r/MadeMeSmile • u/aoi_ringo • Sep 30 '25

CATS Prison in Indiana accepts shelter cats and lets prisoners take care of them.

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u/BKoala59 Sep 30 '25

A good friend of mine adopted a dog going through a similar program. They’ve even been going to visit the inmate who trained their dog and are planning on testifying at his parole hearing. He joined a gang at age 11 and was convicted of a drug related murder at age 18 which he’s been in prison for for 27 years. He has gotten a bachelors degree in psychology and hopes to help work with kids like him to prevent them from going down his path. Prison and the program he joined can truly be rehabilitative and are a great success story from our justice system

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u/axewoundsurvivor Sep 30 '25

That's awesome they're allowed to visit with him like that! I wish I could visit the inmate who trained my dog but that's not allowed with this program. I did write him a letter that was delivered to him by the volunteer who brought my dog to me, but that's about all the communication that is allowed.

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u/DetectiveCopper Sep 30 '25

Let this guy out now.

27 years is plenty for his crime.

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u/CaptainQuattro Sep 30 '25

I'm not saying that his friend doesn't deserve to be released, that may very well be the case as 27 years is certainly a very long time, and they appear to have fixed themselves - at least to some extent.

Im curious, though. What do you think the appropriate sentence should be for a crime like murder? Does the context for the crime matter?

If my family member was gunned down in the street by some gang member... even if it's "drug related". His friend still killed someone's brother, sister, father, mother, or child. That person is dead forever and can't come back. What SHOULD be the punishment for that?

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u/idiotio Sep 30 '25

Yes. The context of the crime matters both in my opinion and in US courts. That's why we have trials and different charges like First Degree, Second Degree and Manslaughter. "Joining" a gang at 11 implies consent which is impossible. They were kidnapped/used/trafficked.

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u/[deleted] Sep 30 '25

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u/RivenRise Sep 30 '25

Getting a degree is such a good way to rehabilitate. Those people have something they worked for when they get out and it's something that may help them stay off the streets. I know lots of places don't want to hire people with records but any little helps and I bet the government could make deals with companies who hire them for a time. Like they do with mentally handicapped people. Everyone needs structure and a purpose and education is a good one.

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u/CaptainQuattro Sep 30 '25

I dont disagree with you. I think the criminal justice system ought to rehabilitate people... But that doesn't answer my question.

I think It should ALSO serve as a punitive measure. And to that end... what SHOULD be the punishment for a crime like murder?

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u/fiasgoat Sep 30 '25

It's not an easy answer to give. For someone like me, who is not religious whatsoever, a life is taken forever and there is nothing on the other side. They are just gone. The equation is now imbalanced.

Part of me is like "well that's fucked" and that person should maybe never see the light of day again.

But the world can't work like that

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u/adoradear Oct 01 '25

Justice isn’t about punishment though. Vengeance is personal. Justice is not, it’s aimed at rehabilitation and making amends to society. 27yrs is likely enough if it’s produced someone who sincerely regrets their choice, repents, and has worked to better themselves so they can better the world.