In my line of work I have encountered many of the criminals that are repeatedly released into society and leave prison with no motivation to stay out of prison.
A few days ago a 2 yr old child was shot and killed by a convicted and released drug dealer while he was attempting to execute someone else.The child was caught in the cross fire. Apparenty the time spent in prison wasn't so bad, this guy clearly wants to go back. As far as I'm concerned, individuals like this have no rights, they forfieted them. Period. Explain to the parents of that baby why their child was killed by an "ex-con"
Perhaps if more prisons were operated like Sheriff Joe's the motivation to stay outside would be greater than the motivation to do it all again.
As for the menatlly ill, that's a relative term. There are many degrees of mental illness and there are many etiologies of mental illness. Is it something that is controlled with medication? If so let's fix the medical care issue in our country, make sure that folks who need medication have access to it. The individuals that don't qualify for assistance (not classified as disabled, still physically able to work age group), often end up living on the streets. Oftentimes, they are the victims of crime, not the perpetrators.
Mental illness can be diagnosed by a clever lawyer who is pushing for an easier sentence for their client...."he was abused/neglected as a child and suffers from depression and bi-polar" or whatever....Sorry about your luck, prison is where they should be. As long as individuals are not held accountable for their actions they will continue to behave as they wish. Let Sheriff Joe have their ass.
Prisoners should not be allowed to sue except under very specific circumstances, frivolous, whinny lawsuits should not ever be filed....."I'm suing, my feelings were hurt, my pink boxers damaged my already fragile ego" ....Blahblahblah
So, don't classify all of the "mentally ill" in the same group.
Most of those in prison diagnosed with a "mental illness" belong in Sheriff Joe's tender loving care.
As a taxpayer this is one time where I am willing to eat the cost if it keeps neighborhoods safer for children to be children without the fear of being shot.
Over the last 15 yrs I have seen enough of man's inhumanity to man to actually believe that bringing back public hangings is not a bad idea. Since that is not likely to happen let's pattern more prisons after Sheriff Joe's.
The prisoners cost us millions anyway, I would rather pay to keep them off the streets.
Thank you Pixie! I needed to vent...I am usually much more liberal but this is one area I simply can't be.