It is really about the money. On one occasion in the past, I drew both criticism and praise for an unapologetically emotive tone. Consider this post a back up and not a back down of my previous sentiments. Consolidation is good for the soul. So, allow me to describe two important podcasts I listened to yesterday and today and hopefully the dots will join themselves. Apparently, in the late 70s Folsom Prison was the shining light of progressive American prison cultures.
All prisoners lived in their own cells, virtually every inmate was enlisted in a program or had a job, and upon release very few of them returned. It was record envied across the US. Today, over 4, men live in the facility designed for 1, Folsom is entirely segregated by race.
Education, rehabilitation and work programs are down to a few classes with a waiting list of over 1, The real juice of this podcast is the look at the history of this situation: the lobbying millions of the CCPOA, the disguised money, the pandering and the electioneering. Her sentiments are echoed by the Secretary who succeeded her. All of these are available via podcast. The theory backed up by reputable statistics WHO and others is that social problems are more acute in countries with the most inequality.
Affluence has nothing to do with social harmony. Wide differences in affluence can destroy social harmonies. In the more inequitable countries depression and mental health problems are more widespread; there is more friction in family life as reflected in the harshness of the unjust society.
Will I be fairly treated? Inequality is about dominance — not reciprocity — which explains why the harshest sentencing subjugation exists in America — the most unequal of societies. Wilkinson goes on to discuss prison systems and how their harshness is in direct correlation with social inequality. And for the most part the photographs are singularly beautiful in execution.
