How is prison supposed to be? Is it just a place where criminals are kept? If it is, then I do not think they deserve even the least food talkless of any healthcare service. But then again, prisons are not just where criminals are kept. In fact I can bet there are as many innocent people in prisons as there are criminals. But then the world is not fair, and in an unfair world, anything is possible. This is no longer a matter about rights, it is now a matter about responsibilities. The government has the duty to take care of these prisoners because they have been handed over to the government by the law. The law found them guilty, restricted their movement to a place the government can have full control over their lives. Now that the government has full control over their lives, does it mean the government should show they are even more of monsters than the criminals? I don’t think so, in fact, I think the government needs to make them feel as comfortable as possible under their care, especially if they will have to release them to the public later on in life.
But then again, should this be at the expense of the free people who have done nothing wrong? The answer is No. The innocent citizens should also be allowed to fully enjoy the benefit of good governance through the health care system. The same way the prisoners should get the protection and care of the government while under their care, is the same way the free citizens should enjoy the full charity of the government which brings us to the question How responsible is our government ? The fact is that if the government can not provide the healthcare services to its citizens how sure are we that they are doing so for prisoners. I have heard horrible reports about how prisoners die from sicknesses that are very common and can be easily treated because they were neglected. At least I know of my country where the government does not care about the welfare of its citizens, how do you expect that they will care for prisoners.
Another thing to bring to note is that the health care system is a basic necessity and not luxury. Even prisoners should have access to those basic necessities in order for them to survive their time in prison. The free citizens however should be given privileges. Subsidy in the health care system for example is necessary. Note that the government funds are spread across multiple areas and can only do so much. The prisoners get the basic amenities because in truth they are fewer than the total population of the country, they do not work and are there to be corrected hoping they can one day come out and be a better member of society. This is why it is mandatory that the government take the responsibility of not just keeping them in prison, but also looking after them so they do not become worse but better than they came in.
THIS IS MY RESPONSE TO HIVE LEARNER'S
PROMPT FOR WEEK 231 EPISODE 2
