Punishment or Rehabilitation?

[Babs]

Which is more important for prisoners?
This was a question that was on the social attitude test posted somewhere in this section. I think it's an interesting question and I would like to hear what everyone thinks.

I think rehabilitation is extremely important for lesser criminals (things like drug crimes) but that is not to say a certain amount of punishment shouldn't happen. Prison in itself is a punishment, and I think there should be a lot of effort to also rehabilitating criminals while they are in there.
However, I do think there are certain criminals -- rapists, child predators, murderers -- who need longer stays in prison and a lot of therapy before they are released. And of course, certain people probably shouldn't be released at all.
In short, I think both hold an amount of importance.

[Stronk Serb]

Both. A prisoner should be rehabilitated to be a functioning member of society while at he same time being punished for his crimes.

[fairmaiden]

Both.

[CharlieHorse]

I think that everyone is obsessed with the justice system being a form of punishment. I think it should be rehabilitation. Being in prison is a punishment. Now try to help them become more than their illegal act.

[SethfromMI]

Both. A prisoner should be rehabilitated to be a functioning member of society while at he same time being punished for his crimes.

this. granted the system often fails, but this is the way it is supposed to work

[dirtyboxer55]

I think that everyone is obsessed with the justice system being a form of punishment. I think it should be rehabilitation. Being in prison is a punishment. Now try to help them become more than their illegal act.

it should be rehabilitation but serious offenders are usually uncurable (psychopaths) no matter how much you try to rehabilitate them so exceptions should be made

[thatcountrykid]

I wouldn't call prison a punishment. Three meals a day with a roof and a bed for no cost. That's paradise. Rehab for lesser first time offenders. For habitual offenders(more than one in my opinion) straight punishment

[Babs]

I wouldn't call prison a punishment. Three meals a day with a roof and a bed for no cost. That's paradise. Rehab for lesser first time offenders. For habitual offenders(more than one in my opinion) straight punishment

Being isolated from the outside world with very few exceptions, and having your personal freedom taken doesn't sound like a paradise. Along with the other shit that goes on in prison.

[JamesSuperBoy]

I think a measure of both but then is it a question of funds - rehabilitation may cost more and what forms can it take.

[thatcountrykid]

Being isolated from the outside world with very few exceptions, and having your personal freedom taken doesn't sound like a paradise. Along with the other shit that goes on in prison.

Should have been a better citizen and have you heard of turn around rate? The people who will commit crimes to go back? Prisons are too comfortable if you ask me.

[Babs]

Should have been a better citizen and have you heard of turn around rate? The people who will commit crimes to go back? Prisons are too comfortable if you ask me.

To call them a paradise is just plain stupid though.

Non-violent offenders, although they have done wrong while aware of the consequences, are still people and deserve to be treated as such. I'm not saying anything fancy though. Just the bare minimum isn't too much. Being fed and having a roof over your head isn't more than a human being deserves.
Violent offenders, such as rapists and murderers, I can agree with you on that a little more but not exactly. While I think they should be locked up for a long-ass time and securely, a certain amount of comfort (nothing more than they have already) and rehabilitation is necessary. Even if they are sentenced to life.
Rehabilitation is necessary for someone to become a functional member of society, and therefor not go back to prison.

[CharlieHorse]

it should be rehabilitation but serious offenders are usually uncurable (psychopaths) no matter how much you try to rehabilitate them so exceptions should be made

sure, but so the right thing to do is punish them when they're unable to be rehabilitated or learn?

[thatcountrykid]

To call them a paradise is just plain stupid though.

Non-violent offenders, although they have done wrong while aware of the consequences, are still people and deserve to be treated as such. I'm not saying anything fancy though. Just the bare minimum isn't too much. Being fed and having a roof over your head isn't more than a human being deserves.
Violent offenders, such as rapists and murderers, I can agree with you on that a little more but not exactly. While I think they should be locked up for a long-ass time and securely, a certain amount of comfort (nothing more than they have already) and rehabilitation is necessary. Even if they are sentenced to life.
Rehabilitation is necessary for someone to become a functional member of society, and therefor not go back to prison.


Arizona runs a good prison. Food and shelter in the summer months is fair.
I never said don't feed them or leave them in a bare open field. Medical is fair.

Non habitual offenders should be in a decent prison similar to ones now. Repeat offenders don't deserve rehab up until you're third time and on the fourth then they won't change.

[Babs]

Arizona runs a good prison. Food and shelter in the summer months is fair.
I never said don't feed them or leave them in a bare open field. Medical is fair.

