14th Feb 05
Question Time
Liz asked about the practicality of implementing the Japanese community justice approach in the United States. (see blog 15th Oct 04)
I believe that reintegrative shaming, which has been successful in Japan, could be used in America. Statistics indicate that there are less than 100,000 prisoners in Japan versus over 1 million in the US (figures released by the US Dept of Justice 31/12/03, 1,470,045 total prison population) so taking a small fraction of the US prison population out and into community guidance programs would benefit the economy and reduce the taxpayers' burden. Those prisoners could be making a positive contribution to society.
America will continue to suffer rising crime and prison overcrowding until the politicians and legislators decide to address the root causes of crime.(see blog ‘Crime & Punishment) Unfortunately the profiteers continue to successfully lobby for the status quo, and as a result, a justice system designed to protect and benefit the public has been converted into a profit- making scheme.
Thanks for your thoughtful reply Jon. You know, I hope in our old age we'll all be able to look back in horror at the bad old days... like we look back now on the supposedly "natural justice" that lynching was considered to be way back when.
ReplyDeleteAll it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing... ironically while you've been taken out of society you are doing more for your cause than most free men.
Putting two and two together from some of your more recent posts, might I suggest that you keep your (ahem) more intimate areas to yourself while inside.... the collision of sexual frustration and the high infectious disease rate is unfortunate, but that’s one more reason to add to the pile of arguments you might offer to George.....
incidentally,
http://www.britishlivertrust.org.uk/content/home/default.asp has lots of concise info and resources on Hep B and C...
Liz
Hi Jon,
ReplyDeleteWhile I certainly agree with the majority of what you have said about the political situation, I am very wary of idealising past leaders. We must remember that we are far too close to the present to see it in the same way we do the past, and also that the Romans were the original grandmasters of rhetoric. I think that we need leaders with insight, but that it will be hard to tell when they come along... Change is far more intangible on a day to day level than when it is read in history books.
Shaming in Ohio -
ReplyDeletehttp://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=12894209&BRD=1698&PAG=461&dept_id=21849&rfi=8