Across the United States, hundreds of jails have eliminated in-person family visits over the last decade. Why has this happened? The answer highlights a profound flaw in how decisions too often get made in our legal system: for-profit jail telecom companies realized that they could earn more profit from phone and video calls if jails eliminated free in-person visits for families. So the companies offered sheriffs and county jails across the country a deal: if you eliminate family visits, we’ll give you a cut of the increased profits from the larger number of calls. This led to a wave across the country, as local jails sought to supplement their budgets with hundreds of millions of dollars in cash from some of the poorest families in our society.

  • Chee_Koala@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    Wow, so when they enjoyed unlimited power, they… Abused it!?

    People now a days are really off the rails man. Back in the day, absolute power didn’t corrupt. It only tickled. Slightly.

    /s

    • shneancy@lemmy.world
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      3 months ago

      back in the day? you mean the stone ages?

      there is not a day in written history where we can’t read about a person corrupted by power

      • Chee_Koala@lemmy.world
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        3 months ago

        Very true, shneancy. It was a sarcastic reaction, it seemed so obvious te me but the internet is ofc very versatile and casts a wide net.

        • Mango@lemmy.world
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          3 months ago

          Would you feel inclined to do some blatantly corrupt shit in a world full of armed people who have the hated for unfairness that chimpanzees do? Naw, you do that in a country where the extra income is a huge shield between you and the people who would otherwise kill you for such top shelf abuse.

          • Landmammals@lemmy.world
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            3 months ago

            You’re describing an alternate reality where heavily armed people are able to recognize corruption and rally against it. The most hate-filled, firearm fanatics I know of have Trump 2024 signs in their yard. And they’re waiting with bated breath for an excuse to murder any person who says they should have the right to health Care.

            The people with the most guns are the ones with the least brains.

            • melpomenesclevage@lemm.ee
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              3 months ago

              It only takes a few capable well armed people to kick this shit in the dick. Christopher dorner wasnt enough, but john brown and his boss managed to start some shit.

              And it’s 2024; guns are not the only source of violence. Hell, you can go full dick and kill a fucker with his smart house.