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Open Prisons to Religious Cults

Drastic problems call for drastic solutions, don't they?
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(a.k.a. Religious Cults to Open Prisons)

Many people attest to the remarkable powers of religion in encouraging ethical and prosocial behaviour (although many also dispute this). I propose an idea which will at the very least settle this debate, and may help to reduce the startlingly high reoffending rate seen in those sent to prison...

Prisons struggle to rehabilitate offenders. Religious cults struggle to recruit new members, and to prove their worth to society. I propose that any cult which applies (major religions and non-religious 'cults' may also apply) - and which passes a number of minimum standards - is assigned a specific prison. They will have extensive access to incarcerated people, and some control over prison life. Reoffending rates from this prison will be compared with those 'owned' by other cults, and also to control prisons. Those with the best improvement in reoffending rates will be given access to more prisons (and thereby more potential cult members). Thus there is a selection pressure for more socially useful cults, and lower crime throughout a happier, if marginally more brainwashed, society... (Or at the very least, a nail in the coffin of the idea of a link between religiosity and good behaviour).

radicalllama, Jul 20 2008

Inkarmaceration This idea inspired by a comment by [the collector]. [radicalllama, Jul 20 2008]

Maybe some of the religious cult belong with the prisoners http://www.silentlambs.org/
Child molesters and the J.W. [Klaatu, Jul 20 2008]

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       IIRC, the 'shoe bomber', Richard Reid, was converted to Islam while serving a prison term for theft. Now, on the one hand, he committed no further thefts, ...
pertinax, Jul 20 2008
  

       Isn't there a law against cruel and unusual punishment?   

       To have Mormons banging on their cell for them to open, but can never open, would be cruel. Have them come at all hours of the day and night. Have them come day after day. I imagine that the suicide rate would skyrocket amongst the prisoners.
Klaatu, Jul 20 2008
  

       // Isn't there a law against cruel and unusual punishment? //   

       In the USA, sadly, yes. But don't worry, for a fee we can fly you somewhere that doesn't have those sort of scruples.   

       For a somewhat larger fee, we can not fly you somewhere that doesn't have those sort of scruples.
8th of 7, Jul 20 2008
  

       // Isn't there a law against cruel and unusual punishment? In the USA, sadly, yes.// Well yes and no, we do have laws that protect people sometimes, but if we need to break it we just declare you an "enemy combatant" and then all bets are off.
MisterQED, Jul 20 2008
  

       //we just declare you an "enemy combatant" and then all bets are off.//   

       So we can replace waterboarding with Jehovah's Witnesses and find Osama Bin Laden within 6 hours?
Klaatu, Jul 20 2008
  

       Depending on how many doors per hour they can knock on, sure.
imaginality, Jul 21 2008
  

       //Depending on how many doors per hour they can knock on, sure.//   

       I don't know that it is so much the quantity of doors they knock on, but the tenacity of their knocking. I remember making the mistake of leaving my car visible in the driveway while taking a shower. After 10 minutes of their constant banging, I went to the door (sans towel), opened it and screamed, "What the @#%! do you want?!". She left with her little daughter and I was never bothered again.   

       6 hours would be nothing for those pond scum rejects.
Klaatu, Jul 21 2008
  

       I think sex offenders and murders could have been really helped by the Heaven's Gate cult.   

       [especially by the poisoned kool-aid]
WhereYouAt, Jul 22 2008
  

       //Richard Reid, was converted to Islam while serving a prison term for theft. Now, on the one hand, he committed no further thefts, ...//
Of course, if he'd committed theft in some Islamic countries, he'd be lucky to have one hand.
coprocephalous, Jul 22 2008
  

       I like the way you make this about cults, so all religions would have a chance. In a country like the us I can see definite potential for a catholic or christian prison. After sentence, criminals can choose to go to a normal prison or to the christian prison. Yes, I think this would help in getting them a place back into society.   

       On the other hand I shudder to think what a scientology prison would be like.   

       //DISCLAIMER: I am not religious, do not believe in any higher power by whatever name, I just think that whoever loves Jezus cannnot or will not break any laws in any country. They can't steal, rape, murder etc.\\
zeno, Jul 22 2008
  

       Isn't the term scientology prison just plain redundant?   

       [free katie]
WhereYouAt, Jul 23 2008
  


 

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