Corrections: Rehabilitation Is More Effective Than Retribution vs

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Today our criminal justice system has a multitude of options when dealing with those who are convicted of offenses; fines, probation, community service, short term sentences in jail or longer sentences in a variety of different level prisons and the ultimate punishment is still death. Our goals are clear and direct, stop the behavior, make restitution, teach new skills and for many rehabilitate through therapy, drug and/or alcohol counseling. Unfortunately there are those that are deemed unredeemable and unfit to ever return to society and they are either confined in prison until their natural death or sentenced to die by the order of the state or government.

Excluding a death sentence, being given a sentence to prison is our harshest punishment. Due to overcrowding, the “community” and lack of personal control it’s a dangerous place to be. Sexual and physical assault is common, isolation is a mental challenge and the overall environment is an emotional nightmare. Prison is a very unhealthy place for anyone but even more of a detriment to our most vulnerable members of prison society; youth offenders, those with low IQ’s and mental retardation. Life without parole is in essence negating a person from existence without actually killing the individual. It is considered a mercy to be given life with the possibility of parole but those like Charles Mason and Diane Downs will most likely never be granted their freedom.

Individuals who are sentenced to one to twenty years of confinement are candidates for what I refer to as rehabilitative confinement; what this means is while incarcerated they have the opportunity for education and to learn job skills that can improve their lot in life once they are released. ...

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...00). Offender Treatment Programs Support Lower Crime Rates. Corrections Today , 22-24.

Naden, R. B. (2001). Punishment and Rehabilitation. Philadelphia: Chelse House Publishers.

Rafter, N. H., & Stanley, D. (1999). Prisons in America : A Reference Handbook. Santa Barbara, Calif. ABC-CLIO: ABC-CLIO (ebook).

Rosenfield, R. (2008, May). Recidivism and it's discontents. Criminal Justice , p. 311.

Schmalleger, F. (2007). Part 4 Corrections. In F. Schmalleger, Criminal Justice Today Ninth Edition (pp. 448-570). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.

Vasquez, G. (June 2000). Resiliency: Juvenile Offenders Recognize Their Strengths to Change Their Lives. Corrections Today , 106-125.

Wilker, J. (1999). Revenge and Retribution. Philadelpia: Chelsea House Publishers.

Williams, D. (1996, Aug). Project LEAD builds bridges. Corrections Today , pp. 80-85.

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