How Prison Sets Inmates Up for Failure: Racism, Mental Illness, Poverty | Shaka Senghor | Big Think

[@jawofajackass4047]

Most people will never understand the importance of what this video means unless they ether go through it themselves or have genuine compassion for human life. Thank you for this!!!💯

[@chadd990]

I hope that most people never understand this, because I hope most people don't fucking MURDER someone.

[@COO415]

Shaka Senghor, articulate, intelligent and simply human. Much respect.

[@Wildestleaf]

Prison should be better equipped with rehabilitation tools and services to avoid the revolving door problem. Eventually once a prisoner is released into society they should at least have some sort of of skill or education taught to them while in prison so they can get a job. No one wants to hire a ex-con much less an ex-con with no skills. Teach these guys how to function so when they are eventually released they won't just immediately jump back into crime, and thus ending up in prison once again. Give these guys skills so they won't revert to crime. It might be easier said than done though. Teach a man to fish.

[@jamesbra4410]

That requires money and people willing to do it. The treatment of prisoners is a reflection of the political situation. Prisoners now would be lucky to get a library. The prison system is always the first thing to be gutted when money for things like education and the military are needed. The police like criminals, it gives them purpose. The modern society isn't going to spend a dime to help felons. Their solution is basically to slap meaningless fees and sentences on you that are hard as hell to get away from, they want you back.

[@Wildestleaf]

I completely agree, The education system is a joke. More math, more science, more books, more options and better choices. The problem is money; and no one likes to spend money to "prevent" things. Money tends to become the solution "after" the damage is done, but you can put the genie back into a bottle.

[@DonSSanders]

PRISON IS LEGAL SLAVERY...AMERICA IS A SLAVING NATION TO THIS DAY!!! Watch "The 13th on NetFlix"

[@alexrromero2273]

all prison s do offer education it is up to you to seek it you can even get books and sign up for Jr College and get books; work packets all that...butt then again was I easily informed of this by the correctional staff , counselors nope cuz they don't give a shit about the convicted...

[@littlewn9280]

MrTardman81 even though these are called " Correctional facilities" they are NOT trying to correct shyt. It is only to terrorize and mind control you...jails and prisons have all been created to break down society period...they want everyone in society medicated,losing their minds and killing each other...its all part of mind control to get you to see your world differently.they will never rehab anything....they will keep this system going like they been doing until something forces them to stop this abuse.....it has to end..this type of thing cant go on forever....capitalism and drug wars must end.

[@82seno]

god trolling is getting so old...i mean i chuckle when i see a good one, but in 98% of the cases is just vile, filthy, racist shit with no other intent than to shock

[@siegherz]

You know what else is getting old? Virtue-signaling and whining about sad sacks over the internet. You understand the term "feeding the trolls"? Because that's what you are doing and no amount of social high-horse chastising is going to change how degenerates act. So do the world a favor and rise above it, don't poke the brain damaged bear.

[@Canukles]

Fahku Google Why do people try dismiss simply asking people to not be total assholes as 'virtue signalling' nowadays? Maybe one must look inward before trying to rebrand being a good person as bad.

[@KenoshaKicker]

I shit-post because I'm unhappy, I'm unhappy because I shit-post. Forgive me lord of KeK.

[@micahholt9895]

Fahku Google It's funny about virtue signalling is another of a trigger word for your ass... or may I say trigger phrase.... Just have been in something new... "drop the mic"

[@no_one_from_nowhere]

This is a really good thing you are doing. Yes some criminals are forever criminals but the majority want to change their lives and move on. I speak with experience. It's been ten years and I'm still working minimum wage jobs. It's my fault for making the choices I have made but I feel I could be an attribute to any business as I've turned my life around and have become a productive man and responsible father

[@PigRipperLAW]

Right on my brother. We need to reform this whole justice system.

[@corkus]

Not many people would hire an ex-con over another applicant it's as simple as that. What bugs me the most about this is that people seem to make it solely a black issue, it's doesn't get any easier no matter what your skin colour is.

[@Mariomario-gt4oy]

Unfortunately the prison system does almost nothing to rehabilitate people as it is a money making system. Beyond that, the amount of fucking racist imbeciles in the comments is pathetic.

[@Chukwu_TC]

20 years to catch up GOD DAMN i would be fucked...

[@chadd990]

Yeah, but imagine being murdered and never being able to catch up with anything ever again.

