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US Supreme Court Upholds Indefinite Confinement
An anonymous reader points out the news that the US Supreme Court today upheld a law that allows the federal government to keep prison inmates behind bars beyond the end of their sentences, if officials determine they may be "sexually dangerous" in the future. The case involves one Graydon Comstock, who was certified as "dangerous" six days before his 37-month federal prison term for processing child pornography was to end. The vote was 7 to 2. Three of the justices who concurred with the decision raised an objection to the broadness of the language used in the majority opinion, written by Justice Kennedy.
Actually it is even more limited than that - they have to be mentally ill as well as "sexually dangerous".
Another obvious issue with this ruling is that "Sexually Dangerous" just sounds like a Prince song.
Every year during my review, I just pray the words "slashdot.org" aren't mentioned.
No, we only imprison the insane for four years, eight if they're re-elected.
It's a small world and it smells funny; I'd buy another if it wasn't for the money; Take back what I paid (SoM)
^^^^^^^ Isn't that what got him into trouble in the first place.
The other important point here is that today they limited the application of life without parole, saying it was cruel and unusual punishment to apply to a juvenile who had not committed a murder. This bring America closer in line with with the human rights standards of the Western World.
-- IANAL, this isn't legal advice, and definitely isn't legal advice for you. Also, Squee!
Here in the state of Denial, we still have plenty of rights.
Are we going to start seeing 18 year-olds locked up forever because they had sex with a girl a few months younger than them?
Good question. I'd say this will make most horny 18 year olds think twice about their choices.
On a related note, I'd say the cougar lobby considers this to be a win.
Have gnu, will travel.
Modded -1, Brown Noser.
A programmer is a machine for converting coffee into code.
"A true child rapist should go away for life in prison. "
They should be permanently confined in an insane asylum instead. That isn't "punishment", and can last a lifetime without fuss. There is greater scope for controlling them, such as involuntary administration of drugs to make them docile and convenient for staff to handle.
Society doesn't need such people, it's inconvenient to kill them, but no one can quibble with a "medical" solution.
"This post is an artistic work of fiction and falsehood. Only a fool would take anything posted here as fact."
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You are welcome on my lawn.
You've seen Terminator 2? Where the doctor is talking with Sarah Connor? It's not entirely unlike that at all.
Well, except for the part where the two cyborgs show up and duel it out. That part was totally made up. I'm hoping. Please tell me that doesn't happen at your prison?
"I don't care about the Constitution!" --Bill O'Reilly, November 17, 2009