Awesome stuff you have to share

[brujon]

One of the prisons here in Brazil started a program by which inmates can have their sentences reduced by reading classical books. Top of the list is Fiodor Dostoievski's Crime and Punishment. Other works by William Shakespeare and other classical authors are also available. They have 30 days to read each book, receive a dicitionary to aid in comprehension, and at the end of the period, are evaluated by the county Judge, who can reduce their sentence by 4 days for each book read and understood.

What do you think of such a policy? Do you think that reading Crime and Punishment and understanding why they're incarcerated will have any impact on their lives when they're released?

[dman11235]

Quite possibly.  I'd prefer a more comprehensive reform and rehabilitation program, but that's a start.

[nijineko]

i'd also add religious works from many sources which focus on community support and values, but education can be an excellent way to address crime. depends on what is taught.

[Kuroimaken]

On a sadder note it probably beats any state education they'd get outside of prison.

[phaedrusxy]

It is certainly possible for criminals to be "reformed", but they have to be self-motivated (want to change) and willing to work for it. I was an active member of a 12 step program for years, and I met people who'd committed all kinds of heinous crimes whom had totally turned their lives around. Of course, many didn't...

[Nanshork]

I don't think this will make a difference.  If I was in prison there I'd just read a bunch of books so I could get out sooner and it wouldn't really affect my life other than that.  Reading books in and of itself won't really change people in my opinion.

[dman11235]

The key is you have to pass a comprehension test.  And it was only a 4 day reduction, for every 30 days spent, max.  Less than a 12.5% reduction.

[altpersona]

i would limit the program to under educated prisoners.

i dont know that a limit on the number of books you could get credit for would be beneficial. if the list of books was like 1000 titles (not that i think there are 1000 classics worth 4 days) but thats a potential 4000 days (just shy of 11 years) and would take (assuming the 30 days is used) +83 years to read. so if you had a 100 year term, you would serve 89ish. in the US if parole is an option, you'll get it well before that.

i would think maybe the list would be more accurate at around 200 titles. or a potential 3 year reduction over a 16 year period. again, in the US if your eligible for parole, that would be quicker.

[ariasderros]

I'll just leave this here, completely unrelated, I assure you. 

To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society.

I wonder how that quote would apply to someone who's already proven themselves to be as much.

[brujon]

The key is you have to pass a comprehension test.  And it was only a 4 day reduction, for every 30 days spent, max.  Less than a 12.5% reduction.

Yup, and the comprehension test is ministered by the Judge who's in charge of processing *all* of the inmates pleas for reductions, paroles, etc... So i'd bet he's going to be pretty thorough (although condescending, based on the average education level of the inmates), before giving them a "pass".

personally, i agree with Nanshork. I don't see it making much of a difference. It would be different if there was mandatory education for all inmates. They don't get out before they have their highschool diploma, at least. This, i wager, would have an impact. They're not doing anything, as is, and this way, at least they'll have some CHANCE of getting something better when they do eventually leave prison.

[bhu]

http://www.meglyman.com/v/Characters/Cephalopods/

http://www.crashoctopus.com/category/cephalopod/
Batthulhu

[Kuroimaken]

The key is you have to pass a comprehension test.  And it was only a 4 day reduction, for every 30 days spent, max.  Less than a 12.5% reduction.

Yup, and the comprehension test is ministered by the Judge who's in charge of processing *all* of the inmates pleas for reductions, paroles, etc... So i'd bet he's going to be pretty thorough (although condescending, based on the average education level of the inmates), before giving them a "pass".

personally, i agree with Nanshork. I don't see it making much of a difference. It would be different if there was mandatory education for all inmates. They don't get out before they have their highschool diploma, at least. This, i wager, would have an impact. They're not doing anything, as is, and this way, at least they'll have some CHANCE of getting something better when they do eventually leave prison.

Back when my mom worked at a small backwater town, she and the local prison warden made a deal with the branch of a certain company where the inmates could work within the prison assembling boxes for their products. It gave the inmates the means to support their families, and something to do. Wasn't an ideal solution, of course, but it was about as good as it got back then.

Fun fact: at least ten different inmates misbehaved or committed felonies once their time was up to get back inside.

[phaedrusxy]

http://www.meglyman.com/v/Characters/Cephalopods/

http://www.crashoctopus.com/category/cephalopod/
Batthulhu

Smurfalopod made me lol

[bhu]

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/messenger/media/PressConf20121129.html

[Libertad]

Free shows on Hulu:

Sword Art Online, a tale about a boy trapped in a fantasy MMO, where dying means death in the real world.

Madoka Magica, a deconstruction of magical girl shows.

One Piece.  A group of pirates in search of a legendary treasure, led by a boy named Luffy who received superhuman stretching powers from a magical fruit.

Bleach, DBZ meets Ghost Cops.

Persona 4, based off of the popular video game.

Key And Peele, a great sketch comedy show.  Not Anime (sorry veekie!).

[littha]

Sadly, only available in the USA. The rest of us will sadly have to do without.

[Libertad]

Sorry about that.

[Jackinthegreen]

Well, thanks to that I've started watching One Piece just to see what it's like.  The fat pirate bitch in episode 1 reminds me of my aunt, but much taller and actually capable of doing stuff.

[altpersona]

im my experience internet content is not restrictable by country. its only restrictable by desire.

you can use a proxy or change your dns servers and hulu should open its doors to you.

[bhu]

Well, thanks to that I've started watching One Piece just to see what it's like.  The fat pirate bitch in episode 1 reminds me of my aunt, but much taller and actually capable of doing stuff.

Fat Pirate Bitch....

this should be the name of a PrC....