[sokoloff]

In the case of non-violent crimes for drug possession and distribution, I entirely agree with your second paragraph.

In the case of armed robbery with accompanying multiple murders, I'm much more concerned for the victims than the perpetrators (beyond taking steps as needed to ensure they won’t do it again in free society).

[hluska]

I agree completely - some people deserve cages. My Dad was a police officer and one of his good friends was heavily involved in Victim Services - I grew up hearing about the need for reform in that area and am in complete agreement with you.

It gets tough when you look at entire systems. On one hand, you've got some brave dedicated people who work with asshole criminals. We need a carrot of freedom and parole to keep those people somewhat safe. On the other, if prisons make people worse, that carrot of freedom is dangerous to everyone else. When I look at recidivism rates, I don't think that North American prisons make people better so what the heck do we do??

[saagarjha]

Fix North American prisons?

[hluska]

That's the best/most obvious solution but at this point, things are so messed up and have been so messed up that that's practically a 'rent bulldozers and start over' situation. I'd give my right arm if we did that, but honestly, I feel pretty safe knowing my right arm will stay intact with that bet.

I know that sounds cynical but in the last year, the 'shining lights' of my city's youth offender program 'quit' for sexually harassing the young people they were charged with. That's Canada's Young Offender system and that is one heavily scrutinized system. If that kind of evil can hide for a decade in our young offender system, we're passed the point of draining the swamp and need to bring in heavy earth movers.

[kiba]

Fix the system and reduce the number of people in exercise. Then fix factors in society that leads people to jail.

Preferably doing all the above at the same time.