How should prison work?

[MannyGoldstein]

I'm flat on my back in day three of Adventures with Stomach Bugs, so I've got nothing better to do than think deep thoughts. Or, better yet, post polls and have others do the thinking for me.

My general feeling is that our current jails and prisons are an abomination. We inflict awful suffering on people, oftentimes flat-out torture, often because they did something stemming from mental illness, bad fortune, or a moment of stupidity. Prisons should be decent places, perhaps similar to college dorms (but with adequate security, of course).

I have no idea on sentencing length, parole, reintroduction to regular society, and prison records (that deny job opportunities).

Cogent thoughts appreciated.

4 votes, 1 pass | Time left: Unlimited
	Prisoner should suffer the same as the victim
	1 (25%)
	The minimum needed to greatly reduce odds of recidivism
	1 (25%)
	Make sure the convicted doesn't do it again
	0 (0%)
	Serve as a warning to others
	0 (0%)
	Some combination of the above
	1 (25%)
	Other
	1 (25%)
	1 DU member did not wish to select any of the options provided.
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