Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Mark Ciavarella Jr, a 61-year old former judge in Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to nearly 30 years in prison for literally selling young juveniles for cash. One the kids he sent to prison, a high school honor student, committed suicide. <a href="http://www.inquisitr.com/650905/judge-sentenced-to-28-years-in-cash-for-kids-scandal/" target="_blank">http://www.inquisitr.com/65090...scandal/</a>
Originally Posted By ecdc This guy is appalling. But make no mistake, take away even a hint of scandal and privatized prisons are still a disaster. I'd argue, in fact, that they are one of the most toxic things we will confront as a nation. The entire concept of for-profit prisons runs contrary to the very nature and purpose of a civilized culture. The idea is to cultivate a society where as few people as possible need to be incarcerated. Privatized prisons operate with the need to criminalize as much behavior as possible in order to maximize profits. There is zero incentive to rehabilitate, zero incentive to produce contributing members of society who won't recidivate. There is 100% incentive to incarcerate as many people for as long as possible. Couple for-profit prison lobbyists with privileged Congressman already suspicious of lower-class Americans and a public always hankering for people to "get tough on crime," and you've got a genuine disaster. See also, "The House I Live In." https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/the-house-i-live-in/id587720531
Originally Posted By WilliamK99 I fully agree that privatized prisons are a mistake, just like IMO privatizing our security forces overseas is a mistake, such as the organizations the Army used in Iraq. I remember thinking while deployed that these guys were far too agressive in their lobbying and in their employee tactics , but of course they would be because they would be out of the job if the country was at peace... Same thing with prisons, as long as they make more money when people are in jail, they will continue to push and lobby for stricter punishments...I
Originally Posted By Tikiduck So I wonder if there will be a review of the cases he was involved in, with possible releases and (hopefully) huge cash settlements. But then again, no, not if the companies will lose money. Yet another example of the corporate system slowly spreading it's tentacles. Meanwhile, John Q Dipdumb American hasn't the slightest idea that prisons have become a profitable industry. This really is hideous.
Originally Posted By TomSawyer "The entire concept of for-profit prisons runs contrary to the very nature and purpose of a civilized culture." Yep. Same with hospitals, essential utilities like water and power, and primary schools.
Originally Posted By dagobert The US have privatized prisons? I didn't know that, actully I didn't know that was even possible. Over here that would be against our constitution, because that's a fundamental service that only the government has to provide.
Originally Posted By dagobert The US have privatized prisons? I didn't know that, actully I didn't know that was even possible. Over here that would be against our constitution, because that's a fundamental service that only the government has to provide.
Originally Posted By dshyates Yes, the U. S. has privatized prisons. And what is even worse is that many of the politicians that are responsible for creating laws are heavily invested in the system, and profit from incarcerating people. People like Dick Cheney and Jan Brewer.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 Dagobert, not ALL prisons in the US are private. There are still many state and federal prisons. But it's a worrying trend. As many have pointed out, if there's a profit incentive to incarcerate people... well, I think anyone with a brain can fill in the rest of that sentence.
