Rehabilitation over Retribution?

[HK]

I read a Cracked article recently (that's where I get all my news about the world) that mentioned how Sweden has a very low crime rate, possibly due to their strong focus on rehabilitation over retribution.

It got me thinking. I think the prison system for a lot of people is about revenge and 'an eye for an eye' and so on, the idea that if someone hurts you, they should suffer.

Whereas in some countries, they try to put more emphasis on why that person is an offender, and getting them back into society. This seems to include retraining them and helping them get back into paid work, for example, because that helps people feel like a part of society rather than an outsider.

I'd never really thought about it before but the idea appeals to me. I understand the need for revenge, especially for very serious crimes. But I also think that, especially for small-time offenders, like petty thieves or minor drug dealers, it'd be better to get them working and back into society, rather than just locking them up with other criminals and leaving them to it. Surely people are far more likely to re-offend if all they learn in prison is 'try not to get caught next time'.

What are people's thoughts?

 

[porterjack]

Completely agree many people who serve time could more effectively repay society by contributing in a positive way, especially young offenders who seem to learn more about crime when incarcerated

 

[HK]

Completely agree many people who serve time could more effectively repay society by contributing in a positive way, especially young offenders who seem to learn more about crime when incarcerated

Exactly, that's something that struck me too.

If all you have to do all day is talk to other inmates, you're going to be meeting people who are further up the crime ladder than you are. When you're feeling isolated from society and probably angry and bitter about getting put away, that's a terrible time to be exposing you to other criminals!

 

[Springsteen]

In some cases I agree with rehab. In the local paper here they go through the latest court cases and say what the offender did, and what their punishment was. Usually it's minor theft/vandalism and their punishment is usually community service/a fine, or both. If it's a minor crime then I think these kind of punishments would be more suitable.

 

[Peter Parka]

Yup, prisons are just breeding grounds of crime and the punishment lasts a lot longer than their release date. Is it really surprising that people come out of prison, can't get a job because of their previous and then turn back to crime to make a living?

 

[Zorak]

I think it was Norway the article you are thinking of. But the figures speak for themselves. To be honest, I don't care if prisons are cushy, its better than sending people to gulags.

 

[porterjack]

Lot of money in the prison business
Our govt is proposing to build even more jails , that is how they get tough on crime

 

[Johnfromokc]

Lot of money in the prison business
Our govt is proposing to build even more jails , that is how they get tough on crime

American conservatism at its finest - war on drugs, war on crimes, war on terror - Private for-profit prisons.

 

[porterjack]

American conservatism at its finest - war on drugs, war on crimes, war on terror - Private for-profit prisons.

Sad part about that, despite it being true, is that I speak of a Canadian govt

 

[Johnfromokc]

Sad part about that, despite it being true, is that I speak of a Canadian govt

It's a lot worse down here..............

 

[Panacea]

My job with a drug court, or jail diversion program, is based on this very belief- the criminally addicted can be rehabilitated. I see some good come from it, but I work for the court. How "diverted" are these participants from jail if they are constantly threatened with jail as punishment for relapsing or falling short of requirements of the program??

Our clients are sentenced to a year in jail, and offered our program as a swap for the sentenced, and released...the whole time they are with us, they either really grasp recovery, or they just try to avoid getting locked up. We give them 28 day jail stays for relapsing, or forging community service logs, etc.

It's a mess, honestly. Our success rate in the program is something like 36%, but the national average for these programs is like 48%? I think the program is a good first step, but it's ONLY one step. If you're still threatening addicts with jail, you're not really rehabilitating them.

 

[Guyzerr]

Sad part about that, despite it being true, is that I speak of a Canadian govt

The Americans have employed a hell of a lot of people and made a select few very rich because of their judicial and prison system and that's something that Canadian politicians just woke up to. In case you didn't know we are always a few years behind the Yanks.

 

[Johnfromokc]

The Americans have employed a hell of a lot of people and made a select few very rich because of their judicial and prison system and that's something that Canadian politicians just woke up to. In case you didn't know we are always a few years behind the Yanks.

And if ya'll are smart, you'll stay behind. I wouldn't exactly call our current conservative trend in privatized "justice" the path to social enlightenment.

 

[Guyzerr]

And if ya'll are smart, you'll stay behind. I wouldn't exactly call our current conservative trend in privatized "justice" the path to social enlightenment.

I agree and I think it's disgusting. Matter of