Punishment or Rehabilitation, that Is the Question

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The U.S prison system is used to both punish and rehabilitate offenders. The first thing that is done in that process is punishment.
The punishment of offenders happens in several different ways. The first and most obvious way is prison life in general. The offenders are away from their family and friends so the effect of this punishment is not always immediately evident to the inmate. Sometimes they are not in a frame of mind to realize how having a family member in prison can damage the relationships of the entire family unit. Once incarcerated, the institution now controls all aspects of the inmate’s life. Institutional rules dictate when inmates can work out, eat, shower, what they can buy, who can visit them and when they have to go to bed. Some states still have hard labor that inmates must perform while incarcerated; the term chain gang may be familiar to may people and often paints the picture of inmates doing manual labor while connected together by chains and shackles (Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th Edition. September 2013). Many states have moved away from this form of punishment, while in other states it is still widely used (Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th Edition. September 2013). Some states are now having offenders, who have been classified as low risk, go into the private sector and work regular jobs even while incarcerated. The offenders are able to ease themselves back into society by having a job where they can learn a trade but then return to the prison after their work day is done. Offenders also are able to keep this job after they leave the prison, which helps them to stay grounded as they start a new chapter in life.
When sent to prison a person loses a number of rights that are affor...

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...n an anger management class.
Rehabilitation is imperative for offenders who are returning back into society. Rehabilitation can help change the criminal way that they think which will help ensure that once they are out of prison they stay out.

Works Cited

Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th Edition. September 2013, p1-1. Convict labor. Retrieved from: http://search.ebscohost.com.lib.kaplan.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=voh&AN=39000667&site=eds-live Roscher, S. The Development of coping strategies in female inmate with life sentences. Retrieved from: http://www.drc.state.oh.us/web/Reports/RoscherInternetSummary.pdf
Wright, M. 2007. Criminal Rehabilitation- Working Towards A Better Life for Inmates And Their Families. Retrieved from: http://ezinearticles.com/?Criminal-Rehabilitation---Working-Towards-A-Better-Life-For-Inmates-And-Their-Families&id=455250

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