- Joined
- Sep 30, 2004
- Messages
- 6,997
Esav Benyamin said:I understand Finland has extremely humane prisons. That may be more of the problem than anybody's knives.
in finland (i'm not sure how it is now, but this was the case merely a few years ago), it's part of the heritage for everyone to have a knife. and they don't mess around with folders - the traditional knife is a fixed blade.
[if anyone's been to finland recently and can attest to this, or else say with conviction that i am mistaken, please feel free to do either.]
perhaps humane prisons are an ok idea, when coupled with the gift of more responsibility for the citizens. if society as a whole (or at least the individuals of whom it is comprised) are more capable and willing to stand up for themselves, then crime wouldn't be as big of an issue. as it stands, we are at risk of being perceived as criminals, whether we commit a crime or not, simply because we possess a "weapon" (a tool).
i think that, whether prison is humane or frickin horrible, it's not enough of a deterrent. that needs to come from a more immediate source - the people themselves. if crime is commonly viewed as unacceptable, and there's some risk involved in perpetrating a crime other than an easily avoidable criminal justice system, that will deter potential wrongdoers.
peace.
