Heinz Forum 9/30 - Ethics of Imprisonment: Do We Commit Criminal Behavior while Imprisoning Criminals?

As Heinzers, we’re told again and again to decide between incentives and deterrents. Carrots versus sticks. In a lot of situations, this means money. A $500 incentive if you find a job before 10 weeks on unemployment insurance. A $1000 reduction in health care deductible because you took a health quiz. A $1500 fine for littering on federal highways.

But sometimes these incentives and punishments become literally larger than life. Recently, we’ve seen in the United States that private prisons, rife with their own flawed incentive structures, lead to dangerous outcomes for its inhabitants. This raises a fundamental question of utilitarianism vs. personal liberty: Can the government risk the security of its inmates in order to reduce the price paid by the rest of society to keep criminals locked up?

The American prison system broadly is tasked with many judgment calls:
Should people be locked up for non-violent crimes?
Should people ever be sentenced to die in prison (aka life imprisonment)?
What should be the policy if someone is convicted of an unforgivable crime?
What if the jury gets it wrong?

Do you have an opinion? We’re sure you do. Please join us on September 30th, 2016 in Room 2008 to answer, question, and debate. We’ll be serving tasty snacks, drinks (even a punch!), and heavy conversation with a helping of comic relief.

First-years, please note you are welcome after recitation or exams (good luck on your exams!). Come when you can and join the fun. We have a long-standing open door policy.

Heinz Forum is a space for cordial policy discussion among colleagues. It is open but moderated to ensure everyone has a chance to speak his or her mind. Refreshment provided by the Heinz Journal. Cheers!

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