Psychopaths and where to find them

Mathew Crawford points out an interesting anomaly, and asks some interesting questions. Psychopaths are rare people who neither feel empathy toward their fellow humans, nor care about societal norms … Most people know the chilling tales of the psychopaths most talked about in Seabrook’s article—the 15 to 20 percent of males in the prison population… Continue reading Psychopaths and where to find them

A survivor of the Gangland War tells us what it was like

  City Journal has published an article titled “Confessions of a Loan Shark:  One of the last survivors of Boston’s Gangland War of the 1960s opens up about his notorious past“.  It reminded me of a number of hardline convicts I met during my service as a prison chaplain.  I’ll cite an excerpt from the… Continue reading A survivor of the Gangland War tells us what it was like

“The 1 % of the population accountable for 63 % of all violent crime convictions”

  That’s the title of an article about Swedish research into violent crime in that country.  In the light of our discussion yesterday about violent crime in Washington D.C. and other US cities, I found its conclusions very interesting.  Here’s the abstract (i.e. executive summary) from the article.  Bold, underlined text is my emphasis. Purpose Population-based… Continue reading “The 1 % of the population accountable for 63 % of all violent crime convictions”

It’s not just Washington D.C. – it’s every major city

  A recent study points out the reality behind violent crime in our nation’s capital. Every year, about 500 identifiable people in D.C. drive as much as 70% of the city’s gun violence, according to a new report commissioned by the city. The study was authored by the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform, which… Continue reading It’s not just Washington D.C. – it’s every major city

Saturday Snippet: Escaping from Thailand’s toughest prison

  David McMillan is a self-confessed drug smuggler, convict and rogue, now retired (?) from a life of crime.  He’s written a book, “Unforgiving Destiny: The Relentless Pursuit of a Black-Marketeer“, about his life and experiences. It’s a very interesting read for those interested in the underbelly of our society.  He’s quite unrepentant about his… Continue reading Saturday Snippet: Escaping from Thailand’s toughest prison

The dilemma of out-of-control prisons, and the danger they pose

  As a former prison chaplain, this report from the biggest jail in New York City resonated deeply with me, and made me very angry. Inmates are running wild on Rikers Island amid an ongoing staffing crunch that’s left charges free to stab each other, answer the phones and run through corridors destroying maintenance equipment,… Continue reading The dilemma of out-of-control prisons, and the danger they pose

A tragedy in Indiana: the reality of thug life behind bars

  One prison guard is dead and another seriously injured after an assault in an Indiana correctional facility. The attack occurred at Indiana State Prison in Michigan City around 2:40 p.m., the agency said in a news release. Tymetri Campbell, 38, faces several preliminary charges including murder, the state police said. Officials said the officers… Continue reading A tragedy in Indiana: the reality of thug life behind bars

George Floyd – analyzing the video evidence in depth

  On Tuesday I published a post titled “It looks like George Floyd was not “murdered” after all“.  It cited an American Spectator article by a former federal and state prosecutor, George Parry, analyzing the toxicology report on the late Mr. Floyd.  That article concluded that a drug overdose was the primary cause of Mr.… Continue reading George Floyd – analyzing the video evidence in depth

The synagogue terrorist is “a victim of America”. Suuuure he is…

As one might, perhaps, have expected, the maniac who attacked five people with a machete in New York turns out to be a victim himself, if you believe his family, friends and pastor. A man charged with hate crimes for a machete attack on Hasidic Jews at a Hanukkah party in New York is not a… Continue reading The synagogue terrorist is “a victim of America”. Suuuure he is…

Headline of the week

Sent in by several readers: Angus man who tried to fly drone into Perth Prison claimed Romanian circus stole his chihuahua The report is as mind-boggling as it sounds – certainly beyond my ability to summarize!  Click over there for a good laugh at the insanity (not to mention inanity) of some of our fellow… Continue reading Headline of the week