A PUNISHMENT SOCIETY

Today, the cop who mistook her gun for a taser got 2 years for her negligence. The victim’s family wanted the book thrown at her, the prosecution, 8 years. The judge talked about her sentence, and mentioned rehabilitation as part of her sentence considerations when she concluded the trial.

When has punishment ever done anybody any good? It’s a consequence of behavior that won’t necessarily modify it. Punishment is punitive, a consequence for criminal behavior, rehabilitation requires empathy.

America is a punishment society, and the limiting factors are usually how good a law firm the defendant can fund. Empathy was displayed by the judge, she could relate to the defendant and acted accordingly. She did her job.

It is a punishment society, rehabilitation, an afterthought. In many states, people who have served their time can not vote, and have trouble finding work, they are second class citizens for life.

2/18/22