Transcription
VOTE: to fix it
For millennia society has used prisons, loss of voting rights, and all sorts of corrections to punish miscreants into functioning members of society. This mind-set has carried into the 21st century with recidivism rates as high as 70%; more than a clue it is not working.
Albert Einstein offered "Insanity is doing the same thing over again expecting different results." Maybe, it's time for a compos mentis approach to bring those whom have broken society's covenant into productive citizens, since corrections (punishment) obviously isn't the cure.
Merriam-Webster defines "Rehabilitation" in the penal sense as "Teaching." In the age-old carrot-and-stick philosophy, the carrot proves more reliable to move a beast, but the stick (corrections) is easier.
Society demands behavioral results, but also wants to use the "stick." Welcome back to society, but you can not vote, you must wear the Scarlet Letter of "Felon" and here's a book of societal restriction upon you. One might say "A recipe for rebellion, and/or failure."
For true success CORRECTIONAL sticks have to be placed on the back burner for recalcitrant prisoners and REHABILITATIONAL carrots brought forward. Restore the Right To Vote concurrent with legitimate studies in social contract. Teach dissenters the power of their vote, social networking skills, and social-mindedness; the tools to being a productive member of society, rather than a pariah.
This pro-social education will instill the intuitive rewards of being a constructive citizen of society; however, without the Right To Vote Einstein will be proven correct.
Robert H. Outman
Prisoner P-79939
23 May 2024
HTTP://betweenthebars.org/blogs/895/
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Replies (4)
You speak the truth, sir. Unfortunately, it needs to be said, but is rarely heard by others. I hope, for your benefit and the benefit of the entire convict population, that it will be heard.
Re-education is certainly an important part of avoiding a relapse of the mistake made. As we read in your post, re-education is much more expensive and onerous than punishment alone, but it is the only one that can integrate people into society as citizens.
I am 58, single, Catholic and I live in Italy. If you like it you can write to me through the "between the bars" site, I will try to answer you as soon as possible.
Since I am Italian I don't know if my English is perfectly understandable.
I send you my best regards.
Alberto