Should the prison system be more punishment oriented or rehabilitation?

Question

If we could sacrifice punishing criminals for the sake of making them truly better people, would it be better? Or should their punishment be first priority?

Answer 1

The definition of insanity is "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results". That is was the prison system in the U.S. is - INSANE.

For the most part all prisons are doing is warehousing human beings. Then they get released and expect them to act differently. With no new training they are stuck in the same exact situation as before they were locked up. How can we expect them not to end up back in the system?

In order to keep people from committing crimes they at least need to earn an income. Many inmates do not have job skills, so selling drugs, etc. is easier. Perhaps if we gave them alternatives they would be less likely to keep committing crimes.

Many people are incarcerated for shoplifting, burglary, etc. Ask them why. Crimes are income related. If the "criminals" could learn a trade where they could survive on legally then many would chose that path.

Prisons should provide options for education and training to help keep recidivism down. If they just "babysit" then nothing with ever change and the INSANITY will continue.

Answer 2

It seems we have overlooked the primary function of prison - seperation from society. I think that is 90% of the purpose and rehab and punishment combined are 10%. I think that for rehab, we have to look at what is really wrong with the prisoners. Just like the same prescription does not cure all ailments, each prisoner has a unique situation and circumstance. If we want them to be "cured", i.e. reduced recidivism, we have to diagnose and treat with the appropriate applications. In some cases, punishment would be the appropriate treatment. In those cases, the only reason the crime is committed is because the prisoner is willful and does not appropriately fear punishment and he will be convinced and cured if the punishment is severe enough. I can't tell you from a statistical perspective how frequently that occurs. Maybe a study should be done, but I can't imagine it is too frequent. I think in most cases severe punishment, and cure are counter productive goals. Pick one or the other. You can get revenge and feel better, or you can solve the problem. The largest treatment facility for mental illness in this country is the federal prison system perhaps we should look at that prior to people committing crimes. I definitely believe prevention beats rehabilitation hands down. When Reagan "mainstreamed" all the mental health patients in the early 80's, they opened to doors to the mental hospitals, let all the patients out and closed and locked the doors again. Many of those patients are now our homeless population and in our prisons. We could have fixed these crimes before they happened, we just didn't.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

I feel that the prison system should be about both. I think it should depend on the crime. There are people in the system that can be rehabilitated if the right help is there. Not all crimes are as bad as others and yes there are crimes that should be punished as the Bible says, an eye for an eye and so on. I think that if some of the prisoners were helped in the correct manner then they could change their lives. Anyone can say that they have found God and repent, but they have to mean it. But there are other resources out there that could help those that really want to change and be a productive person in society.

Answer 5

Thinking about our current system of effect rehabilitation, or lack thereof, we should always lean toward the rehabilitation.

However, the purpose of prison is to punish. the criminals were placed there for punishment. I am very much supportive of a bread and water, chain gang type of system.

The statistical information suggests that rehabilitation is not as effective as the punishment serves as a deterrent.

One must also consider that fact majority of offenders and especially repeat offenders are diagnosed with a disease that lends to their criminal action. That's not to say that it is true for the whole.

Use punishment for deterrent and rehabilitation as a reward.

Answer 6

This is a good question. If we want to better our society, we should devote a little time to investigate the circumstances surrounding certain crimes in order to determine whether to just punish or help rehabilitate. Let's not forget that in some instances prison is used to marginalize certain segments of society.

Answer 7

Well I would consider the type of crime and for 2nd offenders they need counseling to see why they keep doing the offense over again also the govermnt do not let offenders have jobs once they do get rehabiliated (not the good ones) so they commit more crimes Because they have no place in society if someone goes to jail for 10 or 30 yrs when they get out they don't know how to live outside in the real world any more they need help to maintain..

Answer 8

Prisons are for punishment. If rehabilitation is reasonable in a given case, prison is not the place to provide it. Unfortunately in many cases, it is not possible.

Answer 9

I'd like to think criminals aren't bad people, just something in them that's bad and they need to be taught how to behave and basically control their need to kill, beat, etc I believe their prison is punishment but while there, rehabilitate them (keep them inside those prison walls - I still wouldn't trust one if they did something truly awful - sad but true)

Answer 10

The court system does show leniency and sentencing to young offenders in hopes that they can be rehabilitated. But on repeat offenses, the sentences become more like punishment.