Quotes

Prisons don't rehabilitate, they don't punish, they don't protect, so what the hell do they do?

We are prisoners of ideas.

Trial by jury itself, instead of being a security to persons who are accused, shall be a delusion, a mockery, and a snare.

Federal prison, if you get any of it, you're going to have to do 85% of it. And the reason why I called it that is because I had a friend who got sent to the federal joint and his whole... it wasn't about him being in jail. He cried about the 85%.

The only difference between me and my fellow actors is that I've spent more time in jail.

In the halls of justice, the only justice is in the halls.

It is more dangerous that even a guilty person should be punished without the forms of law than that he should escape.

The power of punishment is to silence, not to confute.

The perfection of a thing consists in its essence; there are perfect criminals, as there are men of perfect probity.

Reality becomes a prison to those who can’t get out of it.

The number of laws is constantly growing in all countries and, owing to this, what is called crime is very often not a crime at all, for it contains no element of violence or harm.

Oh who is that young sinner with the handcuffs on his wrist? And what has he been after that they groan and shake their fists? And wherefore is he wearing such a conscience-stricken air? Oh they're taking him to prison for the colour of his hair.

In prison, you get the chance to see who really loves you.

Women have worked hard; starved in prison; given of their time and lives that we might sit in the House of Commons and take part in the legislating of this country.

In a civilized society, all crimes are likely to be sins, but most sins are not and ought not to be treated as crimes.

To trial bring her stolen charms, and let her prison be my arms.

One crime is everything; two nothing.

Let us remember that justice must be observed even to the lowest.

When you are younger you get blamed for crimes you never committed and when you're older you begin to get credit for virtues you never possessed. It evens itself out.

A man will be imprisoned in a room with a door that's unlocked and opens inwards, as long as it does not occur to him to pull rather than push.

Vices are not crimes.

I submit that an individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for the law.

Nelson Mandela and Malcolm X came out of prison stronger.

It isn't true that convicts live like animals: animals have more room to move around.

The world is a prison in which solitary confinement is preferable.