Four Theories Of Incarceration Research

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Due to the increase of incarceration rates in the United States, it is crucial to identify which of the theories of corrections is best suited for the criminal justice system. There are six theories that influence the correctional system; those are: retribution, deterrence, incapacitation, restorative justice, rehabilitation and early intervention. Most of the correctional theories concentrate on what should be done with people after they commit a crime, however, early intervention concentrates on preventing the crime before it happens (MacKenzie, 2013, p. 277). For instance, incapacitation refers to removing criminals from society–as a means of punishment–so that the rest of the population can feel safe (MacKenzie, 2013, p. 273). As a result, …show more content…

For example, the Nurse-Family Partnership program focuses on home visiting for low-income at-risk pregnant women during and after their pregnancies (MacKenzie, 2013, p. 276; Nurse-Family, 2018). It provides pregnant women with strategies that can help improve their health practices and diets, moreover, it helps them reduce or diminish their use of cigarettes and consumption of alcohol and illegal substances (Nurse-Family, 2018). The Nurse-Family Partnership positively impacts and improves children’s learning, social-emotional development, and physical development (Nurse-Family, 2018). Programs that intervene at an early age can help guide how families interact with their children and in turn, contribute to how children connect with the world around them. Furthermore, Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child found that there was a 59% reduction in children’s arrests and 72% fewer convictions for mothers. Another example of an early intervention program for high risk youth is the multisystemic therapy. This program provides therapists for at-risk and delinquent youths so that they can gain valuable skills that can support their interactions with their family, peers, and community (Blueprints for Healthy, 2018). Through therapy they begin to gain social skills that can allow them to collaborate and work together with others. This is important for the long run, because children are able to empathize and interact appropriately with others. Moreover, they are able to show respect towards their peers differences in terms of gender, ethnicity, languages, etc. Early intervention programs promote services that encourages family values and stability, consequently, improving their behavior afterwards; this in turn reduces that chance that they will commit a crime in the

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