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Originally Posted by DrPhil
As for Kevin's first post:
That's because the criminal justice system and general public are incapacitation and retribution oriented and not rehabilitation and reintegration oriented. There are pros and cons in the incapacitation and retribution approaches.
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I'm well aware of these arguments and have seen decent success, although the cost-justification is questionable with certain drug court programs. The big problem with all of what you said is that especially these days, the state's resources, particularly in the area of corrections are very tight. The startup cost is high for these programs and the retention of the sort of skilled state employees needed for these programs is a highly significant cost. It is very questionable here whether the cost of a straight retributive system is more than a rehabilitative one. What is not questionable is whether the states our the feds have the resources right now to significantly change the corrections system in any meaningful way.
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As for Kevins second post:
I believe in free will combined with social factors. Life is too complex to pretend as though it is one or the other. Having free will doesn't mean there aren't contexts more conducive to certain types of offenses. Social factors don't mean that everyone who is poor, for instance, becomes an offender--most poor people aren't offenders.
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It's always been as simple as just not committing felonies. No need for naval gazing and contemplating life's complexities. Just don't commit felonies and you are far less likely to go to the pokey.