Proposal to Save Tax Dollars by Releasing Prisoners
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In sociological text books, there are discussions and community comparisons about how cultures can save money by increasing education and preventing crime. Housing citizens in prisons is a costly social protection. There are arguments that the costs of prevention means a saving over maintaining a multitude of prisons.
Politicians have taken this preventative / saving notion and presented it with a slight variation:
“PROVIDENCE (AP) — Lawmakers from California to Kentucky are trying to save money with a drastic and potentially dangerous budget-cutting proposal: releasing tens of thousands of convicts from prison, including drug addicts, thieves and even violent criminals.
Officials acknowledge that the idea carries risks, but they say they have no choice because of huge budget gaps brought on by the slumping economy.”
link: Millions saved if inmates freed
The social risks would be astronomical. - Perhaps these lawmakers would consider a gradual community release program. There could be gradual release / community work programs established in Baghdad, Iraq. Assistance is required in reconstruction and road works projects. It would be a way for these prisoners to make a social contribution. Of course, extended stays would be encouraged.
Catherine Forsythe
Director of Operations
FlyingHamster
3 Comments
McKenzie
April 4th, 2008
at 2:38pm
Well this is sure to piss off all the paranoid evangelical born-again Christian fans of law enforcement out there (a.k.a. idiots out-of-touch with reality) but this proposal really makes a lot of sense IF the criminals being released are those incarcerated for petty narcotics charges and/or other non-violent, non-invasive reasons (shouldn’t be there in the first place if not for “see above.”) Then we can reserve the prison space that’s left over for those that truly need to be in jail (other than our politicians whom we never seem to lock up anyway but should or at least deport to Iraq.) So go ahead & flame me all you like because we all know you’re the kind of assholes this country could also really do well without. Peace out.
Peter Comfort
April 5th, 2008
at 6:49am
Are the proposers of this insane idea really serious? If so - it will not be long before they realise they can save even more money by closing down the Police and legal system that puts them there in the first place!
Steve Higgins
April 8th, 2008
at 3:12pm
I would recommend we all ignore attention-seeking individuals such as McKenzie. I find this user’s argument to be less about the subject and more about anonymously insulting others and stirring up strife. It is individuals like McKenzie who do more to shut people up and make dialogue on important issues impossible. Or maybe I’m just an idiot out of touch with reality, and this is the expected way to communicate. You can keep it if it is.