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Prisoner Rights?

Do you believe prisoners have rights even in prison (excluding rights to food and sanitary conditions which is basic)? To what degree? Some believe that by breaking the law criminals have made their rights null and void. In some countries prisons are deplorable and so unkept that they are a hazard to any that enter.

Rights Prisoner

I do not doubt but there are many in prisons who should not be there. If they are guilty then there are other punishments besides imprisonment or for shorter terms. Serious crimes such as treason and pre-meditated murder should, I feel, be a matter of the death penalty where strong evidence and reliable witnesses (more than one) are present.

Punishment exists insomuch as a right is infringed - either life, liberty or property. So, yes, criminals should have the freedom to exercise their rights except in those areas where they have been justly punished.

If we take all rights on the slightest crime, then there is every incentive for the criminal to go to the extremes of murder et al. to avoid justice. It would not be a system that would be just or would promote repentance.

Dubhdara.

Prisoner Rights? History & Civil Business Politics

I think you are entitled to only basic rights in prison. The right to be safe from harm. The right to have your health taken care of and your right to worship how you see fit. To me, that is about it. Otherwise, I think you lost those priviledges when you were incarcerated for your crimes.

Rights Prisoner

That is a touchy subject for me because I have read of cases where prisoners are getting better health benefits than people on the outside. I am all for basic health checks etc but that should be the extent of health care. No extra medical coverage should be given to those who have been tried and sentenced to serve time. That is a waste of the taxpayers money.

Rights Prisoner

What would you consider extra health care? I certainly don't think they should be given face lifts, but I think they should be treated routinely for things like getting their teeth cleaned, etc. I don't think we should lock them up and let them rot. Especially since a lot of people in prison are there for relatively minor offenses like personal drug use. I think we need to remember that not everyone who goes to jail is a violent life long criminal. In fact, there are many who learn from their experience and don't go back. So, while I don't think I want to make prison comfortable, I do think we need to provide for medical care. The fact that we don't provide it for all of our citizens is wrong, but as the saying goes, "two wrongs, don't make a right."

Prisoner Rights?

IMO, extra health care includes such things as sex-change operations, body modifications, elective surgery, etc. Lasik surgery also seems (to me) to be outside the bounds of normal health care requirements. Most of these things are currently available, or are being actively sought by prisoners and their enablers.

Basic dental care (including such things as crowns), preventative health care, even hospice service seems to me to be normal, basic health care that should be provided.

Prisoner Rights

Under the guidelines listed by Nighthawk I am in complete agreement then that basic healthcare only should be provided. I certainly don't think I should pay my tax dollars for a sex change for example.

Edited: tenaheff on 8th Jun, 2004 - 1:39pm

Prisoner Rights Politics Business Civil & History

Yes, sorry I didnt respond sooner. What nighthawk mentioned is what I was referring too as extra health care. There was one incident where a prisoner was requesting a kidney for a transplant, and another where an inmate was petitioning for a very expensive procedure (the name of the procedure does not come to mind). In those cases, I dont think prisoners should be allowed consideration.