REHABILITATION VS PUNISHMENT?

Should prisons be more rehabilitory or punitive?

Should prisons be more rehabilitory or punitive?

Introduction

The rising inmate population and overcrowding in prisons is a problem. A lot of these problems come from repeat offenders who have had a lack of prison rehabilitation. People have two different views about the prison system. The first is that prisons are "jails" and that everyone in the "jails" should suffer for their crimes. They feel since they are criminals and do not abide by the rules of society they should not be able to become part of a society.

Others view prisons as correctional facilities where prisoners can accept their mistakes and be rehabilitated, eventually assimilated (Austin, 2001).

Discussion and Analysis

People have two different views about the prison system. The first group says that the rehabilitation process is no use exceptionally for the "criminally insane. The other group filled with positive-thinkers in the society has another view: They believe that the prisoners can rehabilitate, saying that everybody makes mistakes and that is what the prison is for, to rehabilitate. They say that after they learn their mistakes they will eventually assimilate and become one once again with society.

Experts feel that the "jails" are for criminals such as rapists, murderers and other criminals that undoubtedly will never be able to accept the rules society and show no hope of rehabilitation. They may suffer from the strain theory, a terrible childhood, whatever the reason is, these guys belong in jail. On the other hand experts feel that some criminals (white-collar) see the light of their mistakes while they incarcerated. They get to thinking, missing their families/friends, and see the truth, that nothing not even money (as involved in larceny) is worth the prison-time. Thus they will move on and hopefully never return to prison.

This is how experts feel, unfortunately, it is usually the opposite mostly due to the prison rehabilitation process in prison. Let's take one day in a life of a prisoner. They are usually surrounded with other criminals. Thus, they never get out of the criminal-mind state and never can grow to realize their mistakes and move on in your life. In the movie, Hard Times, a prisoner admitted that every day was a battle for him. Thus, I'm guessing that towards the end of his sentence, there is honestly no help to integrate him back into society at all, which is the most critical time for help.

A brilliant idea is to have something like a school in which they go into the right before entering society. Many states are currently experiencing difficulties supporting rehabilitation programs, due to shortages in their prison/ correction operating budgets. Alternative solutions are currently sought; to replace state/federally funded rehabilitation programs. The work release employer must receive an orientation from Division of Prison staff and agree to the rules of the program. The employer must have Worker's Compensation insurance. Earnings from work release wages used to pay restitution and fines, to pay family support, to pay prison housing and work release transportation ...