Do you think the punishment system in the U.S. works?

That's quite all right. I carry my soapbox with me wherever I go! LOL

That's so true. If you shoot someone who breaks into your home with the intention of robbing you or harming you, you have committed a crime yourself and can get prison time!

They tell us also that if we are robbed, just hand the criminal whatever they want. What that says to me is, "Okay criminals, we're opening all the doors for you so you can get anything you want and not worry about physical harm."

It's insane!

I agree with you 100%. I know that quite a few police officers and prison guards can be bribed by prisoners, or would-be prisoners. I know this because I lived next door to a prison guard and she told me about what happens between the prisoners and some of the guards sometimes. It made her sick as well!

It seems that our government cares more for it's convicts and immigrants than it does about it's own "born in America" folks.

This isn't criminal, officially, but it certainly should be: The immigrants who come to this country can get low-interest loans to start up their own businesses or franchises. They pay no taxes for seven years, at which time they are supposed to pay taxes. BUT, after seven years, they "sell" their business to a relative, who also gets that 'seven years no taxes' offer. They keep this up and never pay taxes! (I also heard this first-hand.)

Our government is so screwed up, I doubt it will ever get fixed. I've often wondered if I shouldn't just commit a big enough crime to get put into prison so I could have all those rights that they have!

I know all about "crooks" in police uniforms! I was raped by a police detective when I was 21 years old! At the time, if I had reported this crime, they would have treated me like I had ASKED for it, thereby being my fault in the first place!

I have a cousin who used to be a police officer (retired). She committed every moving violation there is in the book, and she did this when she was NOT on duty! She'd tell me all kinds of stories, including flooring the gas pedal in her new car to see how fast it would actually go, knowing that, if the police stopped her, they'd let her go because she was 'one of their own.'

I was driving one time on a 35 mph road. A police cruiser flew past me going at least 60. I caught up with him at the next red light! He floored it again once the light turned green and, once again, I caught up with him at the next red light. He was breaking the law. He obviously had no reason to be speeding since he stopped at each red light. I was angry enough to get his car number, go to the district station and report him. Of course, after that I watched myself very carefully because I had a feeling that they would now be looking for any excuse to give me a ticket.

I know it did no good... none at all. Unless it's murder, the police all stick together and cover each other's, umm... derrieres.

Thanks for the link. I'll check it out as soon as I post this.

Awesome link! I just read one on voting facts. I knew most of them already which is why I never vote anymore. It's just a waste of my time. (Also, I'm not going to vote for the 'lesser of two evils'!)

Very good comment! I totally agree with you. I wish there was something we could do. If you know of anything, let me know, okay?

I've often thought the same thing about prisoners. What happened to the old "chain gangs"?

I believe the trouble there is seen in the movie, "Cool Hand Luke". Contractors have to "bribe" the prison wardens in order to be able to get a contract instead of the prison.

Your idea of earning privileges is excellent, also. I did that with my own kids! Why can't officials do that with the prisoners???

I just don't know. I get so angry and feel so frustrated and defenseless at the same time.

I used to live in an area where going to prison was no big deal! I'd hear people talking about just getting out of prison like they were talking about just coming back from a vacation! It was nothing more than a change of address for them.

Oh, I agree with you 1000%!!! Child abusers have to be the WORST criminals out there! They should NEVER get out of prison or, like you say, get the death penalty.

Abused children will have a lifetime of problems unless they get a LOT of therapy, which THEY end up paying for, or their parent(s) if they get help right away. The abusers should be made to pay for it.

Child abusers have "murdered" the child's innocence. In that respect, yes, they should get the death penalty, but only after they have turned over any and all of their assets to the victim.

If punishments in this country were harsher, there would be less crime. Criminals know that their punishment will almost surely NOT be as hideous as their crimes.

Even the death penalty is "kind". They should die according to their crime. "An eye for an eye." Child abusers should be raped, to death (be it from a machine or a HUGE, totally warped human); murderers should be put to death exactly the way they committed the murder, i.e. gun, knife, poison, etc.

Maybe I'm overreacting, but I'm sure I'm not the only one!

I don't think you are overreacting one bit!! I agree with you all the way on everything you have said. There has to be more that think like us out ther. We need to band together & change the laws!!Lori

That sounds like an excellent prison! I would really love to hear that the same things are popping up all over the country!

Many (honest, law-abiding) people in this country cannot afford cable. Why should the prisoners get it? I think that the government should mandate that the cable channel should be an educational or religious channel.

The federal government, as well as the individual State governments, own enough land to build this type of prison in every State. I hope they wise up and take a look at this one in Arizona!

Great information! Thanks so much for sharing it!

It looks like criminal laws need to be corrected and enforced with more efficiency everywhere in the world. In the U.S., if a man admits to a crime and shows proof, he is still given a trial because he must be "proven" innocent or guilty. The process is insane and just eats up our tax dollars.

I do not understand what is happening in the world today. I truly hope it gets better soon, but in my heart I do not see that happening.

Do you think the punishment system in the U.S. works? NO!
I'm fed up with hearing crime stories wherever I turn. I've read that the United States has the highest crime rate of any country in the world. How can this be? because as a society we just don't care about human life.
Don't we have the "mightiest" country in the world? Supposedly
Something is definitely wrong here. Crime is rampant. I've heard stories of drunk drivers killing innocent victims, and they had 4 or 5, sometimes more than 10, prior arrests for drunk driving!!! Why do they still have a driver's license??? Because their lawyers know how to get them off and simply on probation without serving jail time.
Some convicted murderers get the death sentence or life in prison, while others get a sentence of 18 months (and this wasn't self-defense or manslaughter). How is this possible? Why are you found guilty at the end of the trial and have to come back a month or two later to get your 'sentance'? Didn't work like that in the Old West. Found guilty on Friday, hung at sunrise Saturday morning!
Look at the penal systems for "white collar" criminals. They are veritable country clubs! Does this bother you? YES!
Does it make you angry? YES! Whether you embezelled, laundried money, did tax evasion or axe murdered your favorite mother-in-law - all should serve in the same type place.
I will say that yes, there are those that are sorry for what they did and they are serving their sentance...others just don't give a damn, because they know that there is nothing on the outside for them. In jail, they just have to worry if they are sleeping with Bubba or Louis!
Any stories like this, or possible solutions, are welcome.