[@nekhrunoblivion]

Hey Guys, This Is My New Name would you never murder? Empathy is not only to put yourself on the victims shoes, but on the agressor as well. Can you imagine the chain of events that had to happen to him for him to actively choose to murder?

[@sweejinyap315]

I read somewhere that some American prison systems are privatised. Is that true? Is it really a kind of business?

[@shufdog]

Swee Jin Yap yes

[@ahmedanderson5480]

90% of inmates will return and 90% of businesses will fail within the 1st yr. The odds are stacked against but for successful people its worth it.

[@HaploidCell]

Blows my mind that it was thought OK to take out teaching crafts, educational programs, etc. it seems obvious that people who are locked up are bored out of their minds. that seems, in fact, be part of the punishment. But in this very controled environment, it seems equaly as obvious that you have to put into the system what you want to get out. Like, given opportunities to learn something constructive, these prisoners will have something to carry back to society. If you take out constructive learning possibilities, the only subjects that remain are those that the inmates carry. And what you can learn under those topics is what got these men and women into trouble, and then prison, in the first place. Basically, if you deny them the opportunity to better themselves in constructive ways, they're going to better themselves in ways that you do not want. You turn the prison system into an extended learning experience on how to become a better criminal. It's like takeing 1-on-1 tutoring seminars on Burglary, Minimizing Forensic Evidence, Deafeating Electronic Security Systems, Armed Robbery 101, See also: Crowd Control, plus everyone wants to get out, so you might as well host self-taught seminars on legal loopholes and exploiting jurisdicial procedure.

[@GokuTheSuperSaiyan1]

If people were truly conscious of their own potential for malevolence and evil, they would be more understanding of criminals, and why it is we should orient our treatment of criminals towards rehabilitation rather than retribution.

[@DavidTitus_]

Everyone's born innocent until they are judged and mistreated, and so they get angry, confused and lash out. Prison should always be focused on helping people, further judging people does no good at all. They, we, all have the same potential to open our hearts and live as saints.

[@PersonalPower]

I agree with him that you should get a second chance once you've done your sentence. But then again I'm split up, because rapists and child abusers are f*cking horrible. Its kinda schizophrenic but I can't stop it. Yes people deserve a second chance, but I can't quite forgive rapists and so on for whatever reason. I think murder is one thing and I can actually forgive it and hand out a second chance, but if you rape a little kid I can't really forgive you, thats more then one bad moment. I have to make a line somewhere.

[@Sillesiann]

This comment is a crime on grammar.

[@PersonalPower]

well gotta let out my brutality somewhere

[@majav15mg]

Personal Power Just be aware that the definition of "rapist" has been expanded to include people of 18 years of age who have consensual sex with 15 year olds. So be careful with your judgements. This also applies to "sex offenders". It's unbelievable how easy it is to get labeled as one.

[@PersonalPower]

its detrimental enviroment yeah. But every now and then there are people that make the best out of their miserable circumstances. There are inmates that spend their time reading and learning. So it clearly is possible to come out ahead. Locking criminals up is somewhat needed I think. the question is whether they learn and spend their time wisely, while they are in prison. Give these people some education while they sit in prison. Lock them up and throw books in their faces would be my approach.

[@holtmankid]

Here the thing, American prison system is broken in so many ways it not even funny and this video highlights a problem that many caparison have faced

[@licdaysi]

I think this is more profound than what it seems to be, I don’t want to defend people that have committed horrible crimes and they have enjoyed it, I’m not defending those who have been given more than one opportunity to get better and they blew it, neither I’m not defending the ones that woke up one day and just decided to killed somebody for fun or just being involved on ilegal things that are obviously condemned by society for personal satisfaction. I defend those who have never being the kind to commit a crime whatsoever, for those who a moment have changed their lives and every one around them. It is so inhuman to feel disgusted for only one time mistake and whoever judges and say they are Christians, are a total fake and are not allowed to even look at God’s eyes or being under his presence ; these people struggle to forgive themselves every day ! Regretting every second of that failure and sometimes they never get to forgive themselves, sometimes they just decide to kill themselves. The society ban, rejects, take away any privileges and make these people feel that they have lost even the right to live in our planet they did not built. Who are you to decide that? Who the fuck are you ??? Who doesn’t make mistakes??? Why don’t we understand that we struggle with being good, even the very good people and that we are temped to fail 24/7-365 days every time we step out our own home doors, tell me ??? Why do we think that we own people’s lives ???? Why can’t we just understand each other’s issues and we expect others to understand ours ???

