Do western countries spend too much money on criminals?

[sweep_shot]

I definitely believe that criminals get way too much facilities/resources in the west. Some of that money should be used to improve infrastructures and do other useful things.

What do you think?

 

[Nostalgic]

Some of the Nordic prisons are so plush, I’m surprised more people aren’t tempted into a full-time career in crime.

 

[IAJ]

Interesting thread. Here in Norway, criminals from around the World get lawyers appointed for them and the govt. spend millions of dollars on them. And the life in prison here is probably better than freedom in many countries?

 

[DeadBall]

Interesting thread. Here in Norway, criminals from around the World get lawyers appointed for them and the govt. spend millions of dollars on them. And the life in prison here is probably better than freedom in many countries?

Because in Norway and some other Western/Nordic countries the emphasis is not on punishment but rather on rehabilitation. That is why Norway has one of the lowest recidivism rates in the world of around 20% while in the US it is almost 70%.

 

[sweep_shot]

Some of the Nordic prisons are so plush, I’m surprised more people aren’t tempted into a full-time career in crime.

Interesting thread. Here in Norway, criminals from around the World get lawyers appointed for them and the govt. spend millions of dollars on them. And the life in prison here is probably better than freedom in many countries?

Exactly!

If you are not giving enough punishments for crimes, some people will probably keep on doing crimes as there is little consequence.

A message needs to be sent that if you commit a crime you are going to pay a very big price. Society shouldn't glamorize crimes and criminals.

Because in Norway and some other Western/Nordic countries the emphasis is not on punishment but rather on rehabilitation. That is why Norway has one of the lowest recidivism rates in the world of around 20% while in the US it is almost 70%.

You can't rehabilitate all criminals. Some are repeat offenders and are clear dangers to society. These folks should be put down in order to 1) save money, and 2) reduce risk in society.

 

[DeadBall]

You can't rehabilitate all criminals. Some are repeat offenders and are clear dangers to society. These folks should be put down in order to 1) save money, and 2) reduce risk in society.

No you can't as it is impossible, but you can certainly bring down the number of repeat offenders through rehabilitation as clearly shown in my above post. However prison is just one of the factors in the system. In America it is a cash cow that's why so many people are incarcerated without access to proper representation and once a person is a part of that system it is very hard to get out.

It is the same in many other countries where first time offenders of very minor offences are incarcerated and they come out much worse when they went in. I know because I was also incarcerated.

We as civilized people should look to understand the various reasons behind various crimes committed as nothing is ever black and white and then try to help, re educate and rehabilitate the person accordingly. Not to mention just start by providing basic human rights in many countries. Not everyone can be rehabilitated and the majority can be.

This eye for an eye mob mentality will get us nowhere and that is why there are much saner, empathetic and more knowledgeable minds that have put such programs in place in their respective countries are reaping the benefits.

 

[sweep_shot]

No you can't as it is impossible, but you can certainly bring down the number of repeat offenders through rehabilitation as clearly shown in my above post. However prison is just one of the factors in the system. In America it is a cash cow that's why so many people are incarcerated without access to proper representation and once a person is a part of that system it is very hard to get out.

It is the same in many other countries where first time offenders of very minor offences are incarcerated and they come out much worse when they went in. I know because I was also incarcerated.

We as civilized people should look to understand the various reasons behind various crimes committed as nothing is ever black and white and then try to help, re educate and rehabilitate the person accordingly. Not to mention just start by providing basic human rights in many countries. Not everyone can be rehabilitated and the majority can be.

This eye for an eye mob mentality will get us nowhere and that is why there are much saner, empathetic and more knowledgeable minds that have put such programs in place in their respective countries are reaping the benefits.

Again, we shouldn't glamorize crimes. Everyone in this world has challenges and that doesn't mean one should resort to crime.

I admit though that some criminals can be rehabilitated and those folks should get all the rights. Rest of the dangerous criminals should be executed just to be safe.

There is simply too much money being wasted on legal fees for dangerous criminals; that money can be used on many useful things.

 

[sweep_shot]

I am an animal lover and I have extreme dislike for pedophiles. I would love to see pedophiles being used as lab rats instead of those poor animals.

As far as I am concerned, convicted pedophiles don't deserve human rights. We should treat them accordingly.

 

[GenericBrand]

There is simply too much money being wasted on legal fees for dangerous criminals; that money can be used on many useful things.

You do realize that death penalty is more expensive than life imprisonment?

 

[sweep_shot]

You do realize that death penalty is more expensive than life imprisonment?

It is expensive because people make things complicated and expensive. Just get ropes and hang them from the trees or something. Even firing squads can do.

 

[from_da_lost_dim3nsion]

2 kinds of systems:
Rehabilitation V Eff you , you deserve it .No points for guessing which system actually prevents re offending ?

 

[GenericBrand]

It is expensive because people make things complicated and expensive. Just get ropes and hang them from the trees or something. Even firing squads can do.

It is expensive because there is something called a Criminal Justice System with laws and proper procedure, this isn't a third world country.

 

[sweep_shot]

It is expensive because there is something called a Criminal Justice System with laws and proper procedure, this isn't a third world country.

Criminal justice system is very important. I fully support laws and procedures. But, overdoing it can cause unnecessary complications and expenses.

For example, let's take a look Quebec mosque shooter. We all know what he did. Incident happened in January 2017. It took over 2 years for a verdict to reach. During those 2 years, there were unnecessary expenses paid by taxpayers.

I am just saying that western justice system isn't exactly cost-effective and we can use that money in something better.

 

[AdamM97]

Some of the Nordic prisons are so plush, I’m surprised more people aren’t tempted into a full-time career in crime.

Lol true. People here in Sweden joke a lot about comitting a crime to live a ”luxurious” life in prison.

 

[KingKhanWC]

You cannot compare the likes of Norway with the UK. Norway has such prisons because they have a low crime rate, more of a civilised society. Try those same prisons in the UK and the numbers would shoot through the roof.

UK has the most number of prisoners in Europe. Jails are riddled with drugs and violence with nearly 50% ending back up prison. A new system needs to be implemented but also the criminal justice system. Peodophiles are given lenient sentences compared to other less serious crimes.

 

[DeadBall]

Criminal justice system is very important. I fully support laws and procedures. But, overdoing it can cause unnecessary complications and expenses.

For example, let's take a look Quebec mosque shooter. We all know what he did. Incident happened in January 2017. It took over 2 years for a verdict to reach. During those 2 years, there were unnecessary expenses paid by taxpayers.

I am just saying that western justice system isn't exactly cost-effective and we can use that money in something better.

As I mentioned earlier we are a civilized society or at least strive to be. We know that the person has killed many innocent people but killing him as revenge does not make us any better. There is a reason why the process is drawn out as there have many cases where the death sentence has been commuted or they have even been found innocent due to various reasons. It is better to let a thousand guilty people live than one innocent person die. It is easy to say, kill this person when you have nothing to do with it but if you had to do it you would think it a hundred times over. (Not sure about you though).

In cases like the Quebec mosque shooter the decision is a just one but it does not mean we should jump to take revenge just because of the actions of a single person. The wheels of justice turn slowly for a reason as they are bound to laws, procedures and practices built over thousand of years and not some instant mob justice.