Anarchist alternatives to prison

[gorillafuck]

What are the anarchist alternatives to prison?

[FreeFocus]

I've recently become interested in ideas about prison abolition through reading some Angela Davis, but I haven't delved into it yet in-depth. She's not an anarchist but anarchists who support prison abolition probably share some of her reasoning. There's some ideas out there about restorative justice and reintegrating criminals into their communities, but conceivably in a communist society, we wouldn't be talking about crimes involving personal property (theft), but rather much more serious things like murder and rape. I don't oppose the death penalty in a post-capitalist society, as my opposition to it not is premised on how it works in a racist and class-based system.

Something along the lines of restorative justice that the Zapatistas employ might be a model.

[revolution inaction]

It depends on what you mean by prison. I think all anarchists are opposed to prisons as they exists at the current time, but a lot of us think that we'll still need to put people who are a danger to society in a secure place that they cant leave.

[DuracellBunny97]

I don't think there is an alternative to prison, it would merely be a better prison that doesn't hold non-violent criminals, there would be no death penalty, and there would be a larger focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment, however if that were to fail, theres life in prison, or ostracization I guess, at least that's how I would imagine the anarchist justice system. Another thing is there will be less incentive to commit crimes, for example, what would be the point of stealing? for the most part we'd all be on equal ground anyways, no need to steal

[synthesis]

You can get rid of "prisons" but I don't think it's feasible to get rid of "places you put people who can't be anywhere else." I wouldn't want to live in a society where alleged crimes can only be dealt with through the death penalty or nothing at all. That doesn't seem like "freedom" at all; and ostracism only makes problems worse, as we can presently observe with drug addicts and mental illnesses.

[Os Cangaceiros]

Since this is in "history": summary execution.

[Ocean Seal]

What are the anarchist alternatives to prison?
Well I'm not an anarchist, but I don't believe that prison should be abolished. I think that capitalism has a natural tendency to create more criminals though and to imprison a great many innocent people, but I see the ideal situation as one where the reasons for being in jail are actually reasonable. I think that prisoners should have access to education and job training so that they can be reintegrated upon release instead of going back to crime. I also think that we should abolish the whole post-prison everyone can see your record thing.

But in all honestly I see prison as a potential vestige in a socialist future. In a sense I believe that prison will abolish itself or become very minimal.
I think that crime will necessarily go down as jobs will be available to all and that ideals of solidarity and working together will be fostered whereas greed and desire to gain an unfair advantage over another individual will decline. In addition, with job training/education this should ensure that very few enter prison and that those who do are generally murderers/rapists, and that they will decline in number.

[The Man]

The only alternative I could possibly think of is deportation or the Death Penalty, but I'm sure were not going to give every single criminal the death penalty, and I don't know how deportation would work so well.

[Os Cangaceiros]

To elaborate a bit on my particular stance on this topic:

It's important to recognize that what we know as "prison" didn't really exist prior to the dawn of capitalism. To be sure there were "prisons" in the sense that there were buildings with walls that people were held in, but the dungeons of old were mostly for holding people who were awaiting punishment. The idea of institutionalizing someone for the stated purpose of changing erroneous behavior didn't exist on a wide scale until around the Enlightenment. Ana Siljak gives a good perspective on this in her description of a Russian prison prior to the USSR:


The St. Petersburg House of Preliminary Detention, unveiled on August 1st, 1875, was considered a masterpiece of modern penal technology. It was an enormous six-story structure designed to hold seven hundred prisoners, built on the corner of Shpalernaia and Zakharevskaia streets, near the center of the city. The regime spared no expense in construction-it hired an expert in prison architecture, Karl Maievsky, and spent seven hundred thousand rubles, over a thousand rubles per prisoner. It boasted all of the conviences of the modern age: a complicated ventilation system provided fresh and heated air, plumbing for running water, and a flushable toilet for each cell. In addition, the prison had a well-stocked library, a school, a church, and a courtyard for daily excercise. (20)

Continuing on:


The Pentonville Prison's [British prison that personified the new role of penal institutions] reputation preceeded it's opening in 1842. In that year, visitors from all over Europe flocked to marvel and take notes. It was an awesome sight: a monstrous brick, iron, and glass construction with a fascade more befitting a castle than a prison. Most dramatic was the cavernous central atrium, lit by vaulted glass ceilings, from which radial wings fanned out. Standing in the central atrium, a person could survey rows upon rows of neatly spaced, identical cells [note: panopticon, anyone?]. Visitors were suitably impressed by the cleanliness of the interior, the symmetry of the cells, and the modern amenities, including intricate plumbing and ventilation systems. Order and discipline reigned: regulations were posted in each cell, and each day was scheduled by the hour. Warders and prisoners knew their exact rights and responsibilities. The atmosphere was clinical and orderly. One observer noted that Pentonville was the penal version of the Crystal Palace-a monument to the triumph of technology over human adversity.(23)

The comparison was apt. Like the Crystal Palace, Pentonville was a statement of the transformative power of knowledge. Crime, like disease, could be eradicated and criminals cured. A shrewd application of scientific technology was the key. Pentonville declared itself a laboratory for the conversion of criminals into law-abiding, moral citizens. (24)

I think it pretty much goes without saying that this kind of mindset didn't exist centuries prior.