[@christinefunk7521]

I believe as much money as the prison system receives, it should include rehabilitation and education to prepare those who are incarcerated​ so they don't feel the need to commit crimes again in order to survive once they are released from prison.

[@louv5166]

A life-long record is the new Jim Crow. Once you enter the system, you are marked for life, no matter how small the offense. You are legally discriminated against in employment, housing, education and many other facets of life. The formerly incarcerated should have the opportunity to truly move on and move forward. In the past, you could just move to a new city and start a new life. Now, instant background checks and forever digital records prevent that. It could happen to you. This must and will change, somehow, some way, some day.

[@stopfidgetting]

Interesting, and some good points in there. I'm wondering, though, if you knew how angry this video would make people. Even if what he says makes sense, hearing it from him seams to be impossible for most people.

[@levinb1]

We still have the same old Jean Valjean and Inspector Javert spinning circles around each other.

[@MsTake012]

Honestly, one of the best videos I've seen on BigThink. The issue is not about people who end up in jail, but the lack of access to ex-cons for them to escape the cycle. Also the racial disparities in the US is horrendous. We need prison reform, especially with private prisons making profits because of the high turnover rate with ex-cons. It's disgusting and deplorable (thanks Hillary 😉)

[@Cheersthewinners]

He talks so intelligent

[@daniellejohnniehill3346]

Hmp oakwood offers cbt courses for prisoners yet the majority of prisoners that need it are never offered

[@Cucom1959]

We need tuition free college/ university and a living minimum wage to get people off the streets and give them a way to make money other than gangs. Also, we need more rehabilitation, less incarceration. When people get out of prison, we need to help them get back into society.

[@TheVigilante2000]

People and the system itself is very forgiving to people that have a bad moment. These guys are career criminals. They have many many bad moments. Bad moments over and over again. People rightly should try to avoid those type of people.

[@yeshua_base64]

We should start paying criminals to not commit crimes.

[@RamenAwesomeNoodles]

People keep talking about personal responsibility, but really don't seem to get the math here. If there are 100 inmates, 50 from a high-end prison with rehabilitating programs like counseling, education programs, ect. and another 50 inmates from a shitty prison with none of these things what will the results be? Yes - MORALLY - every single one of those inmates should come out and be responsible and get there life back on track. But fuck morals. What do the numbers say? Cause I'll bet my bottom dollar the inmates from the better prison will be more likely to get there life back in order and those from the shitty prison will get sucked back in to their old life of crime.

[@nickmagrick7702]

if you wanna help people you gotta be willing to sacrifice, bottom line. But its also true that if you want to plan for the best possible future with the highest standard of living, you have to be willing to help people.

[@craigchapman4811]

power to the wise words my man

[@shaunbyrne3227]

I pretty much agree. I don't believe in retributive justice, rather rehabilitative.

[@mrshanejd]

Do the prisons have access to therapy or is it just the chaplain. A therapist setting would help some for sure

[@alexrromero2273]

Amen brother I been through all that.some people will never understand... Also we must get out that web even if it means our inner circle of acquaintances...we must rise get educated in business economics marketing all that nice shit so we won't have to worry about Enemigas.banging.racism all that small time poverty induced hate and focus on numbers $ making sure they don't drop butt then again its through education we must first grasp...

Don't claim that the prison system is racist. Equality of oppurtunity and outcome are two totally different things. As a minority, I understand that the disproportion of minorities in prison is representitive of the disproportion in crime rates.

[@ganjiblobflankis6581]

The people that are incorrigible criminals usually end up in prison (unless they are smart and get into politics or finance). What is prison doing wrong that these people keep committing crime? Letting them out into society again. #notall just the proper wronguns.

[@chescarino]

so in summary: systemically

[@ZoosheeStudio]

Why did they lighten his skin for the thumbnail?

[@happytx1860]

It would be better for inmates to have a marketable skill and prepared for life outside of prison. I'm sure many people will disagree. Oh well. Thanks

[@Tary88]

Prison is punishment for THEIR behavior, not a go to college on the taxpayers dime system.

[@happytx1860]

I agree with you on the punishment aspect. If they are prepared with a skill or education to live outside of prison it would lessen the likelihood of reentry into prison. So you pay either way. I would rather have them work & pay taxes than to rot in prison. It would not be perfect but what we have now doesn't work. Thanks

[@UselessShyte]

Here is an idea..... don't do stupid shit that gets you sent to prison in the first place..... problem solved. Beyond that......if you blame all your shortcomings and inabilities to lead a crime free life on everyone but yourself, then you are the problem and prison is probably where you belong.

