I've heard it said that the point of prison is for criminal rehabilitation. If this is so, why do we sentence people to life sentences without parole? Doesn't that mean they can't be rehabilitated?
If prison is NOT for rehabilitation, then is it just a criminal detainment center? What purpose should it have and why?
2007-02-21 15:38:40 · 10 answers · asked by Atgmelv 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I think people who are serving life sentences serve as examples to others. It can change someone's mind to do something wrong if they are aware of the consequences.
You can be rehabilitated without having the option of living outside of prison. Prisoners can have a positive impact on others too.
2007-02-21 15:48:41 · answer #1 · answered by Katherine 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
In the US, we're into punishment, not rehabilitation. We have the most people behind bars in the world: over 2 million. Not even China or Russia can beat us, they only have a million in prison. In the US, prisons are obviously big business. Some people are making money off of it, just like some very influential wealthy people make a lot of money when we're at war. It's good for the economy, and we're capitalists; we're not into ethics, we're into money.
I can see housing the insane, serial killers, rapists, and child molesters for life, but I don't understand the long sentences or life terms for non-violent offenders. It seems like the prison system is being used to punish people who use pot, but not those that abuse alcohol or prescription drugs. I also don't understand why rape is allowed to take place in prison. I don't see how any non-violent offender deserves to be raped once, let alone repeatedly raped for years, and being infected with aids. Prison has become a death sentence for non-violent offenders. What a waste of life-we could be training non-violent offenders; instead we're using every method we can to turn people in prison into violent rapists and murderers or face death.
2007-02-22 00:06:26 · answer #2 · answered by edith clarke 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Prison is not for rehabilitation, it is for revenge and to get slave labor for a select few who have a interest in prison productivity namely UNI CORE and a number of other entities under different names, but of no benefit for the community or state, and they have closed stock so just certain people can buy it, and that usually the prison officials and some guards prosecutors , judges, certain high ranking cops or investigators etc,why do you think we have a 98.8 % conviction ratio in this country now?
only the ultra rich can get a fair trial, such as O.J. and why the ridiculously long sentences
2007-02-21 23:59:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Prison is not a rehab of any shape or form. Remember when you were 4 and put that PB&J sandwich into the VCR, and your mom made you sit in time out for a half hour? Well that's the point of prison. If you punish bad behavior, it's supposed to make you not do that bad behavior anymore out of fear of the consequences.
Judging by the state of criminal affairs, it's not working so well.
2007-02-22 00:10:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rehab has never been tried in prisons, It's much too expensive. (Not my opinion)
I think we have far too many people in prison. So many for the slightest crimes like having pot. These people can be helped or worked with to solve their problems. In California they have the 3 strikes law. That is so horrible, Each crime should be dealt with separately. I may agree with 3 strikes if the person hurt people physically three times, but even then a life sentence is too much
2007-02-21 23:48:20 · answer #5 · answered by Nort 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The idea of being sent to prison is to help you figure out that perhaps you shouldn't rob the local 7-11. What do you want to do with the idiot that comes to the place where you work and shoves a gun in your face?
Rehabilitation in prison means you don't pick up the soap. If you pick it up, you better hope your _____ faces the wall.
2007-02-21 23:46:18 · answer #6 · answered by P W 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
prisons are an alternative to death. every life is as valuable as the next. no one should be killed for any reason in this day in age. personally there are way too much prison in the United States. Most prisoner are more healthy and eat better than some third and second world countries. the irony.
2007-02-21 23:48:14 · answer #7 · answered by Jadeite 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you got the main point of why death penalty and life sentence are useless and contradictory. If you start from the point of view (that many don´t agree) that society is completely "normal" then the criminal is abnormal (mainly for their environment, for example. not enough education or criminal surrounding) so what society does is to re-educate them (rehabilitation as you call it) and let them be reinserted in society.
2007-02-21 23:48:26 · answer #8 · answered by taiwanes 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
prison is a business, therefore repeat offences are encouraged...not rehabilitation. After so many repeats they eventually get life, which is good for the prison but bad for everyone else.
2007-02-21 23:49:29 · answer #9 · answered by AuntTater 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It keeps society safe from those who will harm it. Rehabilitation is encouraged so they will not endanger others again. Sometimes the lesson is learned, sometime not. When the lesson goes unlearned, they are usually sent back to prison.
As for those sentenced to life without parole, the have committed crimes so terrible they have proven they are unfit to live amonst normal people.
2007-02-21 23:43:15 · answer #10 · answered by Kevin k 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