ziggy
Active Member
snipped...
Now, in regards to your disease analogy, I don't particularly agree with it. I think it is difficult to disagree with my statement that there is "something" wrong with people who commit violent crimes. I think that your criticism of the rehabilitation part of the prison system is related to rehabilitation being de-emphasized.
I just think believing you can fix or cure the "something" wrong with the people you speak of is the same delusional thinking that goes into believing that there have been great cures in Western medicine.
We can't cure the common cold and a human being is far more complex. The study of Psychiatry is ever-changing and it is not an exact science. I don't have any faith that the profession can come up with an effective way to rehabilitate the repeat offenders and certainly not dangerous killers. There may be absolutely no way to "cure" or "rehab" a sociopath...then what? Turn them loose? Keep them locked in a mental facility for life? What's the differnce in a lifer at a mental facility and one in prison?
I just don't think "we" can effectively rehabilitate about 90% of the murderers. Drugs are a huge factor and do you realize how many stints in rehab it takes for someone to get clean? It does not typically happen after their first stab at it, or second.
I inclined to believe there are always going to be a certain number or percentage of people who are self destructive despite numerous attempts to save them; and there will be those who are bent on destroying others, regardless of the kindness of people or the brave interventions.
Now with regard to the physical discomfort of a convicted murderer, I don't think I fall within the group that wants them to suffer but I do think they owe their debt to the family of the victim and to society as a whole to forfeit their own life and accept their "repayment" if you will. That means, do the time. I never wanted to see Sam suffer, nor do I want him to have a particularly cushy existence either.