Oscar Wilde Quotes

Prison works.

Given the devastation that crime can visit on families and communities, I will err on being a little too tough on crime than being too soft on crime.

Juveniles as well as adults need to know they're going to be punished for their violent acts.

I think that far too often we let those who commit crimes in our society off far too lightly.

Imprisonment, as it exists today, is a worse crime than any of those committed by its victims.

I don't want to send them to jail. I want to send them to school.

I don't believe in killing people. I believe in locking you up for the rest of your life.

We make no apology for people who should be in prison being in prison.

'Getting smart on crime' does not mean reducing sentences or punishments for crimes.

I don't think women's prisons are environments for dance routines, and I don't think mass murder is humorous.

The United States imprisons many non-violent offenders who could instead be required to pay fines, perform community service, and make restitution to their victims… Maintaining our vast network of prisons consumes resources that could be better spent on education and other crime prevention efforts... Rather than reforming offenders, prison too often degrades and dehumanizes prisoners, making the task of rehabilitation and reentry into society even more difficult.

The key for members of the public is that they want criminals to be punished. They want them taken off the streets. They also want criminals who come out of prison to go straight.

Imprisonment has become the response of first resort to far too many of our social problems.

You will feel the full force of the law and if you are old enough to commit these crimes you are old enough to face the punishments. And to these people I would say this: you are not only wrecking the lives of others, you are potentially wrecking your own life too.

America's criminal justice system isn't known for rehabilitation. I'm not sure that, as a society, we are even interested in that concept anymore.

Crime is naught but misdirected energy.

All emphasis in American prisons is on punishment, retribution, and disparagement, and almost none is on rehabilitation.

In a colony constituted like that of New South Wales, the proportion of crime must of course be great.

Punishment is not for revenge, but to lessen crime and reform the criminal.

I should still be in jail.

I've always been tremendously interested in criminal law. It goes to a deep interest I have in prisons and the criminal element, and what we do as a society with it. I've always been touched by the idea of criminality.

Crime is terribly revealing. Try and vary your methods as you will, your tastes, your habits, your attitude of mind, and your soul is revealed by your actions.

If you seek violence, we will seek to put you in jail.

I don't believe in vengeance. Really, when all is said and done, I probably don't believe in punishment.

The message has to be sent that if you commit a crime there has to be punishment.