Prisoner Rights

[peacetraveler22]

Criminal psychology is a fascinating area of study, at least to me. This week, news spread that 79 year old Charles Manson filed for a marriage certificate to marry "Star," a 25 year old woman from Illinois. She was only 16 when she first discovered Manson on the Internet and immediately became attracted to his environmental philosophy, at least that's the story she tells the press. They speak almost every day on the phone, and she's permitted to visit him on weekends. However, conjugal visits are prohibited, so technically sex is not permissible unless they find creative ways to engage in the act without security guards noticing. Entirely possible! People are always finding clever ways to engage in sex in public places or under tight scrutiny.

I started thinking recently about what rights the most evil and heinous prisoners like Manson should have. Should he be allowed to marry? Have sexual visits with his soon to be wife? Some American prisoners have access to TVs, Internet and books on occasion. The most notorious of killers receive thousands of emails from women interested in pursuing romantic relationships with them. What makes a woman attracted to such a person? I can't understand it, maybe there are some psychologists amongst my readers who can explain? As you can see, Manson's soon to be wife is not some ugly duckling. She's quite attractive and well spoken, yet drawn to a prisoner who committed some of the most horrific murders in American history. Future husband with a swastika tattooed on his forehead? Apparently it's attractive to at least one person. You can hear her explain the relationship in this interview.

I know nothing about the Russian prison system, or how inmates are treated there. What rights do you think prisoners should have? Internet, TV, books, privacy for sexual relations if they're married or have a girlfriend? I'm torn on this subject, not sure how I feel...

Comments

[k-netalie.livejournal.com]

i believe when you take someone's life, you'll lose some of your rights. there can't be a common answer for all the prisoners. it depends of course on the crime itself. if to talk about such criminals as Charles manson whatever right he was given in the prison, they shouldn't allow him to be dabgerous for other people. he's done enough, i think.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Yes, each person is an individual and should be treated as such but this is very hard to do when it comes to mass populations. No government has the resources to dedicate huge numbers of workers, psychiatrists, wardens, etc. to evaluate how prisoners should be separated and even distinguished. Although this definitely happens to some extent - such as determining if someone should be placed in solitary confinement or high vs. low security prison. But I don't think there is much vetting that actually takes place beyond that.

[k-netalie.livejournal.com]

i think you're right.