[isthisnickcool]

On the other hand consider the justifiable outrage here at the 2 border patrol agents currently locked up.

It's simply not "very easy to end up in slam in the United States, even if you're 100% innocent." Out of the several 100 million people in the United States a very small percentage have ever been in jail. Should I assume from b-chan's post that most of you folks have been in jail? I don't think so.

In the case of the border agents note the outrage and all the effort by so many people to get them bailed out or pardoned. That's 2 border patrol agents out of about 11,000.

[saganite]

Let's just say my faith in the fairness of the judicial system has waned somewhat in light of Janet Reno's jailing of the family in the child abuse cases in Florida, the Duke rape case debacle, Rush's brush with a grandstanding DA, Libby's show trial etc etc.

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

You miss the whole point.
1. Yes, if you are the 1 % that is innocent and beaten or raped..so what about statistics?
2. this should not be happening in American prisons...and all of you Maroons who think its "not so bad" are justifying it!

[Jack Black]

1.3% of the US male population is in prison at this time. That makes it likely that close to 2% have been there. With 2 million plus inmates, if even only 1/10 of 1% of them are innocent that is 2,000 innocent prisoners.

Also, consider that the example in this case: the guy went to prison with a drinking problem. He will come out with AIDS, perhaps as a sexual predator. He may choose to take his frustrations on on children. He may become a rapist. Or maybe he will just become a street bum. One thing that is sure is that he is unlikely to reintigrate into society and have a nice family life.

So, we have turned him into a lifetime liability by our inability to control the gangs running our prisons. What will he cost the taxpayer by the time he's run out his life? Millions and millions.

[monday]

"Out of the several 100 million people in the United States a very small percentage have ever been in jail. Should I assume from b-chan's post that most of you folks have been in jail? I don't think so."

A larger percentage than you realize, obviously. No I haven't been in jail, but I know several who have. Some deservedly so, others mistakenly. It is pretty easy to end up in jail in the US. Heck, just look at all the celebrities who have spent time in jail. Usually when people are arrested it is because they deserve it, but sometimes all it takes is being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Even if it was as rare as you state however, if it was you, or your sister, or mother, would you still say rape was acceptable punishment for having the misfortune to be arrested and incarcerated?