Should Prisons Punish or Rehabilitate?

Question

Me and my partnew in class are debating and we have to debate for 2min i need to know some info on what you people think about punishments or rehabilitation in prisons. I am going for punishment and my partner is going for Rehabilitate

Answer 1

Punish, because if most criminals understood rational thought, they wouldn't be in prison.

Answer 2

Well they're already being punished because they're locked up, right? That's the punishment; so why not rehabilitate them while you have them locked up. I know not all will take it serious and some won't gain anything from the rehabilitations; however before they just put then back on the street it would be nice to know that they got some kind of help.

Answer 3

Prison is not a good option for most crimes. In my opinion only the most dangerous criminals should be put in prison and they should stay there until they are no longer a danger to society, even if that means a lifetime. They should be treated humanly, but should have to take part in some sort of work that will pay for their keep, with a surplus that can be put into a fund for victims of crime.
People who are found guilty of lesser crimes should be dealt with in a different way, they should have pay financially for their crimes and attend rehabilitation sessions, (compulsory). This should continue as long as is judged necessary. This also should be self funding.
This while not designed to punish people would in most cases have the desired effect.

Answer 4

According to the US Supreme Court, persons go to prison AS punishment. Persons are NOT there FOR punishment.

Rehabilitation in the forms of training and learning job skills, or getting a GED is always a good idea.

Where does this urban myth about "comforts of home" come from? Two or three guys in a cell designed for one, steel slabs for beds, substandard food. Contrary to popular belief, they do NOT have cable TV. And any TV they have is either in a dayroom for 50 guys, or a small thing they buy themselves with money from home, attached to a plain antenna. Even the prison authorities want them to have TV's, it keep them occupied and less likely to make trouble. Weights are a thing of the long past. There's no gyms, it's all housing now. The highlight of their days are hoping for mail. Real soft conditions. what is it with this society that feels they MUST have a class of "untouchables" to spit on to make themselves feel better?

Someone above said a lot of innocent people go to prisons. Imagine how many there might be that don't have the luxury of a DNA test to show their innocence? Going to prison is absolutely the easiest thing that could ever happen to you. I've watched the courts work plea bargains, and it's disgraceful the pressure they bring to bear on people, and their public defender lets them get away with it.

Men that leave prison after they've served their debt, can either leave as humans, fit to be among us, or even worse because of the "punishment in prison" claptrap. It's NOT a deterrant, it just makes a more violent criminal.

Answer 5

I would say rehabiltate. I mean to me the point is that most prisoners will eventually get back out. Do you want them to have no alternatives but to turn back to crime? Some of the people in jail believe or not are innocent. Look at the waves of supposed rapist, some of which had already done 10-15 yrs. That were freed after DNA technology proved without a doubt that they were innocent. Some people are victims of their environment to a certain degree.
To me the point of jail for the most part is to take a person that is a danger to society out of it. I mean this is a chance the state/ federal goverment has to educate these people. whether it be a trade or academic. So then when this person gets out he can become a productive member of society.

Answer 6

I'd aim for both. Start with rehabilitate and if the convicted won't cooperate. Then they are punished. Keep in mind if people can get free education in prison, people will commit crimes to get a degree. So there is a fine line.

Answer 7

Both. It really depends on the circumstances. For example: for a young person (maybe under 21) for a first minor offense (maybe stealing something < $20) then rehabilitation is probably the best course.

However, for something major (rape, murder, etc.) then I don't believe you can rehabilitate somebody like that. They have no regard for their fellow human and should be removed from society.

Answer 8

Prisons should be able to do both, but their first priority should be punishment as they did something wrong to land up there. Any mental illness should be treated and therapy to understand their illness and how to look after themselves when they are out of prison. My biggest problem with prisons is the drug dealing inside. Crime should not be allowed inside the prison, Good Grief!!

Answer 9

Ideally both, depending on the crime. Sometimes there's no rehabilitating murderers, rapists, and child molesters, but people who commit lesser crimes, like burglary or drug offenses, can probably be rehabilitated. Sometimes they're just really bad people, but usually they are products of bad homes and bad neighborhoods. Those individuals are good candidates for rehabilitation.

Answer 10

The punishment should be the re-habilitation. If you can't learn from being in prison that you don't want to go back, then you are a lost cause and should stay in. Anyone that is paroled and arrested again should be given life.

Answer 11

Inmates are supposed to be in prison for punishment. Why we provide them with all the 'comforts of home', while they're supposed to be there for punishment, is beyond me. How can they ever learn to 'not do it again' when we pamper them so much is stupid.
Rehabilitate.................. won't work!!! They needed better supervision, during childhood, then they wouldn't be in the position they're in right now. It's only the 'liberal bleeding hearts' who are trying to push the rehab bit - they think everyone deserves a another chance. Would they feel the same way if the person they rehabilitated murdered one of their family members........................