The Stanford Prison Experiment
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

The Stanford Prison Experiment

Rape, rehabilitation and the time it takes to turn around.

15
The Stanford Prison Experiment
Santa Clara County Sheriff

Earlier this week, stand-up Stanford swimmer Brock Turner was found guilty on three different sexual assault counts. Prosecutors recommended that he be sentenced to six years in prison, but Judge Aaron Persky found that sentencing too harsh. He instead sentenced Turner to only six months in jail, because of his age and the apparently too harsh atmosphere of prison on someone who was a legal adult and decided to assault someone.

Let’s talk about this sentencing. On the one hand, those working in the field of assault prevention know all too well how hard it is to get a conviction period. The fact that he was found guilty and given jail time at all was one of life’s victories.

And yet this 20 year old man was going to be too fragile for prison. This 20 year old man, who was found guilty of assaulting someone and altering their very view of the world they live in, was just too innocent to be held responsible for his crimes.

This is not just something we see here, though. This is a symptom of a bigger societal framework in play. Though this example was extended to a court of law, countless times we have seen perpetrators of sexual assault on college campuses be given the most lenient of punishments. As stated by The Hunting Ground, a ground-breaking film about the reality of sexual assault on college campuses, some punishments for sexual assault include “expulsion upon graduation,” community service hours, small fines and writing reflection papers about how they impacted their community.

And here is one of the most forgotten but precious pieces of the puzzle: while 1 in 5 women will be a victim of sexual assault in college, only 6% of men will perpetrate sexual assault. This means that a vast majority of perpetrators will repeat their offenses. Which is the thing that makes this case so frustrating to those who know anything about how sexual assault perpetrators work. Six months in jail, reflection papers and $100 fines are not substantial enough time and punishment for someone to deeply reflect on the real impact of their actions.

Judge Persky believes this man “will not be a danger to others.” This terrifies me. This means that those we trust to serve the correct punishment for the severity of a crime don’t understand the realities of sexual assault. This echoes a societal sentiment that assault is a mistake, something someone didn’t mean to do and that they will never do again. We can’t even believe those words when they come from children; how can we take them seriously from grown adults? If he even ends up serving the full six months, it is not rehabilitative. It’s a time-out, a detention. We wonder why assault numbers don’t budge; maybe we should instead reflect and wonder why we, as a society, don’t take assault seriously.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

38621
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

23031
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

949462
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

126770
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments