A court system that bankrupts people for minor infractions

[Innula Zenovka]

How will you ever fill up for profit prisons with that method?

All too easily, I fear. To the extent that the government is now considering ending short prison sentences (under 6 months) Government considers ending short jail terms and Scotland is ending prison sentences of less than one year Short term prison sentences of less than 12 months to be brought to an end.

To my mind, the best way to reduce the prison population is to provide adequate support for drug addicts, both in general and after conviction. I don't think there are any figures to hand (there probably are some somewhere) but I'm sure that between a third and a half (at least) of the Crown Courts' work is drug related in some way.

And, while I am not at all sure it would be wise to provide crack cocaine and meth to addicts, I'm certain it would be a good investment to provide opiate substitutes like methadone, and and opiates themselves when necessary, to addicts as part of the regular NHS, so they don't have to commit almost daily acts of burglary, robbery, theft and prostitution to fund their habits.

 

[Sid]

A prisoner costs on average 250 euro per day here in the Netherlands.
So it adds up to try and keep as few people in jail as possible.

 

[Essence Lumin]

A prisoner costs on average 250 euro per day here in the Netherlands.
So it adds up to try and keep as few people in jail as possible.

That comes out to $100,000 /year. The average in the US is $33,000 / year varying wildly by state.

 

[Sid]

That comes out to $100,000 /year. The average in the US is $33,000 / year varying wildly by state.

Yes, but we only have 53 persons per 100,000 people in prison. While the USA has more than 600 per 100,000 in jail.
We only keep the severe ones long time imprisoned, and that is costly, because those are really not the nice guys and need lots of attention, guarding and supervision.

 

[GoblinCampFollower]

A prisoner costs on average 250 euro per day here in the Netherlands.
So it adds up to try and keep as few people in jail as possible.

I was thinking about that. Cost is a major reason why many jurisdictions don't like short jail sentences for minor punishments. But the trouble is that it's hard to come up with punishments that mean the same to rich and poor. I'd hate a night in jail a lot more than a small fine...

Mandatory unpaid work requirements for a charity or something is a good, low cost alternative to expensive jails, but there are big problems with that too. There was an NPR segment on not too long ago about companies exploiting the hell out of that for slave labor. America also has a lot of shady politics around what companies call themselves not for profits. So I don't see an easy solution.

 

[Innula Zenovka]

I was thinking about that. Cost is a major reason why many jurisdictions don't like short jail sentences for minor punishments. But the trouble is that it's hard to come up with punishments that mean the same to rich and poor. I'd hate a night in jail a lot more than a small fine...

Mandatory unpaid work requirements for a charity or something is a good, low cost alternative to expensive jails, but there are big problems with that too. There was an NPR segment on not too long ago about companies exploiting the hell out of that for slave labor. America also has a lot of shady politics around what companies call themselves not for profits. So I don't see an easy solution.

If it were widely used instead of higher fines and short prison sentences (e.g. for drunk driving) it might well come to be imposed on the more wealthy and influential, and their children, thus helping to keep a check on potential abuses.

 

[Kamilah Hauptmann]

Once again I stand impressed at Innula's ability to roll a flip comment into something informative.

Minor quibble:

habits

I suggest "Addiction". Habit in my mind minimizes a serious issue and hints that it's a thing that someone can overcome themselves with a bit of support and willpower.

Re: unpaid work requirements - I've heard of those called sentences of Community Service. Canada has those, as does the United States at least in some jurisdictions. In 2006 Boy George was sentenced to that for some infraction and it turned into a paparazzi circus.

 

[Innula Zenovka]

"Dependency" might be a good term, too.

 

[Anya Ristow]

A prisoner costs on average 250 euro per day here in the Netherlands.
So it adds up to try and keep as few people in jail as possible.

In the USA the incentives are a bit different. Minimizing the cost to the treasury is only an abstract goal. In reality, nobody but the taxpayers care about the cost to the treasury, and the taxpayers have no power. Literally, none.

 

[Zaida Gearbox]

While I don't consider DUI a minor infraction - I otherwise agree. One we used to see a lot of in Virginia was: 1) You need a car to get to/from work, 2) Your car needs repairs to get through inspection, 2) You either have to wait until your next check to get the repairs done, or may even need to spread it out over several checks 3) Before you can get the repairs done you get stopped by a cop because you have a failed inspection sticker, 4) If you don't pay your fines at the court date or within 30 days your license gets suspended, so you make that a priority 5) Meanwhile your car still needs repairs and to be reinspected, and you still need said car to get to/from work....