Jail is for...

[Roses Ablaze]

Personally, I think it should be for keeping people safe from criminals. It doesn't do anything to reform people and as for punishment...I don't know, there might be some problems with that one. Sorry for not putting up a better intro, but I have to get to class.

 

[ChaosRocket]

It *should* be for reforming people, but it's not. I guess it's for keeping other people safe for the period of time during which the criminal is in jail, but not once the criminal gets out. Probably the main purpose of jail is actually as a deterrent.

 

[evkl]

Jail is all three; it is punishment for an action, but I don't believe it should punish beyond the point of reform except when society is in constant danger. For instance, sociopaths who commit violent acts should be incarcerated for life; that's a matter of public safety, and the consensus is that sociopaths cannot be reformed or ever changed. But for people who can be reformed--drug addicts--certainly, prison is a punishment, but its greater purpose is to ensure that they do not land themselves in jail again.

 

[Zeta]

Anal rape, if you ask most people.

 

[Fig]

Putting people in prison for taking drugs isn't "punishment" or "reforming" or "keeping others safe".

It's "pleasing the puritan morons at the expanse of people who needs help, not punishment".

 

[Mozz]

already covered this topic

closing