Quote:
Originally Posted by Balbus
Prison is a punishment. The only people who think it isn't are those who have never been inside one. I have (professionally) frequently. I hated it and was always glad to get out at the end of the day. I only saw the "nicer" parts of the prison when interviewing Defendants, and that was bad enough.
Remember, if you treat people like animals, they will behave like animals (viz. the Strangeways riots).
Prison should (but not always does) work on the basis that there is always hope of redemption. That is what Parole is all about. Not everyone can be redeemed, that is why not everyone gets parole.
Bear in mind too, that the younger you are, the longer time appears. At 20, a 10 year sentence is half your life so far, and arguably a greater punishment than it would be for an old lag.
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Wise words, Balbus, and good to hear from one at the sharp end, as it were.
I have been to a number of prisons, only as a visitor, not in any professional capacity, and they are not nice places.The point about time seeming longer if you are young is valid. The person that I and my partner visited ended up hanging himself because he thought he would never get out.
Another thing that is sometimes forgotten is that the prisoner is not the only one who is punished - families have to cope with the effects of a sentence too.