US Government: Guards may be responsible for half of prison sex assaults

Re:US Government: Guards may be responsible for half of pris... by coldpie on Monday January 27, 2014 @09:21AM (#7130369)

To keep them out of general society. Possibly to put them in a situation where they can be reformed to rejoin society. Setting aside ethics entirely, prisons cost resources and also take human resources out of society. It's in society's best interest to reform a prisoner and release them ASAP, provided the reform works and they are no longer a danger to society.

Obviously there's a lot of vague terms and wiggle room in that paragraph, but there's certainly a purpose to prisons aside from punishment.

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Re:US Government: Guards may be responsible for half of pris... by narag on Monday January 27, 2014 @10:02AM (#7130577)

I agree that keeping criminals out of the streets is the first reason. But also to make an example, so future crimes are prevented. Then, while we're at it, rehabilitation.

Punishment is a barbaric way to look at it. Revenge doesn't mix very well with a legal system. (emotions vs objetive POV)

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