Jail time; what does it solve?

[Perseus]

What does putting, say, a pedophile in jail for a long time accomplish? How does it help them? Sitting in a dark, small jail cell most likey doesn't help you; it most likely drives you insane and causes one to contrive desire to get revenge. What do all of you think of jail sentencing? Is it just and fair; does it cause more harm than good? These are not particular questions you have to answer; just questions I have devised.

[Amnesiac]

What does putting, say, a pedophile in jail for a long time accomplish? How does it help them? Sitting in a dark, small jail cell most likey doesn't help you; it most likely drives you insane and causes one to contrive desire to get revenge. What do all of you think of jail sentencing? Is it just and fair; does it cause more harm than good? These are not particular questions you have to answer; just questions I have devised.

Since pedophilia is a mental disorder, jail time doesn't really do anything to help. Pedophiles should go through mental rehabilitation instead of sitting in a jail cell, without anybody providing aid for their condition. Some criminals should be placed in prison, though, such as murderers and others that don't have mental problems. That doesn't mean they shouldn't have some rehab as well.

[Perseus]

Since pedophilia is a mental disorder, jail time doesn't really do anything to help. Pedophiles should go through mental rehabilitation instead of sitting in a jail cell, without anybody providing aid for their condition. Some criminals should be placed in prison, though, such as murderers and others that don't have mental problems. That doesn't mean they shouldn't have some rehab as well.

Sure murderers do. The enjoy killing things. That seems like a mental problem right there since a sane person does go around stabbing people seventy times with a blunt knife.

[Amnesiac]

Sure murderers do. The enjoy killing things. That seems like a mental problem right there since a sane person does go around stabbing people seventy times with a blunt knife.

And some murderers aren't like that. Everyone's different, everyone has a specific case.

[Perseus]

And some murderers aren't like that. Everyone's different, everyone has a specific case.

I do agree with you; let me rephrase my statement. I was talking about serial killers. My fault. But then anger comes into the factor of many murders; surely they should have their angered checked out?

[Amnesiac]

I do agree with you; let me rephrase my statement. I was talking about serial killers. My fault. But then anger comes into the factor of many murders; surely they should have their angered checked out?

Of course. I said every murderer should at least have some rehab, even if it's just a little bit. However, for serial killers, I doubt that would solve anything.

[Perseus]

Of course. I said every murderer should at least have some rehab, even if it's just a little bit. However, for serial killers, I doubt that would solve anything.

As right you are, there is no harm in trying. Even though most of the time it would be worth nothing.

[Amnesiac]

As right you are, there is no harm in trying. Even though most of the time it would be worth nothing.

Agreed. Someone's gonna come in here and complain about wasting taxpayer money, though.

[ShyGuyInChicago]

I feel that it is important to identify people who can be rehabilitated and give it to them regardless of whether or not they are incarcerated.

Jail time however can solve some things such as protecting society from people who can't or won't change.

[Sage]

To answer the question: Often, nothing, especially considering the absurd level of corruption in prisons: Both among the inmates and among the guards.