Prison or holiday resort?
Posted on April 12th, 2012
By Dr. Mrs. Mareena Thaha ReffaiƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Dehiwela.
Prison is meant to be a punishment but in our country it seems to be holiday resort. First we had weddings taking place in prisons and then there were complaints that the food brought for some prisoner is too much and hid phones and drugs, and they had fashion shows for the prisoners ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and now we have prisoners complaining they could not watch the cricket match. Even the ministers go out of the way to give stationery and gifts to the children of the prisoners. Next they might even come out with an idea of giving a stipend for the family of the prisoners!
Now is there any wonder ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ that our prisons are overflowing. I was told by reliable sources the petty thieves when they find the going tough outside the prison they just ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-get caughtƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ so that they can have free food and lodging while they can forego the ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ take the responsibility of looking after their family.
If we are to really punish the offenders they must feel the prison sentence to be really something they loath. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ There should not be any concession to make it easy. No food from home, minimum comforts, no mobile phones, no television ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and no gala functions. Certainly no weddings! And it should either be counseling to rehabilitate or hard labor! That way the prison sentence will be really feared by the people: on one hand the crimes will reduce and on the other hand the prisons will not be so crowded.
The families of only the life sentenced prisoners must be helped. If not why would the prisoner even think ofƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ rehabilitating himself? One may argue that the family did not do the crime and must not be punished. But then the family is the dearest thing to their hearts. If one is to make them feel remorse they have to be made to feel the pain. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
What are we doing with our prison system? We are just feeding and breeding crimes and criminals. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ No wonder the country is full of criminals inside ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and outside ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ of the prison.
The authorities must think of ways to reduce the crime rate of the country if not we are doomed sure, no doubt.
April 12th, 2012 at 2:21 pm
Well cutting off the hands and feet of people hasn’t completely eliminated crime in Saudi Arabia hasn’t it? After all Rizana Nawfeek is still in prison, awaiting the death penalty in Saudi Arabia for a crime she didn’t commit.
April 12th, 2012 at 6:47 pm
It is shameful that people are making racist remarks in this day and age. Regarding the lawlessness, the major culprits are the power brokers in the society and it permeate to lower levels. I do think decent people have any trust in the police and legal system.
April 12th, 2012 at 9:43 pm
If she is proposing that BARBARIC Sharia crap I’m totally against it.
Otherwise I agree with her.
Prisons are holiday resorts for some top drug dealers, underworld gangs, politicians, LTTE terrorists, etc. They even have their honeymoon in prison!!
This is also true.
“And it should either be counseling to rehabilitate or hard labor!”
April 12th, 2012 at 10:53 pm
Dr Mareena:
How would be the country if you had your law.’
Here western countries are furious that muslims migrated from other countries kill their wives,children and relatives as part of HONOUR killings. Killing is better than the prisons. Less cost.