Due to the fact that the United States sits at the top of the list of the countries with the highest incarceration rate in the world with 5% of the world population and nearly 25% of the world’s prisoners, living in the prison in the United States can be something scarier than living with the ghost. The space is limited, making it hard to even breathe.
A lot of offenders are sent to the prisons with the purpose to make them realize that they have done something wrong due to the crimes that they have done and to refrain them from doing the same crime when they are released to the community. The question is, has the goal been achieved? Is punishment effective to reduce crime? Which one is more effective in reducing crime, punishment or rehabilitation?
Before anything, it is better to take a look at punishment and rehabilitation first. What is punishment and what is rehabilitation?
Punishment is the kind of thing that is based on the severity of the crime. An individual who did crime may be disciplined in some different kinds of methods, such as restitution, fines, probation, incarcerated in prison or jail, and death penalty for extreme cases. In general, the process of making them realize their mistakes is harsher compared to rehabilitation. Usually, punishments become counterproductive.
As for rehabilitation, it is counted as one of the goals of the correctional system. There is a hope that the offenders can be the kinds of citizens that follow the law when they are released if they are treated well during their time in rehabilitation. Rehabilitation is divided into mental health programs, substance abuse services, and education services. Just like punishment, rehabilitation is also the way to make the offenders realize what they have done. However, as stated before, this way is softer. It is like they are given the chance to realize their offense and learn how they can change their mindset to prevent doing the same crime.
There are some rehabilitation programs. These programs are designed for sex offenders, parolees and women. Since the millennium era, rehabilitative models have become preferred. One of the things that make it like that is because of the increase of incarceration. Due to this fact, the governments have no other choice but to explore new models of criminal justice.
Rehabilitative models are innovative models that recognize the potential to positively intervene in the lives of the offenders, address their criminogenic needs, and restore them to the high functioning member of society.
To understand the difference between punishment and rehabilitation, check out the following:
Punishment:
- Punishment is not helpful for the offenders. Besides, these offenders are on their own in the cell of a prison.
- Punishments are usually given to the adult offenders 1
- Punishment is usually not followed by a set program. The offenders are the ones that are in charge of working on their own issues. As for the ability to reintegrate into the society, it depends upon the efforts done by them.
- Punishments are not cheap. They are more expensive compared to rehabilitation. For one prisoner only, they can cost up to $70,000 a year.
Rehabilitation:
- Through rehabilitation, it would be easier for the offenders to re-entry into the society.
- Usually, the adult offenders are not sent to rehabilitation. The ones that are usually sent to such a place are the Juvenile offenders.
- There are a few kinds of programs in rehabilitation, such as drug addict rehab programs, violent behavior rehab programs and many more.
- The programs in rehabilitation are cheaper. On top of that, they are known to be more effective.
So, which method is more effective in reducing crime? Is it punishment or rehabilitation? The answer to the question varies. Some people think that rehabilitation is better than punishment because it would help an offender to become a kind-hearted one and to give them the chance to live a normal life. Besides, these offenders also deserve a second chance. Lots of them can be fixed after realizing what they have done and it is everyone’s responsibility to fix a broken person.
On the other hand, punishment is believed to only make an offender pay for their crime committed but is not the best option to make them change their behavior. Some kinds of punishments such as death sentence, life imprisonment, and so on may seem like severe punishment while in fact they are not that effective in rehabilitating them or preventing the other people from committing crimes. Punishments can make these offenders support crime and criminals and can make them think that they belong in prison as their freedom is limited and they are getting disrespected and getting physically punished. Instead of feeling guilty and eager to not make the same mistakes, they will hold the anger and grudge towards the victims, society and even the staff at the correctional facility. Punishing them means setting them apart from the community or society, which will be hard for them when they return to the community and live a normal life.
Unlike with punishments, with rehabilitation, these offenders will feel wanted and needed. There is a high chance of them feeling guilty and not committing the same or similar crime. Not only that, the programs that are given at the rehabilitation are made with the help from psychologists, criminologists, and so on. These experts surely understand what is best for them. At the rehabilitation center, these offenders can learn many things such as arts, music, culinary, and so on, which are clearly important for them after the release. With the skills that they learn when they are inside, they will be ready to start a new life and to become a better person. Besides, it would be easier for them to be received by the society or community and to get the job so that that supports them to continue their life.
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
