Ask Your Question today
It doesn't make any sense to me that escape or trying to escape should be a crime in and of itself. What is the logic in that?
But it's not though. You're saying that that law is a deterrent, that it's the main thing stopping inmates from escaping. I disagree.
First, it can't possibly be a deterrent for those sentenced to death or life imprisonment because obviously a longer or worse sentence than death or life is not even possible.
Very long term inmates are probably not deterred much by an added sentence for escape either. Jail inmates (those awaiting trial) in for a horrendous crime are most likely not deterred either, they are not likely to lose much if they try to escape.
So that leaves us with shorter term inmates, who most likely want to serve their time as quickly and comfortably as possible. While escape itself would not be a crime, damaging property and committing crimes in the act of escaping are still punishable. Internal discipline is still applicable, privileges will be taken, good behavior time is taken away and living conditions could be changed for the worse. Escape being legal doesn't = worth it to try.
I do not think it's a crime in and of itself and I disagree with adding time to a sentence for it.
"You're saying that that law is a deterrent, that it's the main thing stopping inmates from escaping."
That's not what I said at all.
I'm not going to argue this with you, as you've clearly already made up you mind about this matter and are closed off to any other opinions.
You said it would encourage more escapes. That's different words but it essentially means you think it being illegal is a strong deterrent. If you mean something else by that then please explain.
I'm not closed off. I would LOVE to hear you explain your view, that's why I asked. I'm not arguing with you or anyone here, I'm listening to challenges and making points. Your response offered no thoughts or rationalizations as to how you came to that conclusion. I'd like to see you explain it as I explained my side.
Where would be the logic in locking them up in the first place if they could just leave? That would be rewarding a criminal for being sneaky. Not a good plan. Not a good plan at all.
All it would mean is that escape itself wouldn't be a crime, it doesn't nullify their sentence. They'd still be subject to recapture, serving their original sentence and liable for any crime or damages done in the act.
So where is the incentive to not do it again? There are many problems with the prison system, really don't want to add to it.
Do you really think it being illegal is a deterrent?
Do you think adding on to a sentence for escape itself is a good thing? What problem does it solve? If you believe the prison system is awful (I agree) why add years to sentences for escape?
Ask yourself. Is escape really a crime? Is it morally reprehensible? Sure, things you do TO escape are often crimes. But is escape itself?
Because they are not to be trusted.
Is escape a crime. Yes, if your punishment is to be incarcerated, then escaping that punishment is a crime.
Yes it's a crime. You aren't considering the added expense and burden of a search. Not to mention the disruption of the local community, and various police agencies recruited to assist in a search. Agencies whose time would would be spent solving other crimes.
I agree. It's a crime they wouldn't even have been able to commit, had they not been imprisoned in the first place. Maybe they should be forced to pay the costs of their recapture, but apart from that, I see your point.
if yallre a prisoner of war its yalls duty to try to escape or at least resist the enemys will and sabotage theys efforts and plans at every opportunity
the special forces even gots a school just for this
I don't see how you could say it shouldn't be a crime. It serves as an open threat to those that have done a crime and don't plan on doing the time. If you escape prison rather than accept the justice dished out against you then you will suffer more time, making it so that it makes criminals less likely to try to escape which put others in danger.
Escape alone is not a crime in my view. Of course damaging property and anything illegal done in the act of escaping are still wrong. It would be impossible to escape without committing crimes and damage in the process. The prison would still hand down internal discipline like taking away privileges earned, and good behavior time which helps inmates get released early.
Your position relies on the law being a deterrent, but is it? It's certainly not for those sentenced to death, life imprisonment or very long terms. Now we're left with shorter term inmates. Would they bother if it means losing privileges and good behavior? Honestly I doubt it. They are more interested in serving their sentence as quickly and as comfortably as possible. Early release is a very common thing with good behavior. Most try to achieve that. I don't see that changing if escape itself was not a crime.
What's a bigger retraction of privilege than extended time of retracted freedom?
I guess if you're in favor of long and harsh sentences that makes sense. I personally am not. Shorter more reasonable sentences to begin with would be great and probably lessen escape as well. As would better living conditions, counseling and more opportunities for education and employment while locked up.
I see your point but then prison would be more like a luxury and not the open threat to criminals that it is now.
I do see your point though. I think you're saying that prison should not just be punishment but should also help reform the prisoners in to worthy civilians? I'm on board with that, however it would have to be handled in a way that prison was an open threat to criminals, keeps the criminals away from the public, and helped reform them. It would be tricky.
I think both of our views here are important and that prison would be ideal with our views on it connected if that makes sense.
Here's the thing. Even if you're afforded many luxuries, it's the control that gets to you. You could be put up in a fancy penthouse suite but if someone is controlling when you leave, where you go and what/when you eat it becomes a problem. What we tend to do to prisoners is dehumanize them entirely and force them into subhuman conditions and it's no wonder they leave worse than they came in. For many of these people, prison is the first chance they get at stability and it may be their first or only chance at education and help but we throw it away to be tough on crime and stuff. We put them away for years treating them like garbage and expect them to emerge as better people?
I think punishment should be swift and jarring but short. The longer that a punishment goes on the less effective it becomes. It just becomes 'life' as you know it. Think when your mom took away your phone. The first few days is agony but after that you have adapted somewhat and it's not so bad. You miss it but you deal. After a month you practically forgot what life is like with a phone because you've acclimated. Same for any punishment. It has an effective limit. That's why punishment needs to be swift and short and evolving. I think ample opportunities for education, work and counseling need to be provided. The general public needs to be more accepting of ex cons. A large part of their success relies on being accepted after release and too many people are judgemental of ex criminals even though that's very harmful.
Short, swift punishment. Treated like a human. Offered ample opportunity. That's what we need. Some people need to be locked away for a long time but most do not. I'm fine with giving them help even if I struggle. They have it worse than me and need help more than I do.
Well in some countries it's not punishable by law if you escape prison without breaking any other laws or destroy any property, as it is realized that it's basic human nature to want to be free.
Can't you just wait until you serve your full prison sentence? You did the crime - now you do the time.
I know you've tried to escape before and it didn't work. So try again. (tunnelling is good)
If you can escape before that time, then good luck to you. You're lucky they at least give you internet access to IIN.
The OP has a very sound logic. Seriously.
However, as other posters remarked, it would create problems for the law enforcement agencies.