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The Price of Punishment

By Jeralyn, Section Crime Policy
Posted on Sun Jun 26, 2005 at 09:38:14 AM EST
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Click through these pictures from the LA Times. Then go read the cover story, Dying on Our Dime. [Via Sentencing Law and Policy.]

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    • The Price of Punishment | 5 comments (5 topical)
    Re: The Price of Punishment (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:35 PM EST
    Old age and ill health is tough in the USA. It is probably more expensive, less effective and humane for inmates of correctional facilities, but it's no walk in the park for the average resident of your neighborhood nursing facility either. But, don't we all feel safer when you see these old hardened criminals serving the last of their years behind bars? Damn the cost, it's justice at its best, isn't it? I just want to see a picture of Cheney and Rummy at their cot. Then it will all make sense to me.

    Re: The Price of Punishment (none / 0) (#2)
    by Beck on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:35 PM EST
    Even if these inmates were released, the taxpayer would still have to pay the cost of providing medical care to these people. The cost might be shifted from the state to the federal government, but the cost does not go away if the prisoner is released. I doubt many of these prisoners have assets that can be used to pay medical bills. There are some good arguments made to release these prisoners (compassion, no longer a danger to society), but saving taxpayer dollars does not appear to be a valid argument.

    Re: The Price of Punishment (none / 0) (#3)
    by DawesFred60 on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:35 PM EST
    Conscious angel, that is well said, thank you! this is so sad but it is are way of doing justice to the old and to the young, I for one want to see bush on his cot inside the cells of freedom. Beck, thank you.

    Re: The Price of Punishment (none / 0) (#4)
    by aw on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:36 PM EST
    That does it. If I get sick, I'm going to find a way to go to prison. I don't have any insurance.

    Re: The Price of Punishment (none / 0) (#5)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:36 PM EST
    Yes Beck, you got it right. The LA Times' "solution" to the high medical costs borne by the state of CA for incarcerating aging criminals is to release them from prison so the Feds will have to bear those medical costs. Or maybe the LA Times wants the released infirm to become homeless and die on the streets w/o any help.

    The Price of Punishment | 5 comments (5 topical)