[@hannahsps4699]

What is his crime

[@azzarobertson95]

Prison doesn’t set people up for failure, people set people up for failure.

[@nosotrosloslobosestamosreg4115]

At least, Shake has some introspection, that's a rara avis in terra among blacks.

[@CraigCastanet]

I'm sure it's not safe to comment here.

[@mayhsiang6845]

Is this a prison environment？Is this reason people corner me？Why people put me in this environment at the first place. Do I have been jail because I had only one boyfriend and sexual scene been filmed?

[@Thor.Jorgensen]

To all the naysayers. Wonder why recidivism rates in Europe are so low? Even in prisons where it's mostly immigrants, it somehow works better than the hard time prisons in America. Oh it must just be some sort of miracle that repeats itself.

[@RynoZ]

Comment sections are poison

[@erikshure360]

Rhyme Jones welcome to the internet, get used to it.

[@kodybuffettwilson]

Weird how Big Think mentions the majority African American prison population in the prelude description, but nowhere in the actual video does this guy mention it or this being an essay aimed primarily at black people or inmates.

[@cristincody]

True, it applies to every race and gender.

[@noseyparker6969]

THEY COMPLETED THEIR JOB....MOVE ON

[@jamesbra4410]

No offense, but I don't even think that you understand society lol. The economy and society are integrated based solely on trust. The loans you take to succeed, the relationships you make with people, and the relationship with the government and your income. The society is basically telling straight up to your face that they don't like you. You will always be discriminated against and continuously will be denied the right to live well. The society can deny you the right to live, get higher education, and earn an income. Your best bet would be to find another place to pay your taxes to because you are wasting your money paying tax to a state that wants you dead.

[@All4mula]

no shit prison aint a reward

[@chadd990]

I bet the liberals would agree with you if you said the same exact thing, but your profile picture was Hilary and your username was Mad'am President Hilary Clinton, Praise be to Feminism.

[@theprovocativeshow]

angry racists in 4,3,2,.......

[@cne1975]

Those naughty waycits again !

[@berylgreen1973]

"In the summer of 1991, Shaka Senghor shot and killed a man." -- Wikipedia Enough said. You can serve your time, but you will never erase the stain of being a murderer, no matter whether MIT aks you to lecture on they campus. Where was his "genuine compassion for human life" when he gunned someone down?

[@hoodhumanitarianllc7693]

That person probably didn't know what life actually was. Our politicians kill all the time but we still forgive them without reason.

[@smithsfan425]

Not there, because his life experiences led him up to that.

[@18T220]

I'd love to see a black man *NOT* talk about race and oppression... is that possible?

[@Petey0707]

Why would they ignore the primary thing that motivates their culture and society? We Americans like to think everyone has equal rights but if you're born poor, into a poor society, with low education and high crime you're probably going to end up being part of it one way or another. Poor societies aren't like middle or upper class, it's dog eat dog, and if you're weak you will be killed if not by gangs or the need to survive then the system itself via police.

[@americantroy77]

You're the worst type of person. I bet you think Blacks should not protest and you probably think that rich Black people are ungrateful if they do. So I guess Black people should just STFU so you can live your privileged life in your safe space?

[@chadd990]

I'd love to see BLM activists talk about how privileged they are compared to people in other countries where they really are starving, where they really don't get any support, where the government really does attack their citizens. Nope, black americans have it worse than any other group of people on the planet, and it's been that way since Jebus.

[@mrnarason]

Look up David Carroll

[@MusicbyWordPlay]

Of course it is, listen to the issues they're addressing and maybe help us to address them as a nation. We are a first world country with the highest incarceration rate. And that is hugely disproportionate toward the black population. You should be embarrassed and frustrated, but not at him, that he even has to bring it up again but apparently people like you like to pretend it isn't there.

[@JuspaPvP]

Would have preferred a white guy.

[@KidoBedo]

So after an 8min video it came down to, "its societies fault". Got it

[@Mariomario-gt4oy]

TheOnlyAdamRoca no but you're a dumbass

[@ArgentumEmperio]

Have you seen any of those videos where people take a photo of themselves every day for a year to see how they change each day? They are quite something... but, I have yet to see one of these videos where they showcase how much they have changed after 20 years... boy, that would be something! Point is this: Everyone makes mistakes, some more severe than others but mistakes are still mistakes and you gotta pay for them. Sometimes its something as simple as a slap on the wrists and sometimes its 20 years in prison. However if we only leave it at a punishment and think that "That's that taken care of" then we relapse and same thing happens again. That's the point of the video. Whether if its society or not, doesn't matter. What matters is this: tossing someone into prison for anything ain't a solution, it is a necessary precaution... so that's what it should be treated as and not as a solution.

