for condemning the wicked; and our "war on drugs." A great number of those incarcerated are drug offenders.

To make it more interesting, these prisoners get free government-furnished medical care for life -- a right imposed by our courts. We are very stingy about paying for rehabilitation, but have to pay for their medical care. Thus, we grant our criminals a right we deny our law-abiding citizens.

 

[Emoni]

A "Christian need to condemn the wicked?" That's a bit of a stretch even by my standards in not favoring religion. If anything, you always hear people saying that they will "forgive" and then convert to religion in prison in such, so I don't think any of this is connected.

I do agree that more is needed on the "slave labor" sort of statement to support it.

 

[RolandtheHeadless]

The US still has a strong streak of Puritanism in many places.

 

[Emoni]

Yes, I agree, but that seems to be a rather loose connection to a massive country wide prison system of this scale.

 

[Tsuyoiko]

I don't think the slave labour comment was a serious allegation. I think the point was more to say that it's an issue that needs investigation.