Monday Moaning: Prison Rocks!

Walt Disney black and white movie.

Monday Moaning:  Prison Rocks

Sure enough the first thought would be, are you nuts. But here 16 inmates have started a process to stay in a prison. They are long timers, if one could call 10 years or longer just, that. But what is so rocking about prison, what is so good about it  they want to stay there in this specific jail?

Before I answer this we have to look back at what history did with convicts. It is only to show how times have changed our way of thinking and how morals and believes have changed. In history stories of torture were normal, a 6 by 6 foot cell for two people. And this is already humane in many cases, even today.

It has been morals and believes that made our justice system. Those who lack any of our standards would b subjected to a punishment. This has changed over the years as prisoners have opted they are human being like you and me. So they should be treated as such. It is a debate that has many answers and maybe none of them s a right one.

But what punishment does a man deserve for robbing another human being from their life and in the process ruining the lives of many others, Friends and family not to mention your own family if there was any contact. It would be unjust to think they would have the same rights as us who live free and work hard to have even a little extra or a little more privileges.

In ancient times prisoners were thrown in front of some lions or have to fight each other to entertain. Other than that they had very few privileges unless they worked hard. We are taking western prisons. If I would speak about for example a Moroccan one would not be so happy, Brazil or Peru is just as bad, But prisoners in old days have fought for more humane accommodations.

With these words said, we might think of prison being a concrete cell of approx. 6 by 8 with metal toilet and sink. And no need to share. That is a modern prison cell these days. No sharing while the room size didn’t change. But it gets better and this is why it rocks. committing a murder and being sentenced for 10 years or longer.

As normal inmates get the boring concrete those murderers maybe get the same size cell, they have benefits. What we could consider privileges now are pretty much a right thanks to our humane thinking and change of a word. Here is what those prisoners are getting and do not want to give up. Skype: Yes they can skype and talk to relatives that way.
Cook: No prison food for them and to tp it f they can grow their own veggies as well.
TV: we are talking 55 channels of entertainment and what not.
Grafts: they can do crafts have a beautiful view to paint. Beautiful as in an open landscape of green and trees and cows.

Now I might be inhumane to think they do not deserve that. But the argument is that we are human beings and have made a rule we al deserve a decent living.
Since when does a murderer deserve a decent live after robbing one and ruining even more. If one is sentenced for 9 years or less, That means empty a register or steal a car would als look like heaven, but one is mistaken there. they can sit in a 6 by 8 concrete cell with view of another concrete wall. Television is a so called privilege and has to be earned. As goes for Internet let alone skype conversations.

It is clear that committing an heavier crime gets you more benefits and more freedom. It does pay to kill and blow up people. In a sense as some of the privileges have become a right.

Has our Moral compass been misdirected altered. That we as a western culture treat our prisoners better than those who work there ass of to even have TV. Some f us have to turn every dime around twice before they can spend it. And here they can smile and have a good life.

I am one who is pretty much saying if one has taken a life one gives up the right of having one. In a way as mentioned above. A concrete cell is more than sufficient, they need to learn to work for privileges. Not be given to them as some kind of humane right.

I think we have to rethink some of our laws and change the justice system to accommodate change and come up with what should and is Humane.

To e we are making some fundamental flaws by simple having different guidelines for short o long term convicts.

Pay up convict!

There is a discussion going on about whether or not we should let prisoners pay for their stay. It does cost the community lots of money, tax payers, but how fair is that. Pros and cons (get it)  in every way we look. But what would be right to do.

Prison cell of Al Capone

I know of the Danish and Germans already asking money from their inmates. You want to use light water and electricity for you television. And this is exactly why we say pay up. If ou want luxury you have to pay for it. Pretty sure we know some countries where being in prison is free but well the accommodation is crap to keep it mildly. SO you want a TV on your room, pay up, I do not need to pay for your continuance as a tax payer. You made a mistake and committed a crime and while you watch TV all day I have to pay for your food and water. You steal form us and now we need to pay you to.

Sure your social security is taken from you. But you can work in that cell of yours. Now the pay is crap believe me. For a Dollar an hour nobody wants to work. But that little luxury they have like a bag of crisps need to be bought from their own money. That is why they such big trading items in jail. They worth money inside.

So it sucks that we as taxpayers have to pay up for their warm housing and electricity. First they steal form our community by robbing a bank or store or even take a life which is priceless in many ways. And on top of that get treated on comfort b us as well so we say pay up. At a proximate of 20 dollars a day with a maximum of 2 years totalling at over 16.000 dollars.

That sound good right. But what if they do not have the money to pay that kind of money. I mean making 20 dollars a week doesn’t ad up unless you are in jail for more than 10 years. And even then you cannot pay for it with that little salary you get. So how does that work. Well they will say, and here is where it gets tricky, it is a loan. You will be in debt with the state. Forever until it is paid in full.

Now this raises one question. What will a bank robber do? Or robber in general  What is a murderer to do when he is released with a debt. Does that invite them to again turn back to crime in order to pay their debt.. I know it s not easy to get a job with a stamp on your forehead saying ex-convict.. How will they pay their debt. It is one that stays with you to the grave.

Clashing thoughts no doubt. So how does it work in Germany and Denmark? Can it really be done this way. Isn’t there a reason why we stopped throwing criminals on islands because they could not take care of themselves. Or because they got more violent due to having to work fro the state.

Ooh well it is one of those idea that seem to work great in theory and sure most people would say ‘pay up’. But what will the side effect be. Will they return to crime faster due to a debt? We will have to wait and see. What would your idea be?

Best wishes
Ranting Crow