Should Rehabilitation Be The Primary Goal In Sentencing

When it comes to the criminal trial process, the last step those who are found guilty face before they are incarcerated is receiving their sentencing. There is more to a judge handing down a sentence than just giving the convicted person a time limit for how long he has to stay in incarcerated. When it comes to the different ranges of sentencing, there are five goals of contemporary criminal sentencing, the nature of structured sentencing must be understood and its positives explained, and determinate sentencing must be understood. Sentencing is not a cut and dry process. There is a lot that goes into it that many do not know about.

The tension between rehabilitation and punishment has been increasing dramatically. This is because there have been sharp rises in the prison population and repeat offender rates. When one area is over emphasized in relation to the other, there is the possibility that imbalances will occur. Over the course of time, these issues can create challenges that will impact the criminal justice system and society at large. (Gadek, 2010) (Clear, 2011) (Gatotch, 2011)

The part that is consistent with my view on deterrence is that one of the goals of rehabilitation is to deter and prevent future crime. “Punitive confinement may rehabilitate some so that after release they commit fewer offenses than they might otherwise have committed. In addition, rehabilitative treatment tries to lead the convict to choose legitimate over criminal activities upon release” (Van Den Haag, 769). This deterrence gives offenders the ability to succeed within the confines of the law. I will accept this part of the rehabilitation theory because it reflects my views on the deterrence theory and acts as a discouragement for future crimes, providing happiness and order in society. There is however, an additional part of the rehabilitation theory I cannot entirely accept. Under rehabilitation, programs are put into place to aid in restoring the offender to a “new” life and way of living. The offender post punishment is better able to form a meaningful life. The offender’s attitude and perception of themselves and others is believed to have altered through these programs. Offenders receive education that provides knowledge and skills necessary to

As a country, we should care about all of our citizens and work toward bettering them, because we are only as strong as our weakest link. When it concerns the issue of corrections it should not be a discussion of punishment or rehabilitation. Instead, it should be a balance of both that puts the spotlight on rehabilitating offenders that are capable and willing to change their lives for the better. Through rehabilitation a number of issues in the corrections field can be solved from mental health to overcrowding. More importantly, it allows offenders the chance to do and be better once released from prison. This paper analyzes what both rehabilitation and punishment are as well as how they play a part in corrections. It also discusses the current reasons that punishment as the dominant model of corrections is not as effective as rehabilitation. After explaining rehabilitation and punishment, then breaking down the issues with punishment, I will recommend a plan for balance. A plan that will lower incarceration rates and give offenders a second chance.

Most prisons offer programs that will help the offender to rehabilitate, such programs can help the offender with anger management, domestic violence, drink & driving, alcohol abuse, and drug rehabilitation. Personally I believe that we should work hard on rehabilitating all offenders but especially the juveniles because they are not as competent as adults and there is a greater likelihood that they will change, although the main focus should be on rehabilitation of all offenders therefore making our communities safer.

Rehabilitation assumes criminal behavior can be improved with non-punitive methods. Rehabilitation, although non-punitive, usually occurs along side punishment. For instance an incarcerated person may be given many rehabilitative options. Mental health programming, substance abuse counseling and even education programming exist in modern day correctional facilities. A judge may sentence someone to attend rehabilitative programming as a part of probation or it may be included as a stipulation in a plea agreement. At the core of rehabilitation is the thought that a criminal is flawed, often through no fault of their own. Poverty, mental health issues, or childhood trauma may all contribute to a criminal life and rehabilitation attempts to aid in a sort of recovery. If a person is cured of their issues, perhaps they will not recidivate.

