A moral society?
What is justice?
With the parole of Leslie Van Houten, the topic comes up. What is the purpose of incarceration, revenge and retribution, or removal from society, and rehabilitation?
Ask yourself some hard questions. Don't be shy about not knowing the answers. This is a very wicked problem. Yet I urge you not to react, on emotional instinct.
No one is asking for forgiveness of such a hideous crime. But ask instead at what point does incarceration reach diminishing returns.
@corlin
Great question.
Maintaining societal safety/ order is stated intention of incarceration.
I don't believe certain rights of incarcerated should ever be compromised, such as right to safety.
Often hear people associate deserved punishment w how people are treated (ex: rape) in prison. Should enduring a life threatening environment be part of punishment or is punishment separation from society?
Think it's diminishing return when prison transforms an inmate into more dangerous person.
@UmbaSaffire @corlin This thread brought to mind a recent issue in Canada, which you might have heard about, in this case a minor change, not a release, but a move from a maximum security facility to a medium security one. I agree that certain people need to be separated from society; punishment might serve little purpose, if any.
"Families of Paul Bernardo's victims question serial killer's prison transfer"
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/serial-killer-paul-bernardo-transferred-1.6864480
@nealfig @corlin hadn't seen this Neal - thank you for posting it here. Look forward to reading.