Mark David Chapman is up for parole, he's failed to get it 14 times, should his 15th get him released. His next hearing is on Feb 2027.
Up for parole.
- Thread starter Insidious Von
- Start date
This re-visits the old debate, is the justice system's purpose punishment or rehabilitation.
The NYS Parole Board has been consistent in rejecting his appeal. A menace to society, selfish disregard for human life and the enduring international of the assassination. The last statement is an understatement, the suicide rate spiked seven fold when John Lennon died. Yoko is 93 now, she is determined to live as long as it takes until Chapman dies in prison.
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There is a reason our prisons are called penitentiaries. The idea was you could rehabilitate anyone to be better. Now, we all know that isn't true. Serial killers are probably beyond help.
Ideally, we should be working to reform people so they don't commit crime when they are released. Give them an education or teach them a trade. Help them break with addiction, or treat the mental health issues (if possible). Our current system isn't great, but I think the US is probably worse. I think Sweden has an interesting idea, but it would be a serious challenge to do it in Canada/US.
As for Chapman, he is a schizophrenia with borderline personality disorder. Can he be integrated back into society and stay on his meds? Impossible to say.
Through movies and tv I've heard American ex-cons say going to prison was like going to university for criminals. Instead of rehabilitation, they wound up learning better crime techniques from more experienced criminals. When they got out of prison they were anxious to use their new found knowledge.
I personally think his song imagine took some over the top saying imagine theres no heaven no hell below us when that goes against religions and his meddling in politics. now when i was young i liked john lennon but as i matured i found him having a god complex.
"Borderline personality disorder?" He was diagnosed pre-trial as being either psychotic or schizophrenic, and I doubt prison life has made him feel better.
According to recent reporting, he has, as I said, both schizophrenia with borderline personality disorder. The issue here is that there are many people who have these mental health issues, and can effectively treat them with meds. The downside is, you cannot force anyone to take them, and they can stop because they feel fine....and then they relapse and maybe do something horrific. It really is a challenge, and we (both Canada and the US) do not have a sterling reputation for helping those with mental health issues since...well....ever....
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