So... My little brother is going to prison.

[Nickolai77]

Well, it's a shame but he's broken the law and going to jail, even if you think it's unfair you'll have to adapt to it.

You'll just have to be as supportive as possible for him and do what you can to steer him on the right path. Obviously as adults your ability to do that is limited, but it's better than nothing. When your younger brother get's out he'll need support.

 

[deleted_by_strongbad]

I know what that's like man, it sucks to see your little brother get locked up no matter what the circumstances. Some people do get rehab'd in prison, even though we (the US) are officially using the storage model instead of the rehab. model for lockup. On the upside in the US 3-5 generally means 1.5-3 so long as he keeps his nose clean inside.

 

[Merkavar]

from what you said it seems that rehab would be a better option. get him off the drugs and he wont need to steal.

 

[Jedoro]

It may be 1/4 of his current life, but it's 1/27 to 1/20 of his life expectancy.

Pity for the guilty is treason to the innocent.

 

[Gigano]

3 - 5 years doesn't sound unreasonable for robbery. Certainly not in the American justice system, which I'd have expected to be far less lenient.

His young age have presumably factored into his sentencing, and with any luck it'll also factor into where he'll be placed, when he'll be paroled, and what rehabilitation initiatives (if such exist in the US) he'll be offered while serving his time.

EDIT: Well, for theft/burglary it's quite a harsh sentence, although I presume whether it's disproportionate will ultimately depend on when he's paroled.

 

[PatrickXD]

He should be sentenced for his crimes according to the law, just like everyone else. Should it be entirelyup to the public to pick him, and everyone else who messes up their lives, up? I don't really think so. This is a punishment, not exclusively rehabilitation.

 

[RipperSU]

Robbing people for drugs is just straight up wrong. I come from a place with a huge heroin problem and myself and countless other people I know have been a victim of drug related burglary. My Nan was burgled, her purse was taken containing the only photo she had of her late nephew. Sure, the money was missed too as she was on a pension, but the sentimental value of the picture was priceless. Five years is well deserved for people who do this.

 

[ninetails593]

If only this had happened a couple years earlier so he would be under 18?

 

[Quaxar]

3-5 years? For burglary? Sounds about fine to me.
I mean objectively speaking... as a judge, what would you do to a 19 year-old druggie who breaks into houses probably for drug money?

Most people don't learn if you just scold them for a bit and then let them get off.

 

[Curlythelock]

There are laws and rules for a reason. If you cant do the time then dont commit the crime. Simple.

 

[FC Groningen]

At the moment, I see a lot of people in favor of just punishing and no rehabilitation. Understandable; Rehabilitation isn't a very popular idea currently, which is also because the focus is moving more and more to the victim lately. However, I do think its short visioned eventually and ran on sentiments.

Like I said, rehabilitation has a lot of merits, including a lower redicivist percentage, a lower unemployment rate, higher general welfare and safety.

Also, like I said in a different topic as well; Its well known that ANY human can be driven to commit a crime given the right stimulus and/or situation. Its extended to the idea that any human will commit errors.

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

The problem with the world's criminal justice system is just that, that it's a justice system when it should be a rehabilitation system. Just punishing a criminal doesn't cut it, they need to be made into proper members of society.

 

[Vrach]

I live half way across the country and recently got a call from him in jail. My little brother (19 years old) is facing a 3-5 prison sentence. I know he deserves some jail time, but I think a quarter of his lifetime is a bit much. Sure the kid is a fuck-up, but shouldn't someone so young get some sort of rehabilitation option? As far as American prisons go, I think this will only make him worse off than he was before.

Does anyone with experience with family members going to prison have a decent opinion? I know I'm probably wrong, thinking this way... But this is my little fucking brother. I can't stand the idea that he's going to prison for so long. It crushes me.

Edit : Since most people don't understand the case (Which is completely understandable.)

My little brother has had some issues with drugs. His specific crime was stealing from someone's home (in a non-violent way.)

Bad person? Of course. Unable to be changed? No way. I'm not going to say he's a good kid, because he isn't. But he isn't beyond being helped... I just wish people were more flexible, people like him don't need to spent a decade in prison. They need to be monitored for drug consumption. I'm fairly confident if he was able to kick his habits, he'd be able to be a respectable citizen.

All due respect, but if you think he could be helped, what the hell were you and your family doing for the past x years where he was being and becoming the person that ended up in jail? I'm not saying it's your fault (not nearly my point, really), but I just mean, if you think he can be helped, why do you think some rehab or whatever is gonna help him more than you ever could and can still?

Anyway, 3-5 years is a bit harsh sure, but he should be able to get on parole with good behaviour. You might want to go over there and help him through it if you can.

As for your topic itself, I think prison itself is complete and ineffective bullshit, but that's really more of a philosophical and sociological point we can discuss than a pragmatic one involving your little bro. As far as your situation goes, as I've said above, go there if you can and try to help him through it and get his life back on track.

 

[Tdc2182]

Is it federal or what?

I don't think you really have too much to worry about if he non-violently stole something froma house.

Yeah, it's gonna be difficult for him, but the best you can do for him right now is make sure he calls you every once in a while and make sure he has a welcome place at home for when he gets out.

 

[freaper]

Sorry OP, dura lex, sed lex.

And while I will feel as bad as you do right now should my brother ever end up in jail (which I doubt he will), I can't but agree with that sentence.

 

[FC Groningen]

I live half way across the country and recently got a call from him in jail. My little brother (19 years old) is facing a 3-5 prison sentence. I know he deserves some jail time, but I think a quarter of his lifetime is a bit much. Sure the kid is a fuck-up, but shouldn't someone so young get some sort of rehabilitation option? As far as American prisons go, I think this will only make him worse off than he was before.

Does anyone with experience with family members going to prison have a decent opinion? I know I'm probably wrong, thinking this way... But this is my little fucking brother. I can't stand the idea that he's going to prison for so long. It crushes me.

Edit : Since most people don't understand the case (Which is completely understandable.)

My little brother has had some issues with drugs. His specific crime was stealing from someone's home (in a non-violent way.)

Bad person? Of course. Unable to be changed? No way. I'm not going to say he's a good kid, because he isn't. But he isn't beyond being helped... I just wish people were more flexible, people like him don't need to spent a decade in prison. They need to be monitored for drug consumption. I'm fairly confident if he was able to kick his habits, he'd be able to be a respectable citizen.

All due respect, but if you think he could be helped, what the hell were you and your family doing for the past x years where he was being and becoming the person that ended up in jail? I'm not saying it's your fault (not nearly my point, really), but I just mean, if you think he can be helped, why do you think some rehab or whatever is gonna help him more than you ever could and can still?

Anyway, 3-5 years is a bit harsh sure, but he should be able to get on parole with good behaviour. You might want to go over there and help him through it if you can.

As for your topic itself, I think prison itself is complete and ineffective bullshit, but that's really more of a philosophical and sociological point we can discuss than a pragmatic one involving your little bro. As far as your situation goes, as I've said above, go there if you can and try to help him through it and get his life back on track.

Unless his family are professional social workers, you can't blame them for not being able to help him. In fact, even social workers would have a very hard time to correct their own child. Rehabilitation requires patience, experience, a lot of empathy and a good objective overview. These traits are rare and thus should be left to experts.

 

[Wuggy]

You know, almost every 'criminal' (as in people who go to jail) have some loved ones. It sucks for them, but it's not a thing that should factor into the sentence. The sentence itself does seem a bit harsh considering it's his first offence, but the fact that he's your little brother has no relevance in it what so ever.

 

[TacticalAssassin1]

Tell him not to pick up any soap...

 

[Detective Prince]

Hm, if my little brother broke the law, I'd take him to prison myself. I'm not a mean person, I just feel like the law shouldn't be changed for someone's relationship to me. I know it's hard, my older brother went to prison, but you've just gotta hope this teaches him the lesson he seems to need.