Misconceptions on crime?

[person1021]

First of all, hello everyone. I found you guys on Google.

I want to say that I'm a moderate who doesn't follow either side to the letter, really, however I mostly identify as a "centre-left" person who believes in good regulations that allow a market to flow freely but fairly .


Anyway, I may be wrong on this but I will come here to say it: Is it true that the "left wing" is in favor of giving convicted rapists and murderers pardons or free passes out of jail, or allow them to live in luxury? I've heard this from a variety of sources, but I might have heard wrong or read something wrong. As it seems to me that many left-wing politicians I know are supporters of hardcore criminals over that of victims, and to be for victims is to be "right wing" on crime.

I just wanted to hear some opinions on this and as an "opposing" member of far-left policies I'd figure I'd post here. Please, no flame wars or insults...I am just curious of where the "RevLeft" people stand on crime and punishment. Thanks for your time.


person1021

[LeftSideDown]

Hey, I'm a libertarian but I think you must be mistaken. Perhaps "left-wingers" believe more in rehabilitation than punishment, but I doubt that they are in support of rapists and murderers. At worst I think they try to blame "the system" instead of the perpetrator, so perhaps this is what is confusing you.

[Comrade Awesome]

In a context of a capalist society, far-lefists tend to side with the centre-left/moderate view that rehabilation is better than punishment, that jail should be designed to rehabilate prisoners so they can be reintroduced as functoning members of society rather than locking them in hell for their lifetime. Whether this can be construded as 'giving convicted rapists and murderers a free pass' is another discussion.

As far as socialist/communist societies go, we view crime as a result of scarcity, it would be non-existant in socialism. The socio-economic conditions that lead people to be murderers and rapists would be a thing of the past.

Hope I helped.

[person1021]

Hey, I'm a libertarian but I think you must be mistaken. Perhaps "left-wingers" believe more in rehabilitation than punishment, but I doubt that they are in support of rapists and murderers. At worst I think they try to blame "the system" instead of the perpetrator, so perhaps this is what is confusing you.


That could be it...I just get it all confused sometimes. I just see so much political back-and-forth with both sides who can, quite possibly, spin-doctor things to look good for them.

I just got on this school of thought due to the Karla Homolka case here in Canada. She helped her husband rape and murder 3 girls, including her sister. Now she's eligible for a pardon and I read places that "the Left and Democrats" are too soft on crime and would grant her a pardon in a heartbeat(She's already out of jail, fyi).

[person1021]

In a context of a capalist society, far-lefists tend to side with the centre-left/moderate view that rehabilation is better than punishment, that jail should be designed to rehabilate prisoners so they can be reintroduced as functoning members of society rather than locking them in hell for their lifetime. Whether this can be construded as 'giving convicted rapists and murderers a free pass' is another discussion.

As far as socialist/communist societies go, we view crime as a result of scarcity, it would be non-existant in socialism. The socio-economic conditions that lead people to be murderers and rapists would be a thing of the past.

Hope I helped.


I see...I'm just of the belief that people who commit such heinous crimes such as rape or murder cannot be changed in some cases and should be locked up for the rest of their lives.

Thanks though. Answered some of my questions!

[¿Que?]

The problem is that the criminal (in)justice system routinely persecutes minorities. It has been shown through quantitative empirical data (available upon request) that whites are less likely to receive severe penalties for the same crimes as blacks or Latinos.

This may make us seem insensitive to crime victims at times, but the focus is on the system, not the individual players, either criminals or victims.

That said, there is a tendency by the right to exploit victims suffering in order to create what's called if I remember correctly "moral panics" which is essentially to create an atmosphere of fear for a particular marginalized group. It happened for example in the U.S. with gangs, essentially a moral panic against minorities.

The plight of victims is important, but not to the extent that it is used as a means to criminalize a race or ethnicity, as is often the case with right-wing victimization narratives.

[Comrade Awesome]

I see...I'm just of the belief that people who commit such heinous crimes such as rape or murder cannot be changed in some cases and should be locked up for the rest of their lives.

Thanks though. Answered some of my questions!
Every criminal needs to be addressed on a case-by-case basis. It's not as simple as a yes or no to parole.

[Bud Struggle]

I think this thread could be titled "Misconceptions on the Radical Left."

[#FF0000]

Anyway, I may be wrong on this but I will come here to say it: Is it true that the "left wing" is in favor of giving convicted rapists and murderers pardons or free passes out of jail, or allow them to live in luxury? I've heard this from a variety of sources, but I might have heard wrong or read something wrong. As it seems to me that many left-wing politicians I know are supporters of hardcore criminals over that of victims, and to be for victims is to be "right wing" on crime.

Hahahaha that's all absurd. Nobody on the planet wants rapists and murderers to walk free.

Generally, leftists want the criminal justice system for focus more on rehabilitation for prisoners, or, if that's impossible, simple separation from society, for criminals, as opposed to straight up retribution.

Life sentences, fine. Death penalty, absolutely not.

Leftists, at least in the U.S., also generally want to improve conditions in prisons, because rapist or not, the current situation is barbaric, with tons and tons of abuse.

So, yeah, the left generally might get guff for being "soft on crime", but that's because we take a more reasoned approach, rather than one that just satisfies people's bloodlust and (self)righteous indignation.