In this thread we post our most :LIB: takes, and discuss whether that is the logical end point on a given topic or whether we need to lose that last bit of liberalism.
In this thread we post our most :LIB: takes, and discuss whether that is the logical end point on a given topic or whether we need to lose that last bit of liberalism.
I think the best framing for this conversation is "prison as an absolute last resort," not "prison abolition." You're right, some people do need to be separated from society, and even if we make that as limited and humane as possible it's still imprisonment. Using a term like "abolition" non-literally muddies the water right off the bat.
Besides, if prison conditions are improved to the point where prison is no longer synonymous with being beaten and raped, "imprisonment" takes on a far different meaning. If your average prison looks like this instead of Shawshank, that's going to change the conversation dramatically.