[kjackson2012]

I think we should implement an all-solitary-confinement prison system.

We can make the initial prison terms shorter by an order of magnitude (a few days to a few weeks, depending on the nature of the crime). This should be hard enough time to scare most first-time offenders straight.

If you get repeat offenders, start increasing the length of solitary confinement exponentially.

The benefit is that you need less guards, the guards are better protected, less prison gangs because there would be no intermingling of prisoners, and it would protect the prisoners as well. It would help first-time offenders because they will probably get scared straight faster, and they wouldn't be in jail as long. And if you get a really violent criminal, it would be akin to locking them away and throwing away the key.

[tedks]

Why not just bring back the lash? http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/magazine/mayjune_2011/featu...

[tinco]

Thanks, that is actually a very nice article with a refreshing take on the problem. I wonder if there's actually any good arguments against what he is proposing (giving convicts a choice to be lashed to reduce jail time).

[jpatokal]

What he proposes makes a lot of sense if you accept that the purpose of prison is punishment. However, the more successful prison systems of the world focus on rehabilitation, not punishment.

Also, for incorrigible criminals, lengthy prison sentences do serve the purpose of keeping them off the street, while lashing does not.

[tinco]

Well, it's not just punishment lashing is good for. It's also very good as a discouragement of course. He does propose that for serious (violence-involving) crimes there should always be prison for the reasons you mention.

The most succesful prison systems of the world do not have to deal with millions of prisoners in organized gangs fortunately for them.

[eru]

Singapore has caning. Perhaps someone did a study on that?

[tedks]

The best argument is that it's fucking barbaric, and if you need to consider that to reduce the prison population, your society is broken.

[tinco]

That's a closed minded argument.

[tedks]

Don't leave your mind so open your brain falls out.

[greedo]

Moskos is not actually proposing flogging.

[Karunamon]

There is no evidence that suggests increased or harsher sentences serve as a deterrent to crime.

[spacehome]

That's true, but there is strong evidence that while people prone to commit crimes are in jail that are not, simultaneously, outside of prison committing more crimes.

[Thimothy]

You and me didn't read the same article, or the same HN thread.

The guys in the SHU are in one of the highest security prisons and, still, they managed to stir a huge prison strike and (If you believe the article) lead a criminal empire that extends its influence far from the prisons.

So, point me to that "strong" evidence, and make it peer reviewed, if possible.