Would you let Bernie Madoff out of jail to attend his son's funeral?

1. 60

   Mbshineposted 13 years ago

   Would you let Bernie Madoff out of jail to attend his son's funeral?
   
   Mark Madoff, 46, was found hanging in his NYC apt, while his 2 year old son slept in the next room. Do we have any compassion for his family?

   replyreport
2. 60

   Nat Amaralposted 13 years ago

   Yes, I do.  He's not responsible for his father's crimes or decisions.  However, the reverse also seems true regarding his sons suicide.  If they  do let him out to attend the funeral (a big IF) he should be surrounded by security 24/7 so that he won't try anything to escape so that he would be put back in prison again.

   replyreport
3. 60

   micahjoyposted 13 years ago

   It seems like there are two questions here... Yes, I absolutely have compassion for his family.  But no, there is no reason why Bernie Madoff should be let out of jail to attend his sons funeral.
   
   I'm not sure why it should even be an issue - think about how many men and women are in jail when a loved one dies, and it would be inconceivable to even consider letting them out to attend the funeral.  Bernie Madoff is in jail for a very good reason, for crimes that he committed.  Why should he be granted any kind of special treatment?

   replyreport
4. 63

   wingedcentaurposted 13 years ago

   I agree with Mitestorossa and Micahjoy, whose answers I voted up. Yes, his Madoff's son's apparent suicide is tragic and one feels compassion for his family. But the reason we're even talking about it is the fame, or infamy is more like it, of Bernie Madoff.
   
   Doubtless many, many, many people convicted of felonies, languishing in jail have loved ones who suffer accidents and die by various mean; and as Micahjoy says "it would be inconceivable to even consider letting them out to attend the funeral."
   
   Such a state of affairs (if the system were to go that way) would obviously present too much of a security risk.
   
   I don't know if Mark Madoff shares actual criminal culpability with his father (I haven't kept up with the details of the case) but as Mitestarossa says "..he [Bernie Madoff] is ultimately responsible for his son's death."
   
   If Mark has no actual criminal guilt, then his suicide is doubly tragic (if that's possible) because this means he may have taken his own life out of sheer shame.
   
   Even if Mark has actual criminal guilt, he was only following the lead of his father, whose operation very well may (I say MAY) have been crooked from the very beginning when he went into business back in 1960 -- at least according to business journalist Erin Arvedlund who wrote a book about Madoff called "Too Good To Be True." If you want to take a peek at an interview she gave about her subject....
   
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4cAGVVultk

   replyreport
5. 63

   Nikki D. Felderposted 13 years ago

   Yes, I think he should be accompanied by an officer and in cuffs attend.  It's so sad, but I feel he should attend though incarcerated.  Thanks, ncdf001

   replyreport
6. 48

   monica mcdannellposted 13 years ago

   hell no what he did he should rot in jail and also have to pay every one he stole from back

   replyreport
7. 60

   Mbshineposted 13 years ago

   news reports now say that the Federal Bureau of Prisons regularly accepts requests from inmates to go to funerals of relatives......except for capital offenses I think "furloughs" of a few hours, with guards, are not as unusual as people think when a close relative passes away....but the answers that are already quite thoughtful, probably also need to address an issue I just read:  Mark Madoff has not spoken or contacted his mother OR father--under advice of attorney--since the day before his father's arrest two years ago. I wonder if Madoff would even want to go to the funeral. The tragedy seems to compound itself....thanks for the responses.

   replyreport
8. 67

   onegoodwomanposted 13 years ago

   Yes.  It is a terrible thing, to bury your own child. 
   
   There is no 'second' chance to attend a funeral.
   
   Even under guard, a father should attend the burial of his son.
   
   I would extend this courtersy to MANY.

   replyreport
9. 62

   Rob Hanlonposted 13 years ago

   I can't imagine anything worse than a Parent losing a child, under any circumstances.
   Yes, I would allow Bernie Madoff out of jail to attend his son's funeral.

   replyreport
10. 59

    Bookislovakiaposted 13 years ago

    If they let other criminals out of jail to attend funerals as a matter of course, yes. If it is not typical, then no. He's no better or worse than any other criminal in jail with children and should not receive special treatment.

    replyreport
11. 59

    shynslyposted 13 years ago

    Yes, he's a terrible man who did terrible things, but it's not like he was a "violent offender" or a flight risk. And if we're to bar him from his own son's funeral of all things, how are we, as a society, any better then him?

    replyreport
12. 41

    reliablesourseposted 13 years ago

    no, he does not deserve to get out for any reason.

    replyreport