What's the point of all that? The point is that social change profoundly effects everything, including penal systems, laws and prisons. The same kind of change that replaced filthy dungeons/gaols with the modern so-called civilized criminal justice system of today will probably turn modern prisons into something different with a revolutionary change in economic & social relations (a.k.a. communism). I'm not particularly interested in theorizing what it'll look like, though.

[gorillafuck]

Oops I meant to put this in theory, please move it.


Something along the lines of restorative justice that the Zapatistas employ might be a model.
What do they do?:confused:

[The Garbage Disposal Unit]

I think there are a variety of models of transformative/restorative justice that are very inspiring, as well as various traditional indigenous justice practices.
As regards an example being put into practice in anarchist/radical communities themselves, I've been particularly inspired by the work Philly's Pissed (http://www.phillyspissed.net) and Philly Stands Up (http://phillystandsup.wordpress.com/about/) have done around supporting survivors of sexual assault and holding perpetrators accountable.

[MarxSchmarx]

http://cdn.buzznet.com/assets/users16/andnightsgrow/default/not-shit-again--large-msg-122887743473.jpg

In all seriousness, we have A LOT of threads that deal with this at some length:
http://www.revleft.com/vb/there-police-officers-t145958/index.html?t=145958&highlight=prison
http://www.revleft.com/vb/alternatives-prison-t105662/index.html
http://www.revleft.com/vb/showthread.php?t=138086
http://www.revleft.com/vb/showthread.php?t=141387
http://www.revleft.com/vb/prisons-and-communism-t127071/index.html?t=127071&highlight=anarchism+punishment
http://www.revleft.com/vb/punishment-anarchismi-t34883/index.html?t=34883&highlight=anarchism+punishment

etc...

But I'm all ears if I someone has an idea that hasn't been brought up yet.

[Quail]

As I've said in other threads, I think that the way that antisocial criminals should be dealt with in a secure facility that works kind of like a mental health facility. It's obvious that vengeance doesn't solve anything and that it doesn't serve as a deterrant for would-be criminals, so rehabilitation is definitely the way to go. Exile is a silly idea because wherever the criminal goes, they could reoffend and they're still a danger to people.

I also don't agree with the death penalty under any circumstances because I don't think that anyone is "evil" and I'm optimistic that the vast majority of people can be rehabilitated. If not, then I don't see why they can't stay somewhere secure.

[StalinFanboy]

I don't think every little act of "crime" or anti-social behavior necessarily needs to be punished.

[Magón]

I don't think every little act of "crime" or anti-social behavior necessarily needs to be punished.

You. Gulag. Now.

As for a more serious stance, I'm gonna somewhat agree with Kayl for now. I'm too tired from other things to put my own personal stance on prisons and alternatives, right now.

[Apoi_Viitor]

As I've wrote before:

Meh, I prefer penal colonies. Just dump 'em all in Australia or something.

As for most non-violent crime, I think a combination of restitution (community service), rehabilitation, and retaliation (an eye for an eye) can solve most problems. The strategy which should be implemented would vary by case to case. As for more serious offenses, I think rehabilitating the criminal should be primary - but if it is shown that the individual guilty of the crime is unlikely to be rehabilitated, then I support the sending him/her to a penal colony.

[gorillafuck]

Meh, I prefer penal colonies. Just dump 'em all in Australia or something.
Is that a fucking joke?

[Fawkes]

Send em to Siberia.


While it is true that the crime rate would in all likelihood drastically decline, people are still gonna kill, rape, stalk, abuse, and kick the shit out of each other. Secure mental "institutions" (I hate that word) could be a good alternative to prisons for people deemed a danger to others as a result of mental illness or tendencies. Certain crimes should be met with some degree of punitive measures, but at the very least they could be productive to society (intense community service or something). As far as the death penalty, I would like to see it abolished due to the fact that it is very rare that anyone can be 100% absolutely positive with zero doubt that someone is guilty and it also sets what I think is a dangerous precedent.

Two of the most important changes I think/hope will be enacted are:
1. More community involvement in "sentencing" (for lack of a better term), not some old man in a black robe who ponders in his chambers the fate of individuals.

2. Cases be judged on a far more individual basis, none of that minimum sentencing bullshit.



And whoever seriously suggested deportation, um, to where?

[Apoi_Viitor]

Is that a fucking joke?

Yes it was, but I still support the idea of penal colonies for serious repeat offenders.


And whoever seriously suggested deportation, um, to where?

Madagascar, Atlantis, I don't know. Maybe the Vault?

[revolution inaction]

whats the differance bettween a big prison and a penal colony?

[Apoi_Viitor]

whats the differance bettween a big prison and a penal colony?

greater autonomy

[Fawkes]

whats the differance bettween a big prison and a penal colony?

Nothing, it's a stupid idea.

[Apoi_Viitor]

What are the anarchist alternatives to prison?

gulags.


Nothing, it's a stupid idea.

In all seriousness, this is why I support Penal Colonies:

http://brooklynmonk.wordpress.com/2007/03/28/modern-penal-colony-a-humane-alternative-to-brick-and-mortar-prisons/