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The Jailed in Africa Are Left to Rot

By Jeralyn, Section Foreign Affairs
Posted on Sun Nov 06, 2005 at 05:45:04 AM EST
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I often criticize aspects of America's criminal justice system, particularly our over-reliance on incarceration and the unduly harsh sentences meted out to non-violent offenders. But I also try to remind people that for all its flaws, America has the best criminal justice system in the world.

Reports such as this in today's New York Times make my stomach churl. Read it before, not after breakfast. But please, read it.

Where are Bono, Geldorf and Live Aid? Where are Madonna and Green Day? If they are so concerned about the people of Africa, shouldn't they be doing something to publicize the plight of those imprisoned in Africa for years without a trial, in cells that house 160 inmates in the size of a 2-car garage where the only drinking water is from the single toilet that often doesn't work? Where inmates who have yet to be convicted of a crime die from diseases borne of the filth?

I'll stop now. But I will never give another cent to those promoting poverty relief in Africa unless they also propose relief from the inhumane treatment of the continent's prison population.

Ultimately, a society is judged by how it treats the lowest among it. As human beings, we are all diminished by our failure to respond to and intervene in the abhorrent treatment of those rotting in the jails of Africa.

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    The Jailed in Africa Are Left to Rot | 7 comments (7 topical)
    Re: The Jailed in Africa Are Left to Rot (none / 0) (#1)
    by scarshapedstar on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:09 PM EST
    imprisoned in Africa for years without a trial, in cells that house 160 inmates in the size of a 2-car garage where the only drinking water is from the single toilet that often doesn't work? Where inmates who have yet to be convicted of a crime die from diseases borne of the filth?
    Glory be, that sounds like justice was back in Jesus' Day!

    Re: The Jailed in Africa Are Left to Rot (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:13 PM EST
    But I also try to remind people that for all its flaws, America has the best criminal justice system in the world. ...Good God, and you said it with an apparently straight face, too. No, that's no more true than the claim "America has the best health care system in the world" or "America has the best education system in the world". Such things described in the article only happen in American jails kept outside the US justice system.

    Re: The Jailed in Africa Are Left to Rot (none / 0) (#3)
    by Dadler on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:13 PM EST
    Why is the American Justice system better than, say, Canada's? Interested to hear your answer.

    Re: The Jailed in Africa Are Left to Rot (none / 0) (#4)
    by Andreas on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:14 PM EST
    Talkleft wrote:
    I also try to remind people that for all its flaws, America has the best criminal justice system in the world.
    What is that? A display of American arrogance? 1. The United States of America is one of the few states left on this planet with the death penalty. 2. The United States of America organises torture arround the whole world. 3. The United States of America is also protecting some of the worst war criminals on this planet. In fact some of them are leading members of the government.

    Re: The Jailed in Africa Are Left to Rot (none / 0) (#5)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:19 PM EST
    Andreas, with another huge exaggeration about what "the US of A" is. Here's a clue: Bigger than a breadbox. --