Do Prisoners have rights and why?

Utah Gidget

They have rights but rights differs very much from wants. They have the right to stay safe in jail but I don't think they have the right to ask for more things to make them comfortable. They have the right to health, so if there is a serious draft that should be addressed. But yes, as you said, it is a punishment and they should view it as such. Unfortunately our penal system has many flaws.

Sossage

Prison is not easy, in fact they are probably the least pleasant places in the country, which they should not be. Prisons should be to keep society safe and reform criminals, not to get some sort of vengance for crimes committed.

Snowman'sGal

Unfortunately the days of chain gangs and slop for supper is over, thanks to bleeding heart liberals who, if they care so much for the prisoners, should take them home and provide for them.

Not very PC of me...but screw it.

Oh, and BeachBum, come off the sand and check out some local prison...the TV is in their cell. Local jails may not have luxuries, but those doing hard time have a butt load of privilages.

MW-Cop

In the United States, prisoners do have rights guaranteed by the Constitution, and there's a simple reason for it: perceived abuses of prisoners by the Crown in pre-revolutionary America.

The existing system was initially designed to protect prisoners from abuse by their captors, and is an effort to make the punishment fit the crime. At some point in the last century or so, the state also began attempting to rehabilitate criminals in order to reintegrate them into society. The system fails on these points in many ways, but this is the best we've been able to manage so far. In short, it's a middle ground that attempts to serve the interests of the public by fitting a mold to all prisoners. There are variations in quality of living for prisoners (look at a Supermax prisons as opposed to a minimum-security prison camp), and I doubt that any inmate in a high-security facility would say that it's a nice place to live.

Also, bear in mind that while inmates are free to complain and sue for better living conditions, the occasions where these suits are actually successful are far fewer than the amount of news coverage they receive would indicate.

Blonde_o2

yes every person has rights

No matter what

nsoobi

no they dont have any rihgt because they are still under detentions

php.dave

Clearly not.

buttermint1

now a days the darn criminal has more rights than the victem

A.M.D.G

Their cells are too drafty? - - - - Ahh didums!

mojomuppet

what do you want us to do with them put them to sleep? the punishment is for them to be taken out of society not to be treated like dogs. obviously you dont have any idea what you are talking about. if you lock a man way and take tv radio and things like that away from him for 10 years. he will not be able to function when he gets out. so now you have a whole new problem. it is already almost impossible for them to get out and never go back now. so before you go getting all uppity know what you are talking about. do you really what them in there going crazy and them out on the street? i think not.

muskeagle

They have the right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment, among others. That right is the basis for most legal challenges to the conditions of confinement. And although three square a day and a roof probably does look good to some people, I imagine that the restraint of personal liberty afforded by the cell block is not easy to get used to.

emmabell22

Couldnt agree more!

michaelnangle2002

they have the Right to remain silent and lately they have given up that right and brag of their crimes to an all too eager media. this gets them notoriety amongst their peers and then they claim their rights to a fair trial is jeopardised by the medias revelations. its a game and they have the controls

piglet

I, too was brought up like you.
Half the time it seems as if prisoners have more rights than free people do and much more of an easy ride than they deserve.

BeachBum

I don't know what prison you are referring to but that's not what I have heard.

I've heard a lot of times they have to sleep on floormats on the cement floors because of overcrowding.

They fight over their 'ready cooked meals' as you put it. Ppl will steal your food.

The TV (note one tv for a large group) are set on a particular channel and no one is allowed to change it.

They are watched while they shower and shyt.

They go outside and are able to look at the sky about once a week.

So, I don't know about you but that doesn't sound to rosey to me.

tonalc1

Yes, because they are human beings.

One of the criterion for parole/release is if the prisoner has been "rehabilitated". How would this even be possible if they just sit in a room staring at four walls for years?

daiunus

Honestly, we should treat them like the dogs they are. Their fundamental rights as humans have been forfeited. Imprisonment is not a form of rehabilitation, granted there are a few exceptional people who are put in prison and learn the error of their ways, but on a whole, this is not the case. It is punishment, plain and simple. They should get food, water and the basics, and that's about it. TV is a privilege, voting is a privilege.. you get my point. I am usually a very liberal person, but when it comes to the villains of society, I see it in a totally different light.

vasag2003

Far Too Many Rights. The Victim Has Nothing. Today's Judicial System!!!

minerva

there has to be reform of the individual or people would have to do life sentences for petty crimes. we are judged by how we treat the worst in our society. we are supposed to be better than the criminal. some people are innocent, some unfortunate and some wicked. there are distinctions in the prison system. Apply to your nearest prison for a visitor pass and go and see what you're talking about. If you don't like the system take a step to change it.

enigma_variation

prisoners are there to rehabilitate so they can some day be returned to society, not to be punished. Punishment leads to resentment which slows the rehabilitation process

trebs

Oh mate - i know what you mean...
We'll have their mothers berating the guards next.

tyrsson58

Inmates have rights, per the US Supreme Court, as well they should. It's not at all about what they deserve, it's about who we are. If we say we're the "good guys", and yet we torture and "treat them like the dogs they are", then we are no better than they are, just stronger.

Also, 95 percent of all inmates currently in prison will be released, so do you want us to try and help them do the right thing, or treat them like dogs? Think about what you want them to do when they get out.

A very wise Correctional Officer said: "Treat a man like a dog, and first chance he gets, he'll bite, or run. Treat him like a man, and you'll get a fair day's work out of him." I've found this to be quite true.

Rory McRandall

All human being should have rights. When you deny them to even the least of people, then you open the door to denying them to all. All that is left is for some fascist leader (hmm, sound like anyone you've seen in power lately) to redefine some other group to deny rights to.

Careful, you are starting down a very slippery slope.

nunyadamn bidness

the can aint like summer camp. imagine going somewhere with no safe place. every step you take could be your last and keeping to yourself is the only way to stay away from a decent majority of ****. they have no rights, and they have no safety. not gonna say people dont deserve tat, but im sick of people saying prison is like a country club. hell, even the food could be considered cruel and unusual punishment.

dukefenton

Yes, but some of their rights are suspended or severely curtailed as part of their punishment. Prison is *supposed* to be unpleasant. Quite frankly, most of the brutality prisoners experience is at the hands of their inmates whose 'rights' have not been sufficiently curtailed.

the inmate

prisoners should not have eney rights due to the fact that if they take a life does that life get to watch sky tv or get to go to the gym or even the right to vote !! i dont think so. So why should they there r in prison for a reson and no matter what that reason is they all should be treated the same and have no rights to a thing.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: