This proposal doesn't make a lot of sense. Even if we assume that all of the inmates currently assigned to camps need not be incarcerated wouldn't we want these camps to provide less restrictive and harsh incarceration for inmantes currently assigned to higher security classifications? It would also be a good idea to get rid of the silly last statement that the only reason for the camps is to provide slave labor.

2. ELIMINATE mandatory minimum sentences and sentencing guidelines; they are excessively cruel and inhumane. Return sentencing discretion to the courts. Reestablish the balance of power in government.

  I largely agree with this but, as a blanket proposition "eliminate mandatory minimums" goes too far. Excessively cruel and inhumane mandatory minimums are bad. The idea of having some mandatory minimums for some classes of offenses committed by people with certain prior criminal histories is pretty easy to defend. 5 years for 5 grams of crack by a 1st offender is a bad mandatory minimum; 5 years for a crime in which a gun was used to shoot another person by a defendant with  a prior history of violent crime, while still limiting the discretion of courts. is unlikely to be viewed as cruel or inhmane by anyone who doesn't accept the propostin that no one should be incarcerated for anything.

3. MANDATE probation for first-time offenders. Many of the prisoners here are first-time convicts. Their long sentences make them needless martyrs. Long sentences definitely contribute to recidivism. The option of probation will promote resurrection of lawful lifestyles.

  Again this makes little sense (particularly in light of #2 calling for increasing the discretion of courts). Certain 1st offenders should receive probation and I'd argue more than currently do fit in that group. Persons whose 1st offense is an extremely serious offense probably should not im many many cases.

4. RETURN parole to the federal prison system. Parole rewards good behavior, provides motivation for reform, allows prison populations to decline, and tests early the ability of the convict to rejoin society. There is no pragmatic rationale for eliminating the parole system.

   I agree with this and also think the federal system should make more "good time" credit available for inmates who "earn" the chance for earlier release with exemplary conduct. The ability to provide tangible reward for good behavior obviously will encourage it in many cases.

5. ELIMINATE involuntary servitude. This historical remnant should be severed. Slave-labor camps cannot morally be society's answer to punishing criminals. If prison industry is to continue, pay the inmates the minimum wage; the industry will still flourish.

  This is overstated. I see NOTHING wrong with requiring medically able inmates to work and I think it is actually good policy to engage them in work even when the work does not provide "skills" which will be useful on the outside. for many simply being required to to adhere to schedules and put an effort into something is helpful. I will agree that the compensation is indefensibly low (as little as 12 cents an hour with a max of a little over $1 an hour) but I see no reason why inmates should be entitled to minmum wage. it would also be good if more of the employment provided people with training and skills which would increase the likelihood of finding gainful employment upon release.

6. RESTORE conjugal furloughs. The cruelest, most dehumanizing aspect of federal prison life is the forced celibacy entailed within it. The sublimations are horrific. The inmate's essential character is twisted and deformed. Let your imagination smolder on the gruesome substitutes created by prison life. There is no psychological recovery from this privation.

   I have no problem with allowing conjugal vistits to certain classes of offenders who have "earned" the reward through exemplary behavior, but I doubt very much it would have much impact on the frequency or nature of sexual predation or even purely consensual sexual conduct in prisons.

7. ELIMINATE informants from our system of justice. They are singularly responsible for more miscarriages of justice than any other component. The "Judas," the "rat," is universally scorned and isolated at prison camp. The inmate sanction imposed ranges from urination on the informant's bed to assault.

  The use of informants needs to be much more tightly controlled but one really must be the truest of believers to think the use of informants should be eliminated. The balance is too far toward employing informants in ways that pervert law enforcement and the courts but it would also be a terrible outcome if informants could never be employed no matter what the circumstances. The controlled-buy scenario and the dumping on other drug dealers to gain leniency are frequently abused in many respects, but there are times wher extremely serious crimes have been committed by extremely bad people and engaging and rewarding informants is a necessary evil to futher wholly merited investigations and  prosecutions.

  8. RESTORE education and job training. Bring back rehabilitation efforts. The puny efforts at education and job skills are laughable. Most prisoners really care about future success. A prisoner who becomes educated and secures a good-paying job is far less likely to re-offend.

  Agree with this.

9. IMPROVE library facilities. The so-called law library is a sick joke at Lompoc Prison Camp; it consists of a small collection of outdated codes and cases and a few form books. The remainder of the library is a random scattering of paperback books and old public library discards. Prisoners do seek to further their mental awareness through reading. Why deny us books?

1. Retribution which is easy.
   
2. Rehabilitation which works part of the time.
   
3. Restoration (attempt to heal the wounds to society) which works part of the time but is seldom used.

I think we need a more rigorous type of supervised probation combined with aggressive programs of alcohol/drug treatment and aftercare (which the treatment experts say is essential). This means frequent testing, monitoring (bracelet or voice recognition), ignition interlocks on vehicles and the use of electronic kiosks for day reporting.

BOP industries doesn't exist to make money -- it exists to keep inmates busy and to teach inmates trades, as well as "how to be an employee", which is knowlege that many inmates are lacking.  Don't forget that approx 99% of BOP inmates will be coming out some day.

Further, prison camps exist (from the BOP point of view) because they are the lowest cost way to house low-risk offenders.

BOP industries doesn't exist to make money -- it exists to keep inmates busy and to teach inmates trades, as well as "how to be an employee", which is knowlege that many inmates are lacking.

BOP industries are just like any other bureaucracy; they are interested mostly in self preservation.

California is a perfect example with the ridiculously powerful California Correctional Peace Officers Association.

Link

The California Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA) is the California prison guards' union. In recent years the CCPOA has become a major player in California politics. Its political influence has grown to the point that it is widely considered to be one of the most powerful political forces in Sacramento. Its lobbying efforts and campaign contributions have greatly facilitated the passage of legislation favorable to union members.

The CCPOA takes the position that correctional personnel perform a vital public service that puts them under great danger and stress, and therefore makes no apologies for its aggressive promotion of member interests and its high-profile role in California correctional policy. CCPOA's critics argue that the union has become too powerful in California politics, that it has used its power to unfair advantage, and that it has been an impediment to constructive debate and openness about the state of California prisons.

  This was the third time he's been convicted of failing to pay taxes and, I believe, he considers it a badge of honor. I disagree with that and think people should pay their taxes but that's part of his schtick  along with the ragged clothes and eccentric lifestyle (and while schtick-- it's been effective schtick over the years-- in and out of the courtroom).

  Now, for example,  I'd suggest that a person who REALLY doesn't care about clothes would wear inexpensive, boring clothes not clothes intended to draw attention to himself even more than the $5000 Italian suits.

He obviously craves fame and glory and is actually very concerned with portraying  himself as a non-conformist....

Sounds like he is a non-conformist who does not think like most.  

That said, anyone willing to go to prison to prove his bona fides won't have his sincerity questioned by me.

what an arrogant, self-aggrandizing little creep.

awwwwwwwwwwww, let's have a pity party for him! geez, give me a break, will ya? these prisons exist for the purpose of displaying, to the world, that white-collar criminals are treated the same as everyone else, period.

rehab isn't the issue: most of these people are well educated, they're all adults. if they don't know the difference between right and wrong by now, they aren't ever going to. their biggest crime, in their view, was getting caught.

I do not consider myself to be a person who is 'soft' on crime.  As a mother, I think discipline is very important and I do not tolerate bad behaviour from my children; as a member of society, I feel that innocent people must be protected and that law and order must prevail.  But I balk at the idea of retribution.  I just don't see how it is necessary.  This is not to say that we should not have prisons or the range of other consequences for crime.  Prisons are necessary to keep dangerous people away from society, in a place where rehabilitation should take place.  Fines go towards the up keep of the criminal justice system.  The range of punishments themselves I do not in the main disagree with; it is the fact that they are seen as punishment.  There should always be consequences for those who commit crime, but I do not think it makes for a healthy society to punish for punishments sake.  Really, what is the purpose of trying to spread the hurt around?