The Pros And Cons Of Inmate Rehabilitation

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To punish or to rehabilitate incarcerated inmates is a debate decades in the making. The majority of correctional facilities are currently punishment-oriented. There is such a strong focus on punishment, as correctional facilities are built upon disciplinary objectives, that it is difficult to create effectual rehabilitative programs for inmates. Rehabilitation while incarcerated can include a wide variety of assistance such as education, vocation training, and hands-on experience. Mental illness support can also be a large portion of inmate rehabilitation, as the U.S. Department of Justice estimates that sixty-one percent of inmates in state prisons struggle with mental problems (Glaze and James). Ignoring mental illness, rather than helping …show more content…

A study by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2010 found that almost sixty-eight percent of released prisoners were rearrested within the first three years of freedom, while almost seventy-seven percent of released prisoners were rearrested within the first five years of freedom (Durose). These numbers are staggeringly high. When first learning of these statistics I wondered about what is being done to reduce this percentage and increase the success rate of one-time offenders. This led me to my research on Montana based programs dedicated to inmate rehabilitation. While more needs to be done in the form of inmate rehabilitation, Montana does have quite a few programs established to reduce recidivism …show more content…

Operated by the Department of Corrections, the Riverside Recovery and Reentry Program works to help women who have suffered trauma. The goals of the program are to help the woman recover from past abusive and traumatic events, better understand their own behavior, develop new ways to improve themselves (Riverside Recovery). The staff completes’ a Woman's Risk and Needs Assessment through personal interviews with the women in order to develop an individual treatment plan for them. The time of stay ranges for each individual, averaging at around four months. This program has only been put into action for two years, but has already seen tremendous success. Out of sixty-four participants, sixty-two women were successful in completing the program. The program has partnered with probation and parole offices in order to help formulate plans for after release. The continued support after treatment while incarcerated is designed to lower the recidivism rate and meet the common objective of inmate

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