What about all the money it costs to keep someone detained? (Iraq, drugs)
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I think the US imprisons more people than any other country on earth, on a per capita basis, and for stupid things. I work in social services. I have this kid who is costing the state $400 a day. She blows if off and doesn't take advantage of the services. These are my tax dollars at work.
Now, if push comes to shove, I am in favor of rehabilitation over the war in Iraq. But sometimes I wonder why tax dollars are allocated to this...just musing...
At any rate, I'm a liberal, but I gotta wonder sometimes. It's easy to be liberal when one isn't in the thick of it... or when one doesn't realize just how much it's costing. But then it's hard to be conservative and just lock people away, when one realizes how much it is costing. Where is the solution in all of this? I say, decriminalize drugs and let the chips fall where they may.
Why are all these kids so careless with drugs? How do they get caught so easily?
Say what you want about "suburban teen" drug use, but they aren't as stupid when doing their drugs and don't get caught as easily.
Sorry, I was painting a broad brush. What I referenced earlier was a disrespectful teenager put in one of these places. Drugs are not even a big part of the story. So now we are putting kids away for being disrespectful. Riiiight.
Can you say teenager? The SYSTEM is pathologizing these kids!
I'm with you. When I hear people cheering almost every time someone is locked up in jail for even the stupidest offense, I can't help but think, "And I guess you all don't mind paying for his room and board!"
I would love Americans to see a breakdown of the types of criminals who are jailed and how much it costs for us to keep them there. It could be done in every state in the union.
I would love Americans to see a breakdown of the types of criminals who are jailed and how much it costs for us to keep them there. It could be done in every state in the union.
that would indeed be interesting. jailing weed smokers/dealers is particularly stupid and unproductive, imho. save those cells for violent offenders.
that would indeed be interesting. jailing weed smokers/dealers is particularly stupid and unproductive, imho. save those cells for violent offenders.
Yep. Or how about this idea: Along with that itemized statement of the types of criminals who are being jailed, send every taxpayer a bill for their share of the prison costs each year.
I remember a story a few years ago of a guy being charged with drug possession for owning a bufa toad. When upset or frightened, bufa toads "sweat" venom that contains psychedelic chemicals. Some people lick this venom off of them. This guy didn't even know about that and was still charged. Pathetic.
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