That’s one of craziest things about USA for me. They fought a war with million casualties to end slavery and in the end, when politicians sat down to decide what to do after they won someone went “but do we really want end all slavery?”.
And turns out no, they didn’t actually want to end all slavery. Some slavery was ok even with the north.
Kinda, but the US constitution amendment abolishing slavery has a side note saying “except when incarcerated” which caused mass incarceration of black people for bullshit reasons to continue slavery. And to this day there are states where incarcerated people are forced to work without pay or risk punishment when they refuse, in a form which is considered torture by the UN and human rights watch.
So I get it that people feel slaves of society, but I’m talking about actual slavery.
I do think they should have some kind of purpose in life. No one does well just sitting idly in a room.
90% of them will be out on the street again. It’s our choice whether they come out completely broken and vengeful or maybe partially humanized.
If they all were criminals who were convicted with a fair trial, yeah maybe, if they have a choice to work or not. But they still should get some compensation for their work. Just keep them outside of society. But many are not criminals. Many are forced into it, by life. Or wrongfully convicted.
Next to that, I believe re-education and reintegration in society should be centered during incarceration, instead of punishment. Look at Norway, 15% of inmates return back into prison while in the US it’s 85%.
But the judiciary system in the US is fucked up and corrupt. It’s racist and the whole jury system works on charms and not on facts. When charisma needs to be a part of the skillset of your lawyer and punishments for colored people are more harsh, there’s something seriously fucked up. And I’m not even talking about the chance of getting arrested when you’re colored. Because that’s also extremily fucked up.
In the US? It’s not about prisoner rehabilitation and never has been.
Incarcerated workers are under the complete control of their employers, and they have been stripped of even the most minimal protections against labor exploitation and abuse.
I agree that prisoners should be kept active, given opportunities to develop skills, and that setting them up for continued employment after incarceration is a good idea too, but there are better ways than what we’re doing right now.
There’s still slavery in the US, as it is still allowed when incarcerated. No one fights back.
That’s one of craziest things about USA for me. They fought a war with million casualties to end slavery and in the end, when politicians sat down to decide what to do after they won someone went “but do we really want end all slavery?”.
And turns out no, they didn’t actually want to end all slavery. Some slavery was ok even with the north.
Slavery never ended. It was deregulated and rebranded away from public eye.
It wasn’t though. Slavery is still literally in the constitution. They just added a condition to it: incarceration.
excellent point
Aren’t most of us wage slaves?
Kinda, but the US constitution amendment abolishing slavery has a side note saying “except when incarcerated” which caused mass incarceration of black people for bullshit reasons to continue slavery. And to this day there are states where incarcerated people are forced to work without pay or risk punishment when they refuse, in a form which is considered torture by the UN and human rights watch.
So I get it that people feel slaves of society, but I’m talking about actual slavery.
Fair point. Thank you for taking the time to explain
I do think they should have some kind of purpose in life. No one does well just sitting idly in a room. 90% of them will be out on the street again. It’s our choice whether they come out completely broken and vengeful or maybe partially humanized.
If they all were criminals who were convicted with a fair trial, yeah maybe, if they have a choice to work or not. But they still should get some compensation for their work. Just keep them outside of society. But many are not criminals. Many are forced into it, by life. Or wrongfully convicted.
Next to that, I believe re-education and reintegration in society should be centered during incarceration, instead of punishment. Look at Norway, 15% of inmates return back into prison while in the US it’s 85%.
But the judiciary system in the US is fucked up and corrupt. It’s racist and the whole jury system works on charms and not on facts. When charisma needs to be a part of the skillset of your lawyer and punishments for colored people are more harsh, there’s something seriously fucked up. And I’m not even talking about the chance of getting arrested when you’re colored. Because that’s also extremily fucked up.
A purpose they can choose willingly, yes. Not forced labour so that government and/or private prisons can squeeze some revenue out of them.
In the US? It’s not about prisoner rehabilitation and never has been.
I agree that prisoners should be kept active, given opportunities to develop skills, and that setting them up for continued employment after incarceration is a good idea too, but there are better ways than what we’re doing right now.