Mass Incarceration in the US
Thanks to Visually (http://Visual.ly) for facilitating the creation of this video, to http://youtube.com/kurzgesagt for the animation, and to The Prison Policy Initiative for research help and fact checking. (http://www.prisonpolicy.org).
It wasn't easy to pick this topic, but I believe that America's 40-year policy of mass incarceration is deeply unethical, not very effective, and promotes the security of the few at the expense of the many.
It's hard for me, as a person who was born into privilege, to imagine the challenges convicted criminals face, often for crimes that are utterly non-violent.
If you're feeling like you want to do something about this, I'm mostly just making this video as an informational resource and to encourage people to think of felons not as bad, scary people but just as people.
The people at The Prison Policy Initiative were very helpful in the creation of this video and if you want to learn more about their work and how to get involved go to http://www.prisonpolicy.org
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Sasha
(new)
Apr 05, 2014 06:41AM
very interesting matter to discuss...
reply
|
flag
I've been interested in that issue for awhile. Thank you for the informative video.
While I understand your thoughts on this, I wonder, what of the victim of say rape. S/he is incarcerated for life... it is a sentence that man placed on her. While she may be walking among the "free" she is anything BUT FREE... So while I understand your compassion for the prisoner, I would also like to point out. Five years in the joint for committing a rape/molestation/murder etc doesn't truly seem like a punishment since the victim (or victim's family) is left with a lifetime sentence.
The jump in incarceration occurred due to our increasing sentences for non-violent crime. It is due especially to incarceration for drug-related offenses and for "three-strikes" laws which put lots of people in prison for extended stays for three non-violent felonies. In other words, we can reduce the prison population without reducing sentences for serious violent offenders, including rapists. Frequently the rejoinder to calls for sentencing reform is an argument like Erika's (though not to say you Erika are necessarily aligning with the Nancy Graces). It is important to keep the question of response to serious violent crime and the question of mass incarceration separate as they are distinct problems.
However, many that are repeatedly placed in prison for drug related crimes are engaging in different more violent crimes. All I am asking is consider that "non-violent" felonies or any crime really has a backlash on someone-- consequences to actions something many have lost sight-- I don't appreciate Scott your sideay attempts to align my comment with anyone-- Nancy Grace or otherwise. While a clever way to plant an ideal in the mind of other readers. I wish to say that my opinion on the criminal system are my own. Why after three offenses is a criminal not more harshly punished. If you believe that the Non-violent crime is "not hurting anyone" please look into the hundreds of thousand children that are bought and paid for with the money from those non-violent drug sales, or the several others that are forced to produce the illegal product that is killing thousands of people every day.. It is not as simple as "non-violent" crimes.. EVERY ACTION HAS A REACTION! Tell me a crime that is not truly violent?
Seriously? I attempted to explicitly say that I don't associate you with Nancy Grace and you read that as me trying to associate you with Nancy Grace? Seriously.People like you are why we can't have nice debates.
NO your comment was "though not to say you Erika are necessarily aligning with the Nancy Graces" -- this style of writing is used often in debate. It is a way to form bias. It is a trick politicians and the media have used for a very long time. See you have placed my name along side the "Nancy Graces" which implies that I may and because of my comment most likely agree with her camp. While my views in no way were implying a political camp. You absolutely associated me with Nancy Grace--surely you understand if you take a moment to examine your response. If you would like a better example please see the debate between Bill Nile and Ken Ham. Nile's attempt to state that Ham's opinions were wrong were often stated by Nile, "A reasonable man...". indication that Ham was not a reasonable man. Perhaps you were unaware of your tactic, but that is exactly what occurred.
I also would beg to differ with you and say, that the reason you are unable to have a "nice debate" is that you fail to address the actual question that was posed.
Please name a felony crime that does not have roots in violent crime? Also, provide some information on(cite please) the rate of return of felons which are three time offenders.
While I am not saying lifer-inmates become better people in jail and reform is not needed, it IS. My point is be very careful when you approach a victim of these "non-violent" offenders. To consider that felony crimes are felonies for a reason! SO let's stick to the conversation. I don't really consider this a true debate.
Again your choice of words... "people like me..." what do you mean by that. What kind of people am I? You read my post and all you got was my rebuttal to your comment about alignment to Nancy Grace. Interesting.
