Comparing Punishment And Rehabilitation

AJS/502

Punishment and Rehabilitation

Society expects the criminal justice system to punish and rehabilitate persons who commit crime. In the United States, the primary goal to be achieved for those who break the law is punishment. There are many arguments amongst theorists on the approach that works best. Some think punishment is the best approach to crime, others think rehabilitation works best. The effectiveness of punishment and rehabilitation is being analyzed continuously from a perspective that notes the effects on both victims and offenders. The financial and social impacts on society are also being studied. The classical ideal about criminology proposes that punishment is used to create deterrence and the positive
Incarceration has many effects on the offender psychological well-being. When an offender is separated from their family, it causes severe depression. Supporters of rehabilitation versus punishment argue that sentencing offenders to incarceration hurt the family structure by contributing to single parenting (Larrabee, 2006). They also argue that punishment causes social disorientation, alienation, and also increases the risk of recidivism. When an offender is released from incarceration, they face social isolation, stigmatism, economic and employment challenges for the rest of their lives. Rehabilitation through community supervision eliminates many of these issues, such as the economic and employment factor. Probation and parole allows offenders to remain with their families continue working or find employment under close supervision and they will always have to check in monthly with the probation officer. Others argue that rehabilitation is a more permanent fix in deterring crime. Rehabilitation through community supervision can have a more lasting effect on individuals and deter them from committing future crime if they learn how to adapt in society by gaining academic or trade skills. These programs can help offenders find employment and secure an important role in the community and give them a sense of being. Therapy is another form of rehabilitation needed to help deter individuals from
There has been and always will be debate on which method works the best. For every one offender in which the punishment model works, there is one offender that is does not work for. The same can be said for rehabilitation as well. Society and lawmakers have to figure out a way to incorporate each method when possible. Punishment should not be used with rehabilitation and rehabilitation should not be used as punishment. Any punishment should be appropriate for the crime and the offender. Judicial officials should keep in mind that when the punishment fits the crime and is appropriate for the offender, whether it is punishment by incarceration or rehabilitation, it may become the most effective deterrent for future criminal behavior. Both punishment and rehabilitation are critical and work hand in hand with one another. In some regard, rehabilitation lacks the necessary attention needed to insure a positive result. We have different types of rehabilitation for both before and after incarceration. If under the rehabilitation order or on probation, any violations should result in immediate action to have their opportunity revoked without leniency or explanation. It seems that we have allowed the punishments of any crime to have undefined gray areas and are more permissive than our Fore- Fathers had envisioned for our nation. America is superior above most other