[@KidoBedo]

ArgentumEmperio philosophicaly I sort agree. If you mess up and hit hard times or make horrible decisions then it would be nice if the community had more options to assist those people who want to change and not just use the system too their advantage to just continue doing what they want to do. People who are together in the area where your success matters in the long run. But again, it's sad to say but no where, does it say, society owes you or that you're entitled to another chance or shot at life to make up for you're own mistakes. Everyone makes their own life choices and the majority of people don't care about you unless you're family or a friend. So being stuck between those ideas is the reality

[@theeasternfront6436]

Not at all what he said.

[@TestMeatDollSteak]

He didn't blame society for the crime he committed, or even for being punished for that crime. He blamed the criminal justice system for failing to prepare convicts to become productive members of society after their release, and also suggested that most of society doesn't really seem open to giving convicts a second chance, regardless. So, he basically told it like it is.

[@randyhandbag]

Dont be a scumbag and commit crimes and you wont go to jail. Simple as. Jail is not supposed to enjoyable.

[@holtmankid]

If it was only that easy.

[@randyhandbag]

holtmankid it is that simple

[@smithsfan425]

I thought it was that easy too, but clearly somewhere along the way people are led astray, sometimes because of issues out of their control. If these factors didn’t exist, then we probably live in a perfect world. It isn’t.

[@gabrieljames4186]

This guy has the cheek to blame societies views about hardened criminals and murderers on racism and also drops the argument that society should be more forgiving. If i killed someone id fully expect to be ostracised from society, i crossed the sacred line by ending someones life. To then move on to blaming the prisons for the recidivism rate is another foolish joke, these people are put in prison to reflect on what they did but most importantly to suffer the consequences of their actions, yes suffer. Clearly jail isn't harsh enough if so many of these criminals are more than happy to find themselves back in jail living a life which is far cushier and less stressful than the one outside of jail. I'm personally not that keen on the idea of teaching these people skills, college courses or degrees when in prison as they have lost that right however if it proves to reduce overall crime rate and recidivism then i can't argue with it.

[@Petey0707]

Politicians kill people everyday, as do soldiers, yet we celebrate it.

[@MeanKno]

So you think if you hit and kill someone with your car by mistake and you plead guilty because you recognize you crossed that "sacred line." You end up in jail for however long, but then when you get out society should say fuck you. Prisons have four major purposes:retribution, incapacitation, deterrence and rehabilitation. You do realize rehabilitation means preparing prisoners for integration into society right? However, as he said that doesn't happen. You mistakenly kill someone with your car, but when you get out you're fucked. Times changed, can't get jobs or housing, you have no skills or if you did it's no longer relevant because you have a huge gap on your resume.....I mean....really think about what you're saying man....Besides your very last sentence you didn't really apply any critical thought.

[@MrMiniash]

Its always somebody else's fault.

[@MeanKno]

I don't think that's what he's saying. Let me provide an analogy. There are two schools: One school has top of the line teaching techniques and the other just has bare minimum teaching techniques. If you compare a student from each school you have a host of possibilities, but we all expect that the student from the better school will do better. Sure you can argue that the student from the bad school can do this or that to be better than the student from the better school, but in reality if both students use the same level of effort the student from the better school will do better more often than not. GETTING TO THE POINT: Now compare 2 students from the bad school: One does good in life and the other doesn't. The one that does good takes time to list all the ways the school they went to failed to prepare them and describes why other students from that school aren't doing so well. Is that student blaming the school or providing constructive criticism? Think man....

[@PigRipperLAW]

Nobody is an island. Everybody has people around them. They can make life easier or harder. Your illusion of independence is false. Can't be at fault for good or bad luck. Walk a mile in someone's shoes then tell me you'd be different. Scientifically you'd be in the same situation.

[@Sillesiann]

Should have went to school

[@marcow.7064]

j k He ain't the only one who should have "gone" to school

[@2010COBHC]

did you watch the video? He was taking college courses in prison before the government removed funding for it

[@KalElKryptonsFinest]

j k Irony always amuses me.

[@cerealkiller1457]

j k 'Gone' to school, professor 😎