Prisons

There are changes I would like to see in our prison system. I'm a strong advocate of civil liberties. I'm a firm believer that an accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Having just seen "Good Night, and Good Luck" , my belief in the absolute necessity of due process is even more strongly reinforced. Because we afford so many protections before making a pronouncement of guilt, I believe we can be reasonably certain that those facing punishment indeed deserve it. Unfortunately, some innocent people will be wrongfully accused and sentenced. On the other hand, there are guilty who manage to avoid prosecution. The current balance is as afair as possible. Proven new technologies, such as DNA blood analysis or cyber tracking, should be used to the fullest extent to further minimize the number of individuals wrongfully accused.
Correctional facilities should not become breeding grounds for super-criminals. Too often the socialization which occurs within prison walls results in inmates learning better methods of evading law enforcement and perfecting their ill-chosen vocations. Prisons are required to allow all inmates an opportunity for physical recreation. Again, this often leads to prisoners who become physically uncontrollable and more dangerous to law enforcement once they are released. Through legislation or executive order, these two problems should be corrected.
First and foremost, I propose that prisons be organized and constructed in such a way to dramatically minimize the amount of socialization which can occur among the prison population. Inmates should not be barred from human interaction; I'm merely suggesting that this interaction be limited to individuals that portary are more positive image worthy of emulation. This may be prison staff, therapists, and even other inmates judged to have the proper character. Should this change require additional human resources, it is an investment well worth making.
Prisons have gained the reputation, fairly by most accounts , of having amenities like what one would expect at a hotel. Here is where I feel fairness and respect for human dignity should end. Inmates who now enjoy television, movies, or fine meals, should hardly be considered mistreated if these priviledges were revoked. Prison is meant to provide punishment for wrongdoing and rehabilitation, not a respite from the rigors of responsible citizenship. The television should be replaced by education and literature, of carefully screened rehabilitative content. Reading materials should be plentiful and readily available as a means of occupying the minds of the inmates and toward their individulaized plan for self improvement. Meals should be carefully planned and prepared to provide the bare minimum of nutritious sustenance, without frills or culinary embellishment.
Lastly, for the strictly minimum security prisons, some of the restrictions previously discussed may be relaxed in compensation for work. Inmates of minimum security prisons should be allowed to earn wages, to be paid upon their release, for work that benefits society and the prisons where they live. Self sufficient prison farms are an outstanding way of rehabilitating individuals with a realistic chance of becoming responsible citizens. They also reduce operating costs for the prison.