Proposed changes to the prison system

I think my opponent and I tend to agree on many things related to prison reform."I will need a more complete explanation of what he means by "absolute justice" in his opening."Absolute Justice:"And whereas justice implies a relation to persons as well as to things, and a just distribution, as I have already said in the Ethics, implies the same ratio between the persons and between the things, they agree about the equality of the things, but dispute about the equality of the persons, chiefly for the reason which I have just given- because they are bad judges in their own affairs; and secondly, because both the parties to the argument are speaking of a limited and partial justice, but imagine themselves to be speaking of absolute justice[1]."[1]http://classics.mit.edu...1.Capital Punishment Query:"I would add killing a peace officer, and treason to the list of offenses where capital punishment becomes the first choice."What is a peace officer? A citizen on patrol or a UN officer? Could you please explain.2. Violent offenders "I disagree with maiming, as it may take the offender out of the work force, or into a desperate financial situation where they become a further burden on society." I should of been more specific about the maiming process. If someone steals, I would reccommend removing their thumbs. Thumbs are required for the most insignificant of tasks from opening doors to writing. A person would not become a burden on society by removing their thumbs. Tasks done by that person would become more difficult. "Violence against an elderly person as part of committing a crime needs to be dealt with more harshly than a brawl breaking out in a bar or university drinking event. Violence or weapons use during a home invasion should automatically increase the punishments handed down by the judge." I can't say I disagree with the sentiment. Are you saying that violence against an elderly person should be dealt with more harshly because of their frailty?3. Drug related offenses"As a general rule I would want "victimless crime" like drug use and prostitution to be met with rehabilitation and social programs. Those who use drugs or violence to influence people into prostitution are not committing victimless crimes. If death results from drug use, I believe the seller should be responsible for a capital offense." I was referring to drug users when I was talking about drug related offenses. I wasn't referring to the traffickers of drugs. Drug traffickers should be dealt with as non-violent offenders unless they commit an act of violence. In terms of rehabilitation and prostitution, who is being rehabilitated, the "John" soliciting the service or the prostitute? 4. Non violent offenders"Goals of a correction system should include social control, punishment and rehabilitation of offenders, restitution for those affected and helping strengthen society as a whole. This is why we use fines (punishment and restitution), jail time (rehabilitation and keeping dangerous people out of the public) and "volunteer service" as some of our tools in the tool box." I disagree, to allow the correction system to continue as is allows criminals to strengthen their criminal skills. The correction system has been proven to be the criminals version of college. You go there to get more experienced then you previously were[2]. The current correction system has failed in terms of the "correcting" aspects. The correction system does not "correct" and has failed in many places in the modern world[3][4]. For this debate, we should avoid discussing the Scandanavian prison system since those societies lack violent criminals. [2]http://www.houstonchronicle.com... [3]www.gale.cengage.com/pdf/samples/SP_9780737744606.pdf [4]http://usatoday30.usatoday.com... 5. Work as punishment."Many offenders lack a work ethic, work skills and people skills. If low risk offenders were able to reduce their sentence by participating in work programs, it might give them work skills and improve their people skills." I disagree strongly, offenders should be put into work programs to improve their skills? Yet we would not offer such programs to people who have never committed a crime.Criminals should not receive such offers because they have broken the laws which govern us all. They should not recieve benefits for it. It is one thing where we give them free housing, free clothing, and free food. While at the same time we would not offer such benefits to the homeless, many of whom have never committed a crime.6.Mental illness"The first professional contact with people having a mental health break is often the police. Many in our prison systems have mental health problems. Substance abuse is closely linked with mental health. Most prisoners have substance abuse issues. " Are you referring to someone who suffers from a disorder as described by the DSM IV? Or do you mean people who use drugs?7.Release Location"Many offenders have more trouble with the complexity of city life, and with the option of a transient lifestyle that city life allows. Parole (early release with conditions) should allow very few to be released into cities. Work release to rural or semi-rural areas might give released offenders a better chance at avoiding the things that led to their crime." This is a restriction that is probably untenable for economic and social reasons. People released from prison need jobs. It is cities which offer the most jobs. To limit the people on parole and people who have served their time to rural areas would limit their capacity to find a job. I would also be concerned about seperating people from their loved ones. To isolate them from their family and friends may cause some of them to engage in a life of crime again.8.Monitoring."All early release offenders should be given a brightly colored cell phone that they are required to carry with them at all times." I agree.9. Repeat offense"I suggest that options for early release be made more difficult for repeat offenders." I disagree because taxpayers would have to subsidize them for the rest of their life. The crime they committed will be worth far less compared to the amount of money we will use to subsidize them for the rest of their lives. There needs to be a serious reduction in prison spending. Most prisoners are not worth the amount of money we spend on them. 10.Sentencing lengths"I am in favor of much higher term lengths of sentencing. The average sentence length is around 5 years,[1] but only a portion of that is currently served because of early release for decent behavior while in prison." See 9.11.Prisons"Prisoners should be equipped with ankle bracelets that allow remote monitoring." This is already done for many non-violent criminals in the United States and United Kingdom.