JUST PHILOSOPHISING - ON THE INEFFICACY OF IMPRISONMENT, IN GENERAL! PART 2.

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However, except for the 'sense of justice', the 'revengeful satisfaction' which it conveys onto the victim or the family and friends, on the interested Joe Public.

What benefit does incarcerating non-violent and low risk offenders in prison for many years serves?

Is it now time for 'civilised' societies, in the 21st Century, to find more efficacious and beneficial methods of punishing and seeking retribution from those who have been caught and punished for contravening criminal laws?

The least any civilised society or country could do, regarding the unfortunate people, as well as those who really need to be incarcerated because of  the enormity of their offences.

And/or the continuing danger they pose to the safety of others.  Is to declare an annual or 6 monthly amnesty to rid their prisons of all those inmates convicted of non-violent offences.

And those who had committed such offences, but are deemed not to constitute any of any serious risk to the safety of members of the public.

If necessary, some or all of them could be made to make some alternative recompense, such as financial fine or compensation, or community order.

The principle and practice of incarcerating humans behind iron bars, steel doors and concrete walls. 

Are, by their very nature, not just inhumane, but, also inefficient and ineffective way of dealing with societal wrong-doings. 

Acts which should only be used to constrain the most dangerous persons from doing further harm to members of the public. 

Yes, it is annoying, distressing, costly, and sometimes traumatic to have to deal with people who consistently break the law. 

People who habitually make the lives of other people miserable. People who have become the kind of nuisance which lead us to utter the words - 'they should put them behind bars and throw the keys away.' 

But, arguably, only in the minority of cases should the principle and practice of 'punishment', be the primary consideration, due to the perceived and actual enormity of the offence. 

 To be continued.



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