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

[pin-gwin.livejournal.com]

This is a bit misleading photo. Watching this lady live interviews may change your opinion about her appearance. Anyway, an attraction of bad guys is well known phenomenon. There is nothing rational in love, and the men, who manage to understand women, should be immediately imprisoned. It's a crime!!!

[creaze.livejournal.com]

Whatever the conditions their held in, the most crucial right of a prisoner is a hope for salvation, to be released and given the chance for an ordinary life.

[rider3099.livejournal.com]

It seems to me that such women are out of their mind

[pro100-petrov.livejournal.com]

The main right for them is not to be humiliated, killed and wounded,

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Even someone like Charles Manson? Yes, rehabilitation should always be the focus, esp. in juvenile situations but some criminals are beyond all hope of rehabilitation. I think it depends on the seriousness of the offence. I would never want him to be back on the streets and I support the death penalty in some cases.

[pro100-petrov.livejournal.com]

But there are a lot of such women (despite of men, by the way).

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I've seen a lot of pictures and interviews with her. I think she's attractive, but of course this is subjective. :) Not in a model type of way, but in an "Average Jane" sort of way. Plain and natural. Yes, it's a common scenario for women to be attracted to "bad boys," but serial killers takes it to another level.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Olga, I agree! I will never understand this attraction for some women. Maybe they are just fame whores, or looking for a pay day from press/book deals that would likely result from a relationship with someone like Manson.

another silence of the lambs

[pin-gwin.livejournal.com]

His sex is killing....

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

What do you mean not be humiliated? The prison population usually takes care of itself, at least in America. At the bottom of the barrel are rapists and pedophiles. They are commonly killed by other inmates.

Re: another silence of the lambs

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

This is the best film series about a serial killer! No other ones compare. Esp. the first film, Silence of the Lambs, as you mentioned.

Re: another silence of the lambs

[pin-gwin.livejournal.com]

I like "What women want" way better, Mel's powers were temporary and for good....

[pro100-petrov.livejournal.com]

I mean, the prisoners are also human beings

Re: another silence of the lambs

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

The movies aren't comparable. :)) One was a comedy, the other a very dark, psychological film. Mel Gibson is another interesting character with all his anti-Semitic rants but that's a topic for another post.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

So you would never support the death penalty? Sorry, I think some people on earth lose the right to be called "human" based on their horrific actions towards others. But I'm not a very forgiving person.

[pro100-petrov.livejournal.com]

Are you sure that the death penalty could prevent that horrific actions?

Re: another silence of the lambs

[pin-gwin.livejournal.com]

I admire Mel. I guess that his antisemitism was a result of his personal relations that went wrong and he really was badly out of his mind. BTW - as here, older guy with a young lady... Menace waiting to happen.

Re: another silence of the lambs

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

What about an older women with a younger guy? :)) Also a menace waiting to happen?

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

It can't stop the prior actions, atrocities or mental damage caused by Manson's murders. But I would prefer that my tax dollars not be spent to keep a person like that alive. On average, it costs $30,000 per year per inmate to keep them housed, fed, medical treatment...I know some people always maintain the hope that an individual can be rehabilitated at any point, but in my view there are some people who are beyond all hope. Yes, this is judgmental to say, but it's my personal opinion.

[pro100-petrov.livejournal.com]

:) So, you have got better situation than we do. Because the budget of Russia does not depend of our taxes

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

In Russia, isn't there also a flat tax rate? In America, it depends on your salary. So, I'm in a very high tax bracket. Almost 30% of earnings!!

[pro100-petrov.livejournal.com]

But the budget of Russia consists mostly of oil and gas money

Re: another silence of the lambs

[pin-gwin.livejournal.com]

It depends, and the age difference matters too. I personally know a pretty good lasting marriages like that, and that's not uncommon. My grandma was older than grandpa, her first husband was killed in 1942 during WW2, she already had 2 children to him, and she got married again after the war with much younger man. She were really beautiful at that time. Later she got another daughter. So, grandma and grandpa lived together, and died within one year. It was not a Notebook story at all, but anyway..

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

But citizens also pay taxes!

Re: another silence of the lambs

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Good for your grandma! To me, age is irrelevant.