Compare and Contrast Essay on Punishment vs. Rehabilitation

Introduction

In many countries, offenders are usually submitted to correctional programs to rehabilitate them. These programs involve supervision to ensure that every inmate goes through each program as required. Correctional programs are given as sentences to offenders according to the offenses that they have committed. Correctional programs serve purposes such as rehabilitation which prepares the criminal for successful re-entry into the society or rather punishment which allows the offender to pay for their crimes according to their severity (Vanstone, 2017). The system has government agencies that are responsible for protecting the population from dangerous individuals. This essay will discuss the various ways that correctional systems punish as well as rehabilitate the offenders.

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Punishment as a Method of Correction

Punishment is given to offenders who have committed severe crimes such as murder. Those who are found guilty of certain crimes are punished as a way of correction. The punishment given is made to ensure that the individual pays the price for the crimes they have committed. This is done by depriving their freedom and self-determination to discourage the offender from repeating their crimes. Usually, those who are punished for their crimes are placed in prisons where they are put under strict supervisions and punishments. Punishment is given in the form of death penalties, incarceration in jail, probation, fines, and restitution (Benson, 2003).

The secondary purpose of punishment is to discourage other people from committing the same crime. If individuals are well aware of the severity of the sentence, they will try to avoid incurring the offense to avoid the same punishment. However, this method may not work for most offenders. They still commit the crimes despite the extended prison terms and the death sentences (Benson, 2003).

Rehabilitation as a Method of Correction

Rehabilitation is given to offenders that the court feels that they need second chances. Being the primary goal for correction systems, the assumption is that the prisoners will be taught, treated and made ready so that they can go back to the crime-free society. Most children under the age of eighteen, who commit crimes, are taken to a juvenile. A juvenile is a rehabilitation facility for minors so that they can be corrected and given a second chance (Benson, 2003). It was the primary form of correction during the twentieth century, but as years go on, the united states tend to feel that punishment is more worthwhile than rehabilitation. More so, rehabilitation facilities are limited in the united states.

The primary programs that are offered in rehabilitation facilities are mental health, substance abuse, and educational services. Rehabilitation centers were initially made for women, parolees, and sex offenders but were later incorporated as a method of correction. The perspective that rehabilitation does not always work is the main reason why the government refrains from using it. The process of rehabilitation takes place if the prisoner seems to be mentally ill or the crime they committed was as a result of substance abuse. They are guided through the rehabilitation program where they undergo counseling and treatment. Psychologists usually attend to mentally ill people of whom the highest number are prisoners. Through psychology, psychologists get to learn the more about the prisoner's behavior (Toro, 2017).

Methods of Rehabilitation: Parole, Treatment, and In-Prison Rehabilitation

The three methods of rehabilitation are parole, treatment, in- prison rehabilitation. According to the law dictionary by Cristi Hayes, parole is the primary method used in most countries to help offenders to fit into society once again. With parole, an offender agrees to some terms in exchange for serving a shorter duration. These conditions are: having to get employment and refraining from drug and substance abuse. A parole officer is assigned to the offender to supervise and check their progress regularly. Treatment is also primarily used as a method of rehabilitation. Some crimes caused by drugs addictions use this type of rehabilitation. The judge, therefore, sentences such offenses to mandatory substance abuse rehabilitation programs in prison. The programs are meant to overcome addiction problems which will allow them to function normally in the society. In-prison rehabilitation programs, on the other hand, start in the prison environment. They are meant to help the prisoner to adjust to the community once they are out of prison. Language courses, education classes, skill workshops and health and fitness classes are some of the programs that offenders go through (Polaschek, 2017). These basic courses help offenders to live better lives once they are out of prison.

The Effectiveness of Rehabilitation in Reducing Crime

According to the above discussion above, rehabilitation is the best and most effective method of reducing crime. The united states have used the approach of punishment as a way to deal with offenders. As a result, the united states have over two million people in prison or jails that make 1 out of 142 US residents. 15-20% of the prisoners are mentally ill (Toro, 2017). Overcrowding of prisons is an apparent reason why rehabilitation is the most effective method for correction. Prison is not for mentally ill offenders but a place to punish those in the wrong. Rehabilitation would be the best way to make the offenders fit into the society when they come out. Punishments will be useful for significant and severe crimes. To reduce congestion in prisons rehabilitation as a method of correction should be implemented. Only very severe crimes should be punished. The number of rehabilitation centers should increase to cater for the mentally ill for correction.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the primary methods that have been used in the USA are rehabilitation and punishment. It is evident that the most effective way of correction is rehabilitation unless the crime is very severe. Rehabilitation prepares the criminal for successful re-entry into the society while punishment allows the offender to pay for their offenses according to their severity.

References

Vanstone, M. (2017). Supervising offenders in the community: A history of probation theory and practice. Routledge.

Christi Hayes, The law dictionary: Three Types of Rehabilitation for Offenders. Retrieved from HYPERLINK "https://thelawdictionary.org/article/three-types-rehabilitation-offenders/" https://thelawdictionary.org/article/three-types-rehabilitation-offenders/

Etienne Benson, July 2003, Rehabilitate or punish? Psychologists are not only providing treatment to prisoners; they're also contributing to debate over the nature of prison itself., Monitor Staff, Vol 34, No. 7, Print version: page 46, Retrieved from HYPERLINK "http://www.apa.org/monitor/julaug03/rehab.aspx" http://www.apa.org/monitor/julaug03/rehab.aspx

Jassel Toro, December 26, 2017, Working to Reduce Crime - Punishment or Rehabilitation?

Retrieved from HYPERLINK "https://soapboxie.com/government/Working-to-reduce-Crime-Punishment-or-Rehabilitation" https://soapboxie.com/government/Working-to-reduce-Crime-Punishment-or-Rehabilitation

Vox, F. Methods of Punishment and Criminal Recidivism.

Polaschek, D. L. (2017). Protective factors, correctional treatment, and resistance. Aggression and violent behavior, 32, 64-70.