The view from the inside of our prison system

[iquiring mind]

I wasn't sure if I should post this message in Justice or Civil Liberties as it has relevance in each. If it's worthy, feel free to kick it over to Civil Liberties.

My very politically conservative brother went to prison last year for a non-violent "white-collar" computer crime.

He create a blog about his experience. His introductory words are below:
"As a coping mechanism, I found that by mentally stepping "outside" of myself, and looking at my own prosecution from the perspective of an observer of the process rather than a participant -- let alone the subject (or is it object?) -- it was easier to deal with... in fact, it even became a form of entertainment, a drama in which I not only had a front row seat but a backstage pass as well.

I simply chose as much as I could to stay "in the moment" and experience all that was happening to me rather than morbidly contemplate where the process was taking me. I knew the government was intent on punishing me severely; I was determined that I would not allow the process to become a form of pre-punishment that can in some ways be worse than the final outcome if you let it get to you.

To that end, I made a point of documenting the process (similar to the way I intend to record my prison experience). Like a play with many acts, there were several distinct stages to this process, each of which had its own 'drama'."


His first hand experience with our judicial system has changed his views tremendously. I thought everyone would appreciate his experiences: http://60733066.blogspot.com/

[Joanne98]

1. Thanx for that. Bookmarked.

[Joanne98]

2. BTW tell your brother....

The Heritage Foundation is sponsoring a seminar on Tue, June 17, 2008 titled:

"Go Directly to (Federal) Prison: The Criminalization of Almost Everything"


That it was things like the Heritage Foundation that started this police state in the first place.

The 1970's...Richard Nixon... Law and order.. war on drugs...the moral majority...

The 1980's Reagan.. Everything became illegal...

The right is trying to revise history and blame the police state on us. It's not true. THEY DID IT!

[hisownpetard]

3. I thought this thread was gonna be about MSNBC...

[flashl]

4. Excerpts: The Criminalization of Almost Everything

"any sufficiently motivated prosecutor could put anyone in prison for the violation of some federal law."

...

Robert Jackson, US Attorney General, made a famous speech almost 70 years ago that included the following remarks:

The prosecutor has more control over life, liberty, and reputation than any other person in America.

His discretion is tremendous.

The prosecutor can order arrests, present cases to the grand jury in secret session, and on the basis of his one-sided presentation of the facts, can cause the citizen to be indicted and held for trial.

He may dismiss the case before trial, in which case the defense never has a chance to be heard.

Or he may go on with a public trial.

If he obtains a conviction, the prosecutor can still make recommendations as to sentence, as to whether the prisoner should get probation or a suspended sentence, and after he is put away, as to whether he is a fit subject for parole.

While the prosecutor at his best is one of the most beneficent forces in our society, when he acts from malice or other base motives, he is one of the worst.

[Truth4Justice]

5. Truer words were never spoken. If only they could be held accountable for thier persecutions.

there would be fewer prisons needed. Then again we need fewer laws as well, IMO.