@mekkaokereke this is 100% true and Americans are completely and willfully blind to it …the abuse and torture we permit in our prisons through the so called justice system is a national and eternal shame

@mekkaokereke https://archive.org/details/60minutes-cecotsegment

@mekkaokereke The justice system in the U.S is so messed up, and yes heavily biased against black people.

@mekkaokereke There’s a throwaway line in that 60 minutes segment making the rounds where the host says the administration is making contracts to hold deportees in countries, to paraphrase, that have known human rights abuses in persons.

When she says that, I had to go “she knows she’s based in America, surely?”

@mekkaokereke

In Australia, of course, we have this situation well in hand by subjecting our indigenous population to laws intended to snare them into the justice/retribution system where they are extremely likely to commit suicide or die under highly suspicious circumstances.

This system is far more expensive than any other socially and culturally appropriate intervention program but any changes would involve seeing the people now termed criminals as victims.

Furthermore cultural programs do not garner right wing votes.

The other problem, with anything other than punitive measures, is that they almost entirely lack cruelty, which is clearly at the heart of our intentions towards indigenous Australians and always has been.

In my state, Victoria, a recent law was passed making it possible for a fourteen year old child to be sentenced to life imprisonment.

Need I say more?

@mekkaokereke

Three things come to mind.

One, when I discovered the Innocence Project, it was hugely eye opening for how absurdly flawed our justice system is.

Two, when I look at places like my home Texas trying to take away or limit bail rights, it's just another way to keep innocent, and specifically poor, people bound by the system.

And three, it is a system. And it's all for profit. And they need those jails filled up.