There are many people who are in prisons that should not be there or should not be serving lengthy sentence. “For example, we found that 25% of prisoners (364,000 people), almost all non-violent, lower-level offenders, would be better served by alternatives to incarceration such as treatment, community service, or probation.” (Time Magazine) This is a clear example of what Restorative Justice is and should look like. Restorative Justice is a system of criminal justice that focuses on the rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with victims and the community at large. Rather than imprisoning a person for petty crimes such as petty theft, tagging, having small amounts of drugs with no intent to sell, or even just a little physical interactions, there is an alternative for the punishment. As mentioned above, the person can do community service, probation, or they can be talked to and making sure that there is an understanding of where they went wrong and how to avoid making that mistake again. Everyone will always hold themselves

The definition of rehabilitation according to professor Mona Lynch, is “any discourse or practices that speak transforming or normalizing the criminal into a socially defined non-deviant citizen, including psychological programs, drug treatment programs, educational and work-training programs, work and housing placement assistance, and halfway houses.” This definition of rehabilitation is unique because it focuses on outcomes, encompasses an array of inmate services, and is more multidimensional than any of the preceding works. I believe that prisoners should be treated with exactly the same degree of respect and kindness as we would hope they would show to others after they return to society. People learn by example. The Timelist program showed that offenders hearing from ex-offenders who are on the outside and are doing well is very powerful. These rehabilitation programs; The Timelist, Edovo, and the GreenHouse Program all provide evidence to support the Prison Rehabilitation Act of 1965, which devoted full attention exclusively to the crime problem in the U.S. and the high numbers of population in our prisons, by providing more flexible rehabilitation programs. It would be beneficial to every man, women, and child in America, if we were to continue providing resources for existing rehabilitation

     The idea of sentencing a criminal for a period of time in a prison isn't working, so prisons should focus more on changing their rehabilitation programs. Life in prison should be like the outside world as much as possible, given the fact of imprisonment. Prisoners would be less prepared if the prison environment is artificial and abnormal compared to the outside world they will have to encounter later on. A prisoner also needs to keep family ties. Research in

Parole does not rehabilitate instead it restricts the ability to do criminal activity while on parole. However once off parole due to lack rehabilitations, no guidance, no structure and or an alternate fix of filling whatever avoid the criminal activity gave it’s easy for criminal to do it again. For an example: even if smokers would like to stop smoking, most can’t quit cold turkey, many have to go to a support group. I think there should be a department that continuously follows up with offenders to make sure they’re on the right path but not to make them feel like the criminal system is trying to keep taps on them. Some of the guidelines for being on parole make it a smoother transition; I agree with giving the criminals a crew few, drug

Lee Tergeson, actor from the television show OZ said, “I know what it is like to be ignored, and I think that is the big problem about the prison system: These people are being thrown away. There is no sense of rehabilitation. In some places, they are trying to do things. But, in most cases, it is a holding cell.” (Tergeson, 2002) He speaks the truth.

While incarcerated the individual may have the opportunity to receive rehabilitation. Does it mean that the individual will be rehabilitated? One can only imagine. This is a debatable issue. Is punishment or rehabilitation more effective in combating crime?

In our reading some of the ethical concerns for rehabilitation were that it does not work and studies showed offenders still committed crimes once released. I think that rehabilitation can work in some cases. The main thing is that the he or she must want the help and skills needed for rehabilitation. There also needs to be a service available for them to continue treatment or training after being released from jail.

I also think that it is possible that rehabilitation and punishment can be effective on offenders. What I don’t think is that probation and parole should be the only means of rehabilitation. In fact, there are more inmates than those being released. In our course book Corrections In America (2014) under The Rehabilitation Ideology topic it states that in our corrections system we can find inmates that are “ mentally ill, the neglected, or the unprivileged” (pg. 55). The system should focus on inmates more because the lucky ones to go on probation or parole will always get some sort of rehabilitation. I don’t think Rehabilitation counterparts punishment. Rehabilitation if more of a necessity and should be mandatory. It will benefit not only

What is rehabilitation? In the book, Corrections Today by Larry Siegel and Clemens Nartollas, rehabilitation is defined as, changing an offender’s character, attitudes, or behavior patterns so as to diminish his or her criminal propensities (20). When you see the word ‘rehabilitation’ you automatically point out the word ‘rehab’ and rehab means the process of helping someone become healthy again mentally, physically, and emotionally (Merriam-Webster). Therefore, if a criminal is rehabilitated it is because the people of higher authority believes that the criminal deserves to go through a program to make their mind right again and they also deserve another chance. However, not all criminals are granted that option.