NationStates

I forgot how fun it was to write stuff like this

Actual title is "Prison Reform Act," as of now.

The World Assembly,

Wishing to improve the quality of life for those imprisoned so that imprisonment may be used to reform criminals,

Hereby enacts the following:

1. Prisoners shall be allowed to regularly contact those outside of prison, subject to censorship necessary to prevent criminal activity, and to ensure the safety and security of the prison and society outside of the prison. Prisoners may only contact people who have agreed to be contacted.
2. Prisoners shall be allowed a minimum of one hour of in-person or virtual visitation per month. All visitors and the prisoner must freely consent to the visit.
3. No prison may contain more prisoners than can safely be provided adequate shelter, food, water, medical assistance, range of motion, safety, security, and any other services guaranteed to them by law.
4. Member nations are urged to;
   
   1. Implement reform programs for prisoners in order to prepare them for returning to society.
   2. Take a reformative rather than punitive stance on imprisonment of those who may one day return to society.
5. Prisoners shall be given reasonable access to the news within their nation.
6. Prisoners shall be given access to the knowledge of the rights provided to them by international law whilst in prison.
7. Member nations shall not deport a prisoner to any nation in which the rights provided to them by international law might not be provided.

"Opposed. Bananamen prisons are just fine the way they are and do not require any reforming. I really wish all you bleeding heart liberals around here could move on from your hardon for the rights of murderers, rapists and counterrevolutionaries. Instead you should worry about the rights of honest, hardworking, law abiding citizens and stop presenting them with a great big tax bill to pay for your latest brainwave to make life easier for scumbags."

I believe we've already had a similar prison reform resolution in the past.

Berhakonia wrote:I believe we've already had a similar prison reform resolution in the past.

We have. However, most of the things I implemented here were not covered previously. Namely the private prison ban, visitation rights, gender separation, psychiatric assistance, overcrowding stuff, and clauses 12 and 14.

Edit: Current clause 12 and 14 for posterity

12. Prisoners shall be given access to the knowledge of the rights provided to them by international law whilst in prison.
14. Member nations shall not deport a prisoner to any nation in which the rights provided to them by international law might not be provided.

Jedinsto wrote:

Berhakonia wrote:I believe we've already had a similar prison reform resolution in the past.

We have. However, most of the things I implemented here were not covered previously. Namely the private prison ban, visitation rights, gender separation, psychiatric assistance, overcrowding stuff, and clauses 12 and 14.

I guess I'll have to check again because I was sure previous legislation covered private prisons. Also, and don't quote me if I'm wrong here, but gender seperation and psychiatric assistance might've been included in resolutions not relating to prison reform, but in general.

Bananaistan wrote:"Opposed. Bananamen prisons are just fine the way they are and do not require any reforming. I really wish all you bleeding heart liberals around here could move on from your hardon for the rights of murderers, rapists and counterrevolutionaries. Instead you should worry about the rights of honest, hardworking, law abiding citizens and stop presenting them with a great big tax bill to pay for your latest brainwave to make life easier for scumbags."

“We concur with the delegation from Bananaistan in regards to the charges they make. We also ask why not something pared down which cracks down on inhumane conditions.

And we rather agree with the aforementioned Delegation, this assembly should focus on minds, hearts, and actions of the law abiding rather than making strides in this area that are, on the whole, a bit more than is necessary; put plainly, clauses 11-14 concern me as going just too far on the subject than necessary, your eminence.”

OOC: this is all fine in the context of RL, but I would maintain 11-14 as issues. I know there was a resolution written on extradition at some point (at least I’m somewhat sure of it)-might want to read what it says. Oh, and Death Penalty Ban for clause 2?

Berhakonia wrote:

Jedinsto wrote:We have. However, most of the things I implemented here were not covered previously. Namely the private prison ban, visitation rights, gender separation, psychiatric assistance, overcrowding stuff, and clauses 12 and 14.

I guess I'll have to check again because I was sure previous legislation covered private prisons. Also, and don't quote me if I'm wrong here, but gender seperation and psychiatric assistance might've been included in resolutions not relating to prison reform, but in general.

"Prohibit Private Prisons" was repealed and never replaced, so technically yes you are correct but a ban is still necessary.

gender seperation and psychiatric assistance might've been included in resolutions not relating to prison reform, but in general

Really? Would someone mind finding wat Berhakonia may be referring to? I have no idea

Hulldom wrote:

Bananaistan wrote:"Opposed. Bananamen prisons are just fine the way they are and do not require any reforming. I really wish all you bleeding heart liberals around here could move on from your hardon for the rights of murderers, rapists and counterrevolutionaries. Instead you should worry about the rights of honest, hardworking, law abiding citizens and stop presenting them with a great big tax bill to pay for your latest brainwave to make life easier for scumbags."

“We concur with the delegation from Bananaistan in regards to the charges they make. We also ask why not something pared down which cracks down on inhumane conditions.

And we rather agree with the aforementioned Delegation, this assembly should focus on minds, hearts, and actions of the law abiding rather than making strides in this area that are, on the whole, a bit more than is necessary; put plainly, clauses 11-14 concern me as going just too far on the subject than necessary, your eminence.”

OOC: this is all fine in the context of RL, but I would maintain 11-14 as issues. I know there was a resolution written on extradition at some point (at least I’m somewhat sure of it)-might want to read what it says. Oh, and Death Penalty Ban for clause 2?

"It would be interesting to see how 'something pared down which cracks down on inhumane conditions' might look, and this will be considered.

The law abiding will get their turn. Prisoners are neglected and need a chance to be reformed. I agree that there may not always be something to reform, but I think keeping a prisoner in a box for the rest of their life with only the needs provided by this resolution and past resolutions is plenty punishment."

Edit: I apologize for having to leave mid-post

6. Prisoners of different biological genders shall not be held together for any purpose outside of judicial proceedings.

I thought that in the terminology that defines 'sex' and 'gender' separately from each other, it is 'sex' that is considered "biological" whereas 'gender' is considered psychological instead?
In any case, what of conjugal visits between prisoners?

Bears Armed wrote:

6. Prisoners of different biological genders shall not be held together for any purpose outside of judicial proceedings.

I thought that in the terminology that defines 'sex' and 'gender' separately from each other, it is 'sex' that is considered "biological" whereas 'gender' is considered psychological instead?
In any case, what of conjugal visits between prisoners?

Jedinsto/Second Indus Order collab when?

Bears Armed wrote:

6. Prisoners of different biological genders shall not be held together for any purpose outside of judicial proceedings.

I thought that in the terminology that defines 'sex' and 'gender' separately from each other, it is 'sex' that is considered "biological" whereas 'gender' is considered psychological instead?
In any case, what of conjugal visits between prisoners?

I'll change it to sex. Conjugal visits will be worked in.

Berhakonia wrote:

Bears Armed wrote:

6. Prisoners of different biological genders shall not be held together for any purpose outside of judicial proceedings.

I thought that in the terminology that defines 'sex' and 'gender' separately from each other, it is 'sex' that is considered "biological" whereas 'gender' is considered psychological instead?
In any case, what of conjugal visits between prisoners?

Jedinsto/Second Indus Order collab when?

I'll assume this is a joke but respond as if it isn't.

I think keeping a transgender man with biological men or transgender women with biological women is not good and should be banned.

Jedinsto wrote:

Berhakonia wrote:Jedinsto/Second Indus Order collab when?

I'll assume this is a joke but respond as if it isn't.

I think keeping a transgender man with biological men or transgender women with biological women is not good and should be banned.

Why?

Honeydewistania wrote:

Jedinsto wrote:I'll assume this is a joke but respond as if it isn't.

I think keeping a transgender man with biological men or transgender women with biological women is not good and should be banned.

Why?

Violence and shit

^after some thought and discussion on discord, I’ve decided to leave gender separation to nations cuz so they can handle issues with their species 2500 different genders and the human transgenders don’t get bullied.

/bump

The ban on execution has been removed because a GenSec told me it was in fact enough to make the whole proposal illegal, and the ban on private prisons has been removed because I realized the prisoners within private prisons will still be afforded the same rights and prison staff face the same liability as they would in a government operated prison.

Edit: The part on psychiatric assistance is also already covered by #97, so it has been removed as well.

DaBump

From the desk of Daphine Kelly, Head Ambassador

It is sad to see the world come to a place of such weakness where we find physical punishment offensive. If prisoners are not able to understand words then they must be able to understand actions. Governments must be able to rule as they see fit or war will ensue. We must let the guards keep the people safe.

This is moronic and pathetic. Good to see we care so much about the rights of child molesters and murders

Coronational Chechyans and affiliates wrote:This is moronic and pathetic. Good to see we care so much about the rights of child molesters and murders

That is very well put. Those who break the law face the consoquences.

Matriarchal Rule wrote:

Coronational Chechyans and affiliates wrote:This is moronic and pathetic. Good to see we care so much about the rights of child molesters and murders

That is very well put. Those who break the law face the consoquences.

"It isn't. Basic rights aren't rights if some people don't get them, and systems that normalize abuse for stigmatized persons risk normalizing the same abuse for the innocent. There is not justice in abuse."

Separatist Peoples wrote:

Matriarchal Rule wrote:
That is very well put. Those who break the law face the consoquences.

"It isn't. Basic rights aren't rights if some people don't get them, and systems that normalize abuse for stigmatized persons risk normalizing the same abuse for the innocent. There is not justice in abuse."

"The as of yet unamended provisions which force member states to allow convicted criminals to continue to direct criminal organisations from within prison are indeed moronic and pathetic and have nothing to do with prevention of abuse. If anything, they allow criminals to continue to abuse society."

Bananaistan wrote:

Separatist Peoples wrote:"It isn't. Basic rights aren't rights if some people don't get them, and systems that normalize abuse for stigmatized persons risk normalizing the same abuse for the innocent. There is not justice in abuse."

"The as of yet unamended provisions which force member states to allow convicted criminals to continue to direct criminal organisations from within prison are indeed moronic and pathetic and have nothing to do with prevention of abuse. If anything, they allow criminals to continue to abuse society."

“I hope the new wording of the new clause 1 is a sufficient change. That flaw was not intended though completely overlooked.

“In addition, I have decided to remove the corporal punishment clause simply because of potential repeal hooks and so a more comprehensive and focused resolution may cover it.

Separatist Peoples wrote:

Matriarchal Rule wrote:
That is very well put. Those who break the law face the consoquences.

"It isn't. Basic rights aren't rights if some people don't get them, and systems that normalize abuse for stigmatized persons risk normalizing the same abuse for the innocent. There is not justice in abuse."

“Concurred.

Coronational Chechyans and affiliates wrote:This is moronic and pathetic. Good to see we care so much about the rights of child molesters and murders

“The minimum standards of prisons through international law still do not prevent prison from being harsh on those who break society’s rules. There is also nothing preventing criminals from being sent to prison for the rest of their lives.

Matriarchal Rule wrote:From the desk of Daphine Kelly, Head Ambassador

It is sad to see the world come to a place of such weakness where we find physical punishment offensive. If prisoners are not able to understand words then they must be able to understand actions. Governments must be able to rule as they see fit or war will ensue. We must let the guards keep the people safe.

“Hmm yes, the only solution to war is to oppress your people so they want to leave, seems like sound logic to me. Prisoners can be shackled 24 hours a day if they’re violent, nothing stops that. Beating them for misconduct or just for being in prison is extremely cruel and will only sow discontent and potential riots. Get a clue, ambassador.”

Your point and tone have both been noted. When you go to prison you are paying your debt to society and we determine how that is done in our nation and every other nation has the right to do the same. Please watch your hypocrisy.