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Federal or State Run Rehab Centers Built like Jails - Would this work?
Posted on 10/26/15 at 2:10 pm
Posted on 10/26/15 at 2:10 pm
So it’s a common and very valid complaint that our country has privatized the prison system and filled it with millions of non-violent drug offenders. These privatized prison systems make huge profits, carry insane lobbying power in Washington, and probably aren’t going to let anything happen to kill their profits.
Why, though, can we not have these same companies build state and federally funded rehab centers (or convert current jails) designed only for non-violent drug offenders? They would be setup essentially like a jail, in that they are mandatory and not fun to be in with cells, etc., but the people in them would be subjected to mandatory counseling, drug education, etc. to help them with their issues. They would have strict rules on violence, in that if you commit acts of violence, you're moved to real jail.
The courts could, instead of laying down massive punishments for these offenses, sentence the folks to mandatory rehab if they plead guilty to smaller misdemeanors. Repeat non-violent drug offenders have a 2nd, even longer stay, and so-on, but never huge felonies on their record. It would cost the same to the tax payer in the short term, BUT potentially far less in the long term. These non-violent people going into regular prisons get institutionalized and their lives ruined by ridiculous felony charges that prevents them from ever getting a good job. This creates a cycle of criminal behavior in this country.
Basically, build rehabs that are similar to jails (or convert current jails into this), but with an entirely concentrated population of non-violent drug offenders with the goal of cleaning everyone up. They would plead guilty to lesser charges to receive this sentence so they don’t have felonies ruin their life.
I'm not talking about smugglers getting caught with a truckload of cocaine or heroin either. Massive distribution of addictive narcotics should not be a rehab worthy punishment, but real jail.
Why hasn't this been done? Would it not work and cost the same in the short term and less in the long term?
Why, though, can we not have these same companies build state and federally funded rehab centers (or convert current jails) designed only for non-violent drug offenders? They would be setup essentially like a jail, in that they are mandatory and not fun to be in with cells, etc., but the people in them would be subjected to mandatory counseling, drug education, etc. to help them with their issues. They would have strict rules on violence, in that if you commit acts of violence, you're moved to real jail.
The courts could, instead of laying down massive punishments for these offenses, sentence the folks to mandatory rehab if they plead guilty to smaller misdemeanors. Repeat non-violent drug offenders have a 2nd, even longer stay, and so-on, but never huge felonies on their record. It would cost the same to the tax payer in the short term, BUT potentially far less in the long term. These non-violent people going into regular prisons get institutionalized and their lives ruined by ridiculous felony charges that prevents them from ever getting a good job. This creates a cycle of criminal behavior in this country.
Basically, build rehabs that are similar to jails (or convert current jails into this), but with an entirely concentrated population of non-violent drug offenders with the goal of cleaning everyone up. They would plead guilty to lesser charges to receive this sentence so they don’t have felonies ruin their life.
I'm not talking about smugglers getting caught with a truckload of cocaine or heroin either. Massive distribution of addictive narcotics should not be a rehab worthy punishment, but real jail.
Why hasn't this been done? Would it not work and cost the same in the short term and less in the long term?
11
Posted on 10/26/15 at 2:12 pm to TheCaterpillar
Sounds good to me. Incorporate more lax visitation with family and work-release programs. Sounds like a good balance.
Profit prisons and non-violent offenders serving 5+ years boggle my brain.
Profit prisons and non-violent offenders serving 5+ years boggle my brain.
Posted on 10/26/15 at 2:12 pm to TheCaterpillar
Didn't read; on weed
Posted on 10/26/15 at 2:13 pm to mikelbr
quote:
Sounds good to me. Incorporate more lax visitation with family and work-release programs. Sounds like a good balance.
Exactly. Focus on getting them better and not ruining their lives.
They are there for non-violent drug offenses. They don't need to be in prison for 5 years with murderers and rapists and have felonies prevent them from ever living a normal life post-prison.
Posted on 10/26/15 at 2:14 pm to TheCaterpillar
You don't understand how addiction and rehab works
Posted on 10/26/15 at 2:14 pm to TheCaterpillar
you think that the criminal justice lobby actually wants people to be rehabilitated?
HAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHH
HAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHH
Posted on 10/26/15 at 2:14 pm to TheCaterpillar
Because you have to want to go to rehab for it to work. Most of these folks just want to rob and steal so they can get high.
But that narrative isn't popular with the liberals. So your idea will probably get a couple of trillion dollars of my tax money.
But that narrative isn't popular with the liberals. So your idea will probably get a couple of trillion dollars of my tax money.
Posted on 10/26/15 at 2:16 pm to Rouge
quote:
you think that the criminal justice lobby actually wants people to be rehabilitated?
HAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHH
No, I didn't say that. I know they don't. But this would be a balance between their draconian system and the new movement of trying to kill the entire privatized prison system and end the drug war.
Posted on 10/26/15 at 2:17 pm to TheCaterpillar
Sounds like a good idea. Private jails have no intentions of rehabilitating an inmate. why would you? That'd be like if a bar held AA meeting.
Posted on 10/26/15 at 2:19 pm to jbgleason
quote:
Because you have to want to go to rehab for it to work. Most of these folks just want to rob and steal so they can get high.
But that narrative isn't popular with the liberals. So your idea will probably get a couple of trillion dollars of my tax money.
Robbing people seems pretty violent to me.
And I know you need to want to get healthy, but its still better than prison and would help them clean up and prevent felonies from fricking their lives up more. Felonies and extensive prison sentences with violent offenders is not the answer for heroin/crack addicts that continually get busted for personal possession.
Posted on 10/26/15 at 2:20 pm to TheCaterpillar
I just question how many drug offenders a rehab setting would help. I know there are a lot of true addicts who would be rightfully targeted, but how many drug-related criminals are just criminals foremost rather than addicts (not saying they're not addicts, just that it may not be why they got themselves locked up)?
Posted on 10/26/15 at 2:21 pm to Hammertime
quote:
You don't understand how addiction and rehab works
There are different levels of rehab. This would be mandatory and taking the place of jail. It would basically be jail, but only non-violent drug offenders, without the ridiculous charges on their record, and a 100% focus on addiction all-day every day in the facility. And for a long time. Not some 30 day shite. I'm talking 6 months, 1 year, etc.
Posted on 10/26/15 at 2:21 pm to TheCaterpillar
People aren't continually getting busted for personal possession. They are catching charges secondary to other crimes. Police aren't out there checking people's pockets for crack rocks. But when they find crack on someone who just committed another crime, like stealing something, then they will charge them.
Posted on 10/26/15 at 2:22 pm to TheCaterpillar
Prisons shouldn't be privatized b/c they don't give a flying frick about anything other than making profit. They have incentive to keep people in prison, not rehabilitate them. Mandatory private rehab centers would end up the same way.
Posted on 10/26/15 at 2:22 pm to Pettifogger
quote:
I just question how many drug offenders a rehab setting would help. I know there are a lot of true addicts who would be rightfully targeted, but how many drug-related criminals are just criminals foremost rather than addicts (not saying they're not addicts, just that it may not be why they got themselves locked up)?
That's really not up to us to prosecute them for something we didn't catch them doing and just assume they "also" do.
If all you've been in trouble for is non-violent drug offenses, I don't understand how prison and heavy felony charges helps anyone.
Posted on 10/26/15 at 2:24 pm to jbgleason
quote:
People aren't continually getting busted for personal possession. They are catching charges secondary to other crimes. Police aren't out there checking people's pockets for crack rocks. But when they find crack on someone who just committed another crime, like stealing something, then they will charge them.
There are a lot more than you think.
Repeat possession can carry big jail time.
Posted on 10/26/15 at 2:26 pm to TheCaterpillar
Also not saying my idea is perfect. I enjoy the discussion.
Just brainstorming on a rainy Monday afternoon
Just brainstorming on a rainy Monday afternoon
Posted on 10/26/15 at 2:26 pm to TheCaterpillar
Great in theory, but addicts have to want to go to rehab, not be forced or coerced. The better question is why not just actually attempt to rehab offenders already in jail?
Posted on 10/26/15 at 2:28 pm to HeadCoach
quote:
The better question is why not just actually attempt to rehab offenders already in jail?
They are in there with other, much more violent offenders and that is not a good way to rehab someone.
Also, it doesn't matter how rehabbed they are if they get out and have felonies preventing them from getting work. Then they have to find "other" ways to make money. The cycle is fricked up and the depression often leads to them using again. (or drinking)
Posted on 10/26/15 at 2:28 pm to TheCaterpillar
quote:
That's really not up to us to prosecute them for something we didn't catch them doing and just assume they "also" do.
If all you've been in trouble for is non-violent drug offenses, I don't understand how prison and heavy felony charges helps anyone.
My point is that if you're caught selling drugs or in possession primarily because you're some misguided 20 year old from some shite hole, what will be gained by rehab?
My suspicion is that huge number of guys from Vine City in Atlanta don't end up in jail because they can't control their addiction, they end up there because they're from Vine City and have 20 years of shitty learned behavior.
I'm not crapping on your idea, I just think we too often conflate drug addiction and drug offenses, which can be misleading and lead to unrealistic expectations.
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