Quote:
Originally Posted by Platapus
One of the problems with our prison system is that it tasked with doing two very different things.
1. Provide punishment. This is an important part of society. If you choose to do something abhorrent to society (commit a crime), then society will provide an "unpleasantness" as a way of demonstrating the authority of society over the individual.
2. Rehabilitation. It is a benefit for society that abhorrent members become law abiding members. While punishment may communicate the consequences of abhorrent behavior, rehabilitation should communicate the advantages of conforming to the rules of society.
The objective is for the individual to feel that it is better to conform to societal rules than to engage in abhorrent behavior.
Is it reasonable to expect one institution (jail/prison) to provide both?
Is it possible for one institution to provide both simultaneously?
I am starting to doubt whether one institution can do both.
|
When considering that most people sent to prison will be released back into society it is logical to at least try some form of rehabilitation.
I know a few people that are ex cons and they managed to adapt to societies rules.One man that I worked with once got busted for having an illegal sawn off shotgun.He got caught it just so happens while he was driving a car on the way to kill a rival drug dealer.He was actually thankful that the cops stopped him.He did not of course mention that his was on the way to commit a murder but the firearm violation got him 10 years he served 8 and got out on good behavior and work release program.When his parole time was up he moved to Florida.
The problem in the US is institutionalization when it comes to releasable inmates.Nothing of course is going to work on everyone.Having the system focus fully on harsh punishment may actually produce a more dangerous person but you cant be too lax either.Of course every state has different systems and in some states it can vary from prison to prison.