You’re a prison abolitionist. You’re in a high stakes discussion where you have to answer seriously and be convincing.

Someone asks you : “yeah, but what are we to do with people breaking the law, then? What will you replace prisons with ?”

What will you answer?

Edit : Thanks a lot for your answer, they were very interesting and reflecting different ways to frame a world without prisons.

Except from one or two edgelord hot takes, of course.

  • Tenniswaffles
    1·
    2 months ago

    From context I gather you’re from Belgium. Isn’t there already OCMW/CPAS for free housing?

    Just because they’re from one country (assuming they actually are,) doesn’t mean they’re speaking from the perspective of that country. Most people will assume if you’re speaking English you’re from America or some such.

    What do you do when it’s the single mom in free housing that just wants 500EUR extra cash? Find political consensus to give her a bigger free house, with a pool, and a credit card?

    You’re just using a completely different scenario to move the goalposts. I believe that they’re point was that imprisoning people for committing a crime in pursuit of basic survival is pretty fucking shitty.

    • iii@mander.xyzEnglish
      1·
      2 months ago

      You’re just using a completely different scenario to move the goalposts.

      How so? If you abolish prisons, they’re abolished for every scenario

      • Tenniswaffles
        1·
        2 months ago

        From the original comment:

        I’m fine saying that people like Dutroux, Breivick or Abdeslam shall not be out before a very long-time. However, they’re not the average criminal.

        Obviously they aren’t for complete prison abolishment.