Re:The Caging of America
by potatolicious on Sunday March 11, 2012 @11:36PM
(#3692243)
Yet, there are many examples of making prisons more humane having a positive impact on recidivism.
And conversely, there is plenty of evidence that severity of punishment does not have a significant impact on crime rates.
The simple "heavier punishment -> less crime" appeals only to simplistic logic, but in general is not observed in reality, either in the US or abroad.
The odd thing about many people in the "deterrence" crowd is that so many don't seem to actually be concerned about lowering crime rates, and are concerned moreso with exacting their pound of flesh for the injustice committed by criminals.
And conversely, there is plenty of evidence that severity of punishment does not have a significant impact on crime rates.
The simple "heavier punishment -> less crime" appeals only to simplistic logic, but in general is not observed in reality, either in the US or abroad.
The odd thing about many people in the "deterrence" crowd is that so many don't seem to actually be concerned about lowering crime rates, and are concerned moreso with exacting their pound of flesh for the injustice committed by criminals.