Restless Minds topic: Logics of punishment

Bill Gates

The United States has less than five percent of the world’s population but nearly one-quarter of the world’s prisoners.

The Restless Minds discussion group will explore this disparity and other aspects of punishment when it meets from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 14, in the sewing room of Oakwood’s Arts & Crafts Center.

Discussion leader Dante Bartee wants to consider what punishment is meant for — deterrence, reformation, retribution or some combination of the three. Moreover, who is punishment meant for?

Dante is well known to long-time Restless Minds participants. While in high school, he and other members of the Perry High debate team, once a year, led a Restless Minds discussion for four straight years. He’s now an undergraduate justice studies student at ASU, working toward a law degree and a Ph.D. He hopes one day to work in international criminal courts.

“We’ll explore the area of society which is both invisible and hypervisible,” he said. “And how we justify it goes a long way to defining not only its practice but how we decide to function within society.”

Restless Minds is a discussion group receptive to all people with open, inquisitive minds. There are no dues or membership requirements. All political and social points of view are encouraged to engage in this friendly exchange of ideas each month. Just show up and participate.

For more information, contact Bill Gates or Bobbie Reed at 480-883-7410.