Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

Because politicians like to appear "tough on crime". Because prisons make money when we lock up drug addicts. And because Americans are somewhat punitive in nature.

We should be putting money into helping people rehabilitate. Help them kick their habit, get back on their feet, and get back to being a productive member of society.

Prison doesn't accomplish any of that because, in America, it is build for punishment, not rehabilitation.



Private prisons are illegal in Pennsylvania and have been for awhile. The Pennsylvania AG even sent intervened to stop an illegal private prison construction in the 1990s: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pennsylvania-attorne....


> And because Americans are somewhat punitive in nature.

Yes. Very much so. And at what stage does the word 'punitive' turn into it's next level of synonym: 'sadistic'?




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: