Pyrrhic Defeat Theory Essay

Pyrrhic defeat theory is the idea that those with the power to change a system, benefit from the way it currently works. Pyrrhic defeat theory argues that the failure of the criminal justice system yields such benefits to those in positions of power that it amounts to a success. It suggests that the criminal justice system’s goals are the very opposite of public expectations; it functions the way it does in order to create a specific image of crime. One in which it is actually a threaten by the poor. However, to justify the truth of the idea there must be some substance to back it up. Hence, the system fights crime, to some extent, but to an amount only to control it and ensure it stays in a prominent position in the public eye, not enough

By neglecting the underlying causes of criminal behavior, the get tough approach makes it likely that crime will continue no matter how many offenders are arrested and imprisoned. This approach has destabilized urban neighborhoods by putting so many of their young males into prison. Prisons have few programs to help inmates be better people when they get out and give them skills or opportunities to avoid returning to a life of crime. This has created a huge force of inmates who are released from prison back into their communities with the same personal problems that helped put them into prison and with bleak chances of stable employment of social relationships. So why not use government funds to provide such services. Avoid worsening the problem through increased community “rehabilitation” and other “therapeutic” treatments instead of prison terms. This helps the individual and the economy. The overuse of prison hurts communities and families from which minor offenders come. Maybe this sounds easier said than done but we should figure out a way to reduce the overcrowded prisons by relaxing some of the ridiculous sentences for nonviolent crimes. Sentencing should fit the crime, not the criminal: Punishment should be customary,