Hypothetical Moral Question?
If we can prove with scientific evidence as good as any normal medical research that going to prison terms for more than 20 years significantly increa...
If we can prove with scientific evidence as good as any normal medical research that going to prison terms for more than 20 years significantly increases the chances of cancer, would sentencing people to prison become a cruel and unusual punishment?
We don't sentence people to slow painful deaths and we don't condemn people to live in asbestos insulated houses. Would we be in good conscience be able to sentence people to prison if it increases the chances of cancer?
Sorry. I said a significant increase meaning if you think there is a level of increase where you would call it inhumane.
Assuming it is the behavior in prison that increases chances.
People get all worked up when fat foods increase people's chances of dieing even though it is a lifestyle choice. We complain about creating an environment that encourages that behavior. It is the same for prison. We create an environment that encourages it.
To start with, there has to be a causation for the cancer. For example, we already know fatty foods and asbestos show a direct link to cancer, but they know WHAT the link is.
Simply putting people in jail for extended periods of time increasing the risk of cancer is not sufficient, as there has to be a causation, even if it is increased stress or anxiety.
But somewhere along the line, there has to be punishment for certain crimes as some crimes are horrible and hanus regardless if the increased stress levels are causing them to have cancer. If that is the case, then they shouldnt have done it in the beginning.
If it was an actual cause, something material, then they should remove that. But if it is simply stress that causes the increase, well, sorry about their luck. You cannot let them go unpunished as look at what they did to the poor victim.
Please note, I am only talking about the horrible crimes, not drug possession or the other stupid things they put people in jail for nowadays.
no
yes
did you ever think the people in prison have led lives that would make them more likely to get cancer smoking cigs and dope alcohl and such
Actually, not really. you’d have to show that it GIVES (all) people cancer.
The way you ask the question, the answer is "no". An "increase" (that you propose in the wording) can mean .0000005% to .000001% chance of getting cancer. This isn’t even close to what would be needed to arbitrarily override the states vested interest in keeping the prisoners in prison.
First off it would STILL allow prison sentences of 20 years and less. After that I say bring back execution and executed them, after all why give them cancer and they STILL committed the serious crime.