While I knew that Euthanasia was possible in the Netherlands, I didn't know how prevalent it actually was, until I read an article the other day of a 20-something asking to have her life ended due to depression. This made me look into the total amount a little further, and I was surprised to find that in 2022, there was 8720 reported cases.
That is a lot isn't it?
This sounds like a fun topic tonight.
I am not going to get into the various moral positions on it, but I reckon that if someone wants to die, they should be able to choose to, even if they don't have a good reason. I also think that it is better than hanging themselves in the family home, or blowing their head off with a hunting rifle, only to be found by loved ones. But of course, if they get to choose a cleaner way to go with assistance, at least there is a chance to talk to someone before pulling the trigger.
Morbid.
But, after talking with a younger colleague about Soylent Green the other day, I was thinking about this and then, I read another article about someone looking at being imprisoned for 100 years in the US. And, that is also a country that has the death penalty in many states.
Seems like an opportunity.
I don't actually agree with the death penalty, because apparently a fair percentage of them are actually innocent of the crimes they are being put to death for. This doesn't necessarily make them innocent, but I think that if we are going to go that far, we should be 100% certain.
But...
What if they volunteer?
I don't know about you, but prison life doesn't sound like a lot of fun, despite what Orange is the New Black portrayed. However, currently in the US, there are over 1.2 million people incarcerated, with over 96% of them being sentenced to one year or more. But, not only that, there are over 200,000 people who are imprisoned in the US on a life sentence and, there are over 50,000 who are on a life sentence without the possibility of release.
Doing a little bit of math using the average cost of incarceration which is about 45,000, the cost of the lifers is 9 billion a year, and 2,25 billion for those who will never leave the prison.
I wonder, if I was in prison for the rest of my natural life (my supernatural life is a different story) without a chance of parole, I think that I might just say,
Fuck it, Soylent Green me.
NOTE: The premise in the movie is that old people were being euthanized and getting turned into a food product called Soylent Green that was getting fed to poor people.
NOTE NOTE: I don't want to be fed to people, just throw me in the forest and plant a tree on me.
Anyway...
I just wonder, if facing the prospect of a life in prison, or after some time living a life in prison, if there was an option to cleanly check out of the system, how many would take it? Especially for those who know they are guilty, why go through all the pain and suffering and rigmarole of feigning innocence, or futile appeals, when it could just be a simple injection.
Maybe taking this path out doesn't seem fair to their victims or their families, but maybe it is still a better option then spending 45,000 a year to keep them alive. What if for every prisoner who chooses this path, the equivalent amount that would have been spent on them for the rest of their life, will be invested into a community project for the next 20 years instead, like building and maintaining urban parks and greenspaces in local communities that they affected.
Would that make it more acceptable?
Again, this is an "opt-in" possibility, so a prisoner wouldn't be forced to make this decision, but it does seem like it could be an option for some percentage who decide that prison life isn't for them. After all, if I am questioning the value of my life, I suspect that I would do that more, especially if I had to wear orange every day.
Orange is not my color.
The estimate is that there are 650,000 homeless people in the US on the streets each night, which is less than half the number of people in jail. Aren't both of those figures quite amazing? While 45,000 of taxpayer money is being spent each year to house a single prisoner, how much is being spent per homeless person to help them?
Seems like another opportunity.
Some strange Friday night topics perhaps, but I think it is relevant to think about some of the ways and where we use our resources in this world, and this economy. And, it is interesting to consider what some of the less conventional options might be in order to improve the situation, or at least not just keep making it worse.
Maybe prison isn't that bad.
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
Posted Using InLeo Alpha
I thought the suicide option was only available to hopeless cases. I also think that if someone wants to die, they should be allowed to. But for those with depression, I would require them to meet with a good psych to try and help them first. I have read a lot of recovery stories and how meds help. If after a specific number of sessions and both the doctor and patient have agreed to the procedure, only then will they be allowed to undergo it.
I thought it was for terminal cases also. However, there is some clause about suffering and having exhausted all reasonable options, or something like that. Still, better than some other options.
I definitely agree. We also want to protect others from the trauma of seeing someone taking their life in public.
There are so many terrible events in public now.
Sure are! I can't see any prisoner opting for that.
I've become friends with a man who has been on death row in Tennessee for almost thirty years. He has found a way to be one of the happiest people I know. He regrets his actions, and wishes he could see more of his family and friends, but has made beauty a big part of his life on the inside. His joyfulness is contagious. He's made one of the worst places on earth a lot better for everyone there.
Me either, but I think it goes to show then how resilient we are as humans - always live in hope.
I get this. My question is, what about better for the rest? Is it really value adding to society? Making the most of a bad situation, that perhaps shouldn't exist in the first place.
In Finland, the prison system is so different to the US.
Here in the US the debate rages on regarding abortion rights with the pro abortion folks screaming my body my choice, so if it is good for that purpose, then my body my choice should also work well for those choosing not to continue life. You can't have it both ways...or can you? I am not a proponent of either of those scenarios, but other folks have different viewpoints. Life is getting weirder all the time lol
Precisely! Keep it consistent.
I love reading you because you touch on topics that I would like to talk about, but I don't do it maybe because I am a little afraid that they will damage my account, although I do not agree with euthanasia and it is respectable that each person takes his path according to his free will, as for the death penalty I do not agree either, although it is clear that there are certain people who commit crimes so heinous that they do not even deserve forgiveness.
I wonder where the line is, and I also wonder if forgiveness is meant to be hard, which is why giving it is so valuable.
The limit is when they mess with life and the most sacred and pure that are the children. I have an acquaintance whose son was raped and killed and the murderer was arrested several times and released because he said he was a madman who managed to kill more than 200 children in more than 3 countries. I think that does not deserve forgiveness, but I am not the one to judge him.
Totally agree.....right to die must be implicit in right to life and liberty. At the least it will be less painful than suicide.
True.
It is better to risk saving a guilty person than to condemn an innocent one-- Voltaire
I haven't heard that quote before. I like it.
Hmmm...
Thank you.
Prison life is for those who are in a bad way of looking at life. But I am at one with you in some of the cases that when people are way to big in numbers who committed suicide even if their their life was good, in fair luxury and abundance to enjoy along with those who sleep in streets.
We talk about the developed and undeveloped world, how people are suffering in war struck areas, you can still cast your eyes on Gaza and Ukraine and how people are starving, putting to death without any notice or prior predictions that such a lethal attack could happen .
Yet, I view that for every prisoner a chance of "parole" should be there, if they promise not to commit any crime - then they should have a mercy or opportunity to mould their life.
Its a human appeal, every human life should have.
If there is no chance of parole, what is the point of keeping them alive?
Exactly I do view the matter the same.
It is definitely illogical and promising guidelines should be placed to facilitate the issue.
Not strictly related to your topic, but I think those with life imprisonment sentences are actually in a better position than those with say 30 - 40 years sentence. They have nothing to look forward to in life and nothing to lose if they cause trouble.
Whereas if you know you have a chance if getting out you'd be on best behaviour so you don't lose the freedom. Maybe they should get rid of life imprisonment and dangle potential freedom as a carrot to all inmates. It might make prison management a bit easier
For some at least, I think this might actually affect their behavior. "nothing to lose" brings out our worst.
I would like to be fed to wild animals. My only concern is if they would get accustomed to human meat and became more dangerous.
Yesterday I placed an order to buy DEC in Hive engine. So far the DEC still is not bought. Is this normal? From what I remember it did not take so long before.
No idea about the DEC, I have usually swapped for mine on tribaldex
That's a neat idea in a society and in a species that is incorruptible. However, once an incentive is given to end a life, there exists the strong possibility of corruption. One can imagine pressure being exerted on an inmate to choose the "charitable" option. One can imagine incentives offered, such as kickbacks to family members. One cannot imagine all the possible ways the system could be corrupted, but if there is money to be made, it is certain someone will find a way :))
Absolutely - once there is money to be made, no matter how, someone will make the money.
Have you ever realized that people who have been to the prison before are usually not scared of going again. That’s why they become worse after the come out of the prison. This happens very well in Nigeria
I don’t like death sentence too but ex convicts are dangerous in our society
They may cause more harm
I don't spend a lot of time with people who have been in prison, though in Finland, it is quite rare.
Discord Server.This post has been manually curated by @steemflow from Indiaunited community. Join us on our
Do you know that you can earn a passive income by delegating to @indiaunited. We share more than 100 % of the curation rewards with the delegators in the form of IUC tokens. HP delegators and IUC token holders also get upto 20% additional vote weight.
Here are some handy links for delegations: 100HP, 250HP, 500HP, 1000HP.
100% of the rewards from this comment goes to the curator for their manual curation efforts. Please encourage the curator @steemflow by upvoting this comment and support the community by voting the posts made by @indiaunited.
I think it depends but I do think the prison system does need some reforms. At least, I think things should be revised more for things on that aren't as dangerous for society. I don't think people who may have been convicted of murder should be easily released. I don't really like the death penalty either but and I just don't know what is the best option.
In Finland prison for most people means that they have evenings and weekends at home, and can even take holidays. Seems to work better than incarceration.
Depression is really means alot, I was one of people that having it.but I know God Will help me cope up with this.
Depression can be hard on lots of people. I guess the less control we have in our lives, the worse it gets.
I was trying it now sir, and I am slowly healing from it 💛
Oh! The United States would never give up the possibility of marketing, exploiting and making as profitable as possible for the government in power the potential services and free labor that its inmate population would provide them. There is a very obvious reason for their high prisoner population. And it is the fact that only $45k in annual expenses for their maintenance and keep them alive in prisons, it's just a pitance compared with what they can generate and are currently generating for the state.
Congratulations @tarazkp! You have completed the following achievement on the Hive blockchain And have been rewarded with New badge(s)
Your next target is to reach 1590000 upvotes.
You can view your badges on your board and compare yourself to others in the Ranking
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word
STOP