The Pros And Cons Of Rehabilitation

In the justice system there is a huge fear of criminals relapsing and continuing to commit dangerous crimes. Currently, recidivism is the main concern regarding criminals. Recidivism is a tendency to relapse back into a previous behavior or condition1. Recidivism is often related to the relapse of criminal behavior. A potential tactic that will slow down the rate of Recidivism is Rehabilitation. Rehabilitation is the process of restoring a condition of good health and one’s character2. Recidivism is a big issue and is affected by many factors around them. Keeping many prisoners locked inside prison are affecting costs, those who are able to receive help through rehabilitation will lower those costs and free up space for those who actually need to be in prison. There are many positives to rehabilitation that can alter the lives of those who are in prison and are looking to become better people. Recidivism rates are different in every state but one that the state with the highest rate is California. In California (2012) about 65% if released criminals had returned to their
An NY Times article stated “… the only rational purpose for a prison is to restrain those who are violent from inflicting harm on themselves or others, while we help them to change their behavior from that pattern to one that is nonviolent and even constructive, so that they can return to the community4”. This quote is saying that the true purpose of prison is to keep those who are harming themselves or others should be restrained from continuing that to others. Thus protecting them and others around them. While being restrained they will receive help that will change their behavior from a negative one to a positive one through the programs offered in order for the past criminal to adapt to society