Non habitual offenders should be in a decent prison similar to ones now. Repeat offenders don't deserve rehab up until you're third time and on the fourth then they won't change.

I never said you did. You said what they have now is too comfortable, and I disagree.
As for the second part, fair enough. If they had help the first, second, third time I think it's unlikely that they would be in a fourth time unless they're seriously fucked up.

[Danny_boi 16]

Both. But sometimes there are those who cannot be helped. There are also those with mental disorders, and those inmate should be sent to special facilities to be helped. The US prison system now is terrible. The "revolving door" of criminal justice leads to more crimes. So, yes we need to punish people (this is to maintain social order), but offenders must be able to reintegrate with society. Most US prisons are bad, because they're private, which should not exist.

[Vlerchan]

Rehabilitation.

Prisons should be seen as someone undesirable to be in order for imprisonment to act as an effective deterrent but the main focus on imprisoning someone should be to cause their rehabilitation. This should be done through creating incentives to be rehabilitate oneself. Privileges should be based on one's engagement with education inside. Life should be as awful as legally possible for outright dissenters. Prisons should offer inmates up to an associates level degree or training (apprenticeship) in semi-skilled labouring. There's no point releasing people back onto the streets with no education and a record holding them back from attaining the worst jobs.

There will be some people that just can't be reformed. These are minorities. These provide a constant source of labour within the prison system. However there privileges should still be contingent on engagement with education. Depending on their performance there might be a strong case for outsourcing teaching.

[tasminsmith]

although it contrasts a lot but punishment at school or when the police have got involved has done nothing, I do it again so yea punishment fails.

[phuckphace]

I think it depends on the nature of the crime committed and the age of the individual.

I'd imagine rehabilitation is most practical for addressing juvenile delinquency and crimes committed by young adults. younger people are still impressionable and not as set in their ways.

career criminals, serial rapists, child molesters, serial killers, etc should just get the chair. we don't have the technology to fix minds that were born broken, not to mention execution removes any risk of recidivism.

my main point: this is something that would be best considered on a case by case basis for serious but less heinous crimes. I'd be open to giving these folks the choice between execution or a lifetime stay at a forced labor camp in the Alaskan wilderness.

[Screw Attack]

I don't know, I don't think people should go to jail for doing drugs and the like because that's their own business. But other petty crimes like stealing should be rehabilitation and some form of punishment.

People who are extremely screwed up I don't know what to think. On one hand, what they commit is generally terrible but sometimes they're mentally insane and it's kinda not their fault. It's a grey area.

But, I cannot fathom why some normal people do horrible crimes. I don't understand the logic or the emotions that go into it. I wish I could understand the psychology of that. It really confounds me.

[thatcountrykid]

although it contrasts a lot but punishment at school or when the police have got involved has done nothing, I do it again so yea punishment fails.

Well would them trying to counsel you work? No. What you just described is just being a bad kid. Scho punishment isn't really punishment. What do they do? Take you out of school? If they made you do labor work and lock you up it would work.

[JamesSuperBoy]

It would be very hard to rate who or who not to rehab if that was possible. I think any crimes are committed by youngsters who then just get into more trouble maybe there should be more and stricter punishments and rehab at younger ages.

[tasminsmith]

Well would them trying to counsel you work? No. What you just described is just being a bad kid. Scho punishment isn't really punishment. What do they do? Take you out of school? If they made you do labor work and lock you up it would work.

ha no I got kicked out my own house and have to look after a horse so I wouldn't give two shits about labour or being locked up tbh

[Miserabilia]

Punishment is a form of rehabilitation,
but I do despise punishment just for moral pleasure, like a death penalty.

[Emerald Dream]

It's a double edged sword when talking about punishment and rehabilitation.

There are many people who could (and do) benefit from rehabilitation. Mental illness and psychological/emotional issues are a big problem and are the root cause of many crimes.

However, saying that punishment should not be involved at all is just going to motivate criminals that they won't have to face any real consequence when they are sent to prison. No, I don't think that prisons are resorts - but the way of life in prison is a much better alternative for some people than the life they are living on the outside. I do agree with the point that giving someone three meals a day and "rehabilitating" them (when they are just using the system and don't actually need psychological help) may be attractive enough for some people to take advantage of.

[thatcountrykid]

ha no I got kicked out my own house and have to look after a horse so I wouldn't give two shits about labour or being locked up tbh

How old are you and do you live with someone? And technically it was your parents house. And I have three horses and it's not hard. Labour is fucking sweat shops for 12 hours a day. Not shoveling horse crap for 30 minutes.