Reader: Should We Let Inmates Have Sex to Keep the Frustration and Violence Down?

• Superman22, I get it, you're mad you're not having sex, etc, but no one owes anyone sex, it's not inhuman to not give someone sex, and that is one of the stupidest things I have ever heard said about pedophilia. And no, not everyone has urges to do the things that put other people in jail. I'd like to introduce you to a relevant concept here, it's called "projection".

• SPIDERMAN222, "Many pedophiles wouldn't be pedophiles in the first place if people medical profession kept tabs on their lack of quality relationships when they were young kids who didn't integrate into society." How would you suggest that the medical profession kept these tabs on pedophiles when they were young? The myth theory of yours for most people to have taboo urges is just that a myth. There is a big difference between civilized behavior and animalistic behavior. You are suggesting that most people have fantasies of pedophilia, that's just not true. A pedophile is a individual with mental issues accompanied with physiological problems as well. Most people have some mental issues but not what you are suggesting. We as a society do not want to have sex with our children. You may have that desire too, but you can bet your ass most people don't. Have you tried getting into a good psychiatrist

• At SPIDERMAN222 what you said could not have been more right on and I could not have said it better myself!!!!!

• Conjugal visits are a good idea. So is teaching a trade. So is learning coping skills and life skills. Unrelenting punishment for years will turn even the most mellow person into either a shivering, broken whimp or a raging beast. Most people do get out of prison sooner or later. Would we rather have someone ready to meet the demands of society or someone who will continue those broken, raging behaviors brought about by prison punishment. Another thing, most people in prison are there for non-violent crimes. We could actually empty out the prisons pretty well by using ankle bracelets and close monitoring for those who have not committed violent crimes. Reserve prison for violent offenders. Sigh, I don't know if those in control would go for it. Prison is such a money-maker. Not for the ordinary citizens, we just pay the bill.

• Speaking as a sexless man who's gone (involuntarily) without for a decade due to disability and lack of funds, it's simply inhuman to deny ANYONE sex for that long. The only thing a sex starved man for that long would want to do is get back at his society or take his own life to end his own suffering. Lack of sex life and suicide are linked in men, sex is life for a man, a life without sex has enormous psychological consequences. The "Punish them" crowd needs to learn a thing or two about their own hidden thoughts and urges behind the facade of the "normal human being" in the mirror. Many pedophiles wouldn't be pedophiles in the first place if people medical profession kept tabs on their lack of quality relationships when they were young kids who didn't integrate into society. Criminals are a the reflection of what is truly sick in the the average human being, the repression of all those taboo urges in normal society that everyone has but most will not admit to having. The good citizen is a myth, most people have what would be considered "criminal" tendencies and fantasies they would never admit to in public.

• this is a fucking stupid idea. first, prison is PUNISHMENT. who cares if they're sexually frustrated, they should have thought of that sooner. not only that, but prison should be even worse than it is now. ie no yard with exercise equipment and sports fields and shit. they should be in their cells 23 hours a day instead of being able to form gangs and kill eachother and learn how to be better criminals. and last, if you actually thing prison rape is about sex then you're fucking stupid. its about controlling other people, basically they use it as a fucking weapon. so fucking disgusting fag niggers fuck other men in the ass in prison it adds to the fun

• And don't you think that denying someone the right to LIVE is "simply cruel and unusual punishment" also?

• Um... are you serious?! What the hell are they doing in prison then? Why not make them some shrimp and steak and hire a violin player to play dinner music for them during supper, and then let them go for a swim in the pool or relax in the hot tub with a few beers after dinner. They are in PRISON for a reason and should not be granted comfort let alone SEX. Im glad you're not running prisons. Otherwise people will start killing people just to get in!

• There are plenty of effective ways to both reduce prison violence and keep perverts away from kids that don't involve giving criminals who ruin lives access to life's simple pleasures. Let's exhaust those first.

• I wasn't taking about the trial phase of the criminal process (Don't get me started on that.), but rather the punishment phase. And as far as I'm concerned those options of never getting out or being exiled (Only if you were someone important is that a viable option.): Either way, problem solved. They are effectively removed from civilized society.

• What happened to the good old days when criminals were locked up in what amounted to solitary confinement for the duration of their sentance, no time off for "good behavior," no conjugal visits, no TV, no magazines (girly or otherwise), no phone calls, and so forth? You know, back in the day when going to prison was REAL punishment!! The older I get, the more I like the idea some Middle Eastern countries have; 1st offense, take off the right hand, 2nd offense, take off the left hand; 3rd offense, take off the head, because the perp is too stupid to learn from his previous two mistakes.

• To Frank- As a fellow man, I think we can agree having sex is not a priviledge, if it is we should just neuter all 'lifers' in prison so as to cut down on the Testosterone and make a safer work environment for the guards? Denying someone sex for decades is simply cruel and unusual punishment in my opinion. If there is somebody out there that wants to F%^% em why the hell not? Won't hurt you or I or the system? And what about when they get out...YOU go without sex for a couple decades and see how you react when turned back into the public. Seems that if they don't have a death sentence the jury recommended a sentence of rehabilitation whether we like it or not, they will be released someday. Why shouldn't we try to keep them as well adjusted to society while imprisoned in hopes of having them return to society at least without 20-40 year blueballs. @Russel- You know why you never see repeat offenders in 3rd world countries is? They never get out to repeat the crime, OR if they are released, most are exiled from the country. Also many 3rd world countries also try,convict, and sentence you with a military-like court martial in which you have absolutely no rights as an ACCUSED criminal. Should we adopt this policy as well? Seems to make court go faster so sure why not right? Cmon man, think about both sides of the coin. Just my opinions :)

• You don't see a lot of repeat offenders in the prisons of 3rd world countries. You know, those backward places where they still send you to prison as a punishment. The concept of rehabilitation is a joke. You can't confine a bunch of animals in close proximity and expect one to come out of the cage a better person. They'll still be an animal, but most can learn that bad behavior brings punishment. Just like rubbing your dogs nose in poop or swatting him with a paper.

• Prison SHOULD be a rehab center. Seems kinda silly to me to have someone with so much time on their hands not trying to better themselves so that they're less likely to go back to prison once their out.

• No. Prison is supposed to be a punishment, not a halfway house where criminals should get all kinds of privileges and benefits. It's not a rehab center. They get all those privileges and benefits back, by doing the time and getting out.

• Yeah, nymphomaniacs need something to do on the weekends, y'know? Seriously, I don't see the harm in conjugal visits either...depending on the crime. If you're a rapist, molester, or murderer then I'd say that conjugal visits are out for you. If you're in because you deal drugs, rob banks, or embezzled there's no reason to deny you this.

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