h a l f b a k e r yA dish best served not.
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Instead of sending criminals to prison for ten years, give them a temporary disability for that time.
A small titanium plate is implanted into the lens of each eye. This will give the convict highly impaired vision. They will no longer be able to see shapes or details, only shades, rendering them
effectively blind. The plates are removed again after a term of X years, fully restoring their vision.
The convict is allowed to lead a normal life (as a blind person) outside prison, but must report back to police on a weekly basis. If they attempt to have surgery to remove the plates, their punishment is extended by two years.
The advantages: It's a very cheap alternative to prison, and an equally good deterrent. Since the criminal is blind during the punishment, they are unlikely to commit any violent crimes. It teaches the criminal humility. Since the procedure is reversible, the criminal has the chance to become fully rehabilitated once the implants are removed.
Possible prior art perhappenstance?
Hudud_92n_92duduH
Tres similar, n'est pas? [theleopard, Jul 23 2008]
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I'm sure the Taliban would be interested,
but it's too nasty for me. |
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The first time the surgery is botched and a prisoner is rendered blind will cause it to fail. |
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I think this is referred to as "cruel and unusual punishment", a practice which most forward thinking democratic countries consider inhumane. [-] |
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It sounds like a decent premise for a science-fiction novel, but... is it really going to be that much cheaper than prison? Where are you going to find jobs for thousands and thousands of criminals, now blind? The welfare costs will surely be considerable. Not to mention compensation for any errors causing permanent blindness.
Is the titanium plate visible from the outside? If not, how will law-abiding blind people feel about the way they will henceforth be viewed? |
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It's an interesting question (well, to me) as to how much of a punishment it would be... I agree that it would be a strong deterrent.. and most people would surely choose a loss of freedom over a loss of sight.. but is this not one of those cases where we are not able to accurately gauge the impact on our happiness? (See Dan Gilbert's Stumbling on Happiness). I think you'd probably adapt to blindness within six months, and you might find that after 10 years a proportion of criminals don't actually want their sight restored. (See Oliver Sacks's An Anthropologist on Mars. Both great books.) |
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What if it's offered as an alternative to prison ? The criminal can choose prison or "blindness". They are allowed one "change of mind" i.e. swap prison for blindness or vice versa, during the term of their punishment. |
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Vote under consideration but veering towards [+]. |
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>>I think this is referred to as "cruel and unusual punishment", a practice which most forward thinking democratic countries consider inhumane.<< |
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I think it's more humane than vegetating in a tiny cell for 10 years. But that's just me. |
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Even if it was considered cruel, as long as it's a voluntary alternative to prison, society would accept it. |
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So, like a twist on the ol' *eye for an eye* thing? |
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So, it's like a twist on the ol' "Hudud’n’duduH" thing. |
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So, it's probation, with the added difficulty of being sightless? If you can assure me that it's impossible for a blind person to commit a crime, I'll go along with it. |
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We assure you that it's impossible for a blind person to commit a crime. |
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Maybe a blindfold device that can't be removed like an anklet that keeps you at home for your sentence, but on the inside is LCD screens that play 'be good' propoganda to you during your waking hours. |
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This makes no sense. Common criminals already have difficulty with employment. These blind folks would have to be supported either by their families or by the state. Maybe for white collar criminals but here too there has to be more refined ways to punish yet retain a productive member of society. |
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