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Study: All non-violent criminals jailed on minor drug offence should be released

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Re: Study: All non-violent criminals jailed on minor drug offence should be released

#81
post #5

A study (if it's a real study) can't tell you what should be done, it should give you new knowledge about the state of affairs. (while I agree that drug offense should be decriminalized).

Ehhh, most studies in this realm have a 'results' section and 'discussion' section. I disagree that experts in their field can't have an opinion laid out in the discussion section, given that it follows from the analysis and results from the previous sections. That being said, the page is currently timing out, so I can' even read the article...

'Results' present the new knowledge gained in a short form. 'Discussion' is normally an invitation to scientific discussion, not a political one. But even if it has the latter, it's still not the result of a study, just a piece of opinion that authors saw appropriate to include.

The paper [1] really seems more like a call to action from ethicists published in a scientific journal as a study for whatever reason.

[1] https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15265161.2020.1...

Re: Study: All non-violent criminals jailed on minor drug offence should be released

#83
post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Incitement to riot/insurrection isn't "mean words."

Were you on twitter at all during any of the protests of last summer? Vague “incitement of riot” charges are going to be used against a whole lot of anti-establishment groups that were active during that time (and now). If you think it stops at MAGA you are deceived.

Show me a "Vague 'incitement of riot'" charge being brought against anyone.

And I wouldn't include the BLM protests of the summer as anti-establishment in the same vein as the Qanon/1776er crowd that wanted to overthrow the government.

Re: Study: All non-violent criminals jailed on minor drug offence should be released

#84
post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Exactly. Any form of science cannot tell us what should or should not be done. Science informs our choices. It doesn't make them.

While I agree with the fundamental, the is-ought divide, I think this paper is basically saying "based on a load of measurements that are obviously goals of our society, criminalisation of drug offences is acting against our own interests".

That's fine, but it should say that (and probably does; the journalism is probably the one changing the story).

Re: Study: All non-violent criminals jailed on minor drug offence should be released

#85

The #1 issue in the USA beyond simple conviction and incarceration is rehabilitation. At the federal level, where I have personal experience, it seems like it's entirely retribution instead of rehabilitation. I was in a federal prison camp and it is primarily an exercise in leisure. The entire day was composed of well.. nothing. If you like reading, fresh air, and exercise you're in luck. If you like alcohol, drugs,…

> The #1 issue in the USA beyond simple conviction and incarceration is rehabilitation.

Don't you think one helps with the other? Honest question.

As in, the less people in the system, the easier it would be to dedicate to each person the resources needed to rehabilitate, rather than just keeping them inside?

Re: Study: All non-violent criminals jailed on minor drug offence should be released

#86
post #54
post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The problem after that is the stigma that follows you around forever. Tell me about it. Between my prison "stigma" and the discriminatory ageism that is very prevalent in the industry, and even though I have 30 years professional programming experience, I am currently finding it impossible to find any work. Can someone please tell me...what am I supposed to do at age 55? Find a new "career"...doing what? I know ple…

The call to end prisons, police funding, and prison funding is partially to solve this exact problem. I don't think ANYONE should be able to request a federal background check. I don't think background checks should be allowed for employment or housing. Same as credit checks. A person is either safe enough to be in society, or not. There should NEVER be an in between state. And before you say anything: 1. Yes I am fi…

You would trust the state to decide if a sexual predators is safe to teach your children?

Re: Study: All non-violent criminals jailed on minor drug offence should be released

#87

Just legalise all drugs and let the free market decide. We could create innovative new substances which are safer and less socially damaging, compared to the plants and fermented liquids we happen to have stumbled upon millenia ago.

What do you think should be the government's role in protecting the gullible and easily seduced?

Most of these drug laws are about this in essence: We are fast approaching a world where low level labor becomes more and more superflous. This is going to mean that there will be a growing portion of humanity on welfare in essence. How do you see that working out for humanity in a world with fully legal free access drugs?

Re: Study: All non-violent criminals jailed on minor drug offence should be released

#88

First of all, I basically agree with this. Here’s something I don’t know: Sometimes I wonder whether some people in prison for non-violent drug offenses did a plea bargain down from a violent offense. And if that were the case, should this affect our opinion on any of this?

On the federal level in the USA that is not possible. Firearms and violence add on points to your sentencing and are often linked with mandatory minimums. Firearms in particular really tank your chances of a short sentence. Prior to the First Step Act you couldn't even participate in RDAP with a firearm linked to your crime. I outlined this in a different comment, but programming like RDAP should be developed and sta…

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Re: Study: All non-violent criminals jailed on minor drug offence should be released

#89
post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The call to end prisons, police funding, and prison funding is partially to solve this exact problem. I don't think ANYONE should be able to request a federal background check. I don't think background checks should be allowed for employment or housing. Same as credit checks. A person is either safe enough to be in society, or not. There should NEVER be an in between state. And before you say anything: 1. Yes I am fi…

I think this black and white view is how the constitution was written, and in boolean logic would be how it is designed. But reality has many shades of grey. Would you trust your personal banking to an institution with history of leaking/mishandling/selling everything about you, or losing records of your balance? Would you trust your health information to a doctor with previous history of kickbacks, malpractice, lax…

Was the institution reformed and executive board reprogrammed after it was caught?
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