So prison's are overcrowded with inmates with life sentences; I believe 1 in every 11 prisoners (someone correct me if I'm wrong). So why don't we bring back the Colosseum...

this is sparta....the whiners would complain

That would be awesome.....

Like that movie, gamer.........sweet. The Romans had the right idea.

Violent crime is likely the most substantial reason prison in nessesary in the first place. This would promote violence when our intention is for them to be violence free when they get out.
I do feel that there should be work available for the well behaved though.

Here's how you fix your idea.

Make the games voluntary.

For freedom or whatever. They can opt out at any time and strictly at their own will.

Then go for it.

that's clever......

1.) Many people in prisons have been framed by police or falsely accused and it is not discovered till years later.
2.) Many people choose a positive life over a negative life while in prison. Too late for a life in the outside world, but they can still find peace in their prison society.
3.) The Roman Colosseum was more barbaric than anything we do today. Lion vs man, bear vs man, wild boar vs man, etc.
4.) Professional fighters of all kinds would be put out of work since it is boring to watch two guys box when you can see a man wrestle a lion to the death on Pay-per-View. ;-p
5.) Tempting people to do extremely bad things for material gain is not the foundation for a good society. Even when you think they deserve it.

Might make for a good movie theme though. People buy tickets to movies like that all the time. ;-D

You should rent the movie "Rollerball" for a look at some modern gladiator themes.

Isn't this Ultimate Down? Or Death Race? Or Roman History? Or Doomed...Or etc. It's apocalyptic and barbaric. We don't want another empire....

COOL!
Won't happen, but cool.

As interesting as it sounds, I doubt that would go over well. Think about it, giving prisoners weapons. Not gonna go over well when they need to be forced back into their cells...

Works for me, and it would also reduce the population in prison.

~Let me entertain you, let me make you smile...~

I said for people with life sentences in the title. "Overcrowed with inmates with LIFE SENTENCES." I never heard of anyone getting a life sentence for drug possession or something stupid.

It happens all the time. People get 20+ years for possession with intent to distribute. What defines "intent to distribute" is not always clearly defined.

20+ years isn't a declared life sentence. I'm speaking with people with life sentences for heinous crimes such as murder etc.

I would consider it one in practice, but either way what you're talking about is unconscionable.

I don't see how it is unconscionable , but okay.

I know what the word meant, I'm not an idiot. And no, I don't.

And yet you call yourself "libertarian"? Explain to me how it's "libertarian" to force human beings into an arena and force them to fight each other.

They were already convicted, if they're in for life, what's the damage? They wanted to act like animals anyhow when they did they crime....

I'm not trolling. I'm just thinking of a possible idea. >.>

It's been done before. Tell me it was a good thing.

Obviously then, no. My reason is different from theirs back then.

The reason is irrelevant when the system is identical.

The system isn't bad by itself, the reason plays more of a role. I really don't see the problem with it, they were stupid enough to do the crime.

The system is inherently bad because it's entire premise is based on violence and coercion. The reason is just whatever justifications that managed to stick to the wall.

"They did 'blah', so they deserve whatever happens to them, no matter how cruel it is." That's a real libertarian idea right there.

Hmm... Like I said, it was just an idea... I never said it was right.

where would the incarcerated get the money to pay for these extras?

So far it's just an idea, not a full thought out plan. That's one of the few things I haven't thought up yet....

we should just kill them....