Bernard Harcourt is finding some very interesting and powerful correlations between crime rates and institutionalization rates. And you can't just look at prisons. I'm not an expert in the field, but I suspect that this may be groundbreaking, with some interesting implications for public policy.

Correlation does not equal causality. That said, the common sense side of this is pretty hard to overlook. That and a fundamental understanding - young men are the perpetrators of most violent crime.

That and a fundamental understanding - young men are the perpetrators of most violent crime.

The higher the percentage of young people the higher the crime rate.

Not to shock anyone but Clinton pointed to this fact some ten years ago. He said we were experiencing a demographically induced reduction in crime. He said we had a window of opportunity to more permanently reduce crime. He gave us midnight basketball. Such is life.

While prisons serve a purpose by keeping dangerous criminals off the streets, the concept of large, centralized facilities is fundamentally flawed. Without sacrificing control and security, facilities should be highly decentralized, small, and effectively prevent inmates from interacting with each other in any way. This destroys and prevents the formation of prison gangs that spill over into the streets, eliminates the violent subculture that exists in prisons today, and would also serve a major rehabilitation role by limiting all prisoner contact to immediate family and corrections personnel.

Brain says: and would also serve a major rehabilitation role by limiting all prisoner contact to immediate family and corrections personnel.

You're of course assuming two things...one, that the family of the criminal is still alive and willing to see them and two, that such visitation would help. Its interesting that the solutions you have would ALWAYS work. A nearly astronomical amount of "what ifs" would mysteriously come together without a planetary alignment, just to make your plans work. I'm voting for you Squiddie.

> Without sacrificing control and security, facilities should be highly decentralized, small, and effectively prevent inmates from interacting with each other in any way.

Preventing inmate interaction isn't a function of centralization or size.

And, "no interaction" is basically solitary. There can't be enough staff to provide meaningful social interaction and family can't spend enough time at prison unless they give up most other life.

BTW - Family and friends are often a big part of the reason the person is a criminal.

Mac: "You're of course assuming two things...one, that the family of the criminal is still alive and willing to see them and two, that such visitation would help."

The former aren't assumed at all, and the latter is pretty well established. Most family members of criminals are not themselves criminals, and regular visits from them provide an emotional connection to the outside world that can motivate progress.

Regardless, the main point of my suggestion was to destroy the criminal subcultures that are incubated in prisons, and which lead to so much of the crime America suffers. With decentralized incarceration and total isolation of inmates from each other, even in terms of communication, over time it would substantially reduce crime.

"Its interesting that the solutions you have would ALWAYS work."

First of all, nobody would suggest something if they didn't think it'd work. This is blindingly obvious, and your failure to recognize it is bewildering. Secondly, rather than making a petulant comment like this, why not point out flaws in the idea AND make suggestions about how to remedy them?

"A nearly astronomical amount of "what ifs" would mysteriously come together without a planetary alignment, just to make your plans work."

Such as?

Andy: "Preventing inmate interaction isn't a function of centralization or size."

Nor did I claim it was, but decentralization and small population further prevent the continuation of prison culture. In a large, centralized institution, money can be concentrated to corrupt guards and undermine even the strictest isolation, and the density and scope of the operations make it easier to operate under the radar.

"There can't be enough staff to provide meaningful social interaction and family can't spend enough time at prison unless they give up most other life."

I disagree, and the staff might be augmented with volunteers from nonprofits. When they couldn't be interacting with others, they would be doing work related to that interaction and rehabilitation--and I don't mean making license plates. Once the pervasive violence and *culture* of criminality is eliminated from prison life, communities may find the logistics of incarceration much easier to handle, and people with the right skills may not be as afraid of working with prisoners.

Also, in place of the weights that most prisons have, which only produce super-strong, super-aggressive criminals, exercise should only involve aerobics. Aerobic exercise creates mellow, healthy moods, and has been used effectively in many juvenile facilities.

"BTW - Family and friends are often a big part of the reason the person is a criminal."

If that's the case, then that's something they would have to learn to work through to escape from crime.

Brian says: Most family members of criminals are not themselves criminals, and regular visits from them provide an emotional connection to the outside world that can motivate progress.

You're assuming that the family will want to see the criminal. That is in no way a given. Especially in the case of domestic violence.

He said: destroy the criminal subcultures that are incubated in prisons

Definitely agree there.

He said: First of all, nobody would suggest something if they didn't think it'd work.

True, but when suggesting things, use the word "could" versus "would". It may be arguing semantics, but I've noticed you nearly always stating that your ideas WILL work versus MIGHT work. You say things that way long enough, you begin to believe it too.

Brian says: Also, in place of the weights that most prisons have, which only produce super-strong, super-aggressive criminals, exercise should only involve aerobics. Aerobic exercise creates mellow, healthy moods, and has been used effectively in many juvenile facilities.

An excellent suggestion. I would include with that, oraganic food without artificial coloring or refined sugars which also lead to aggressive behavior in both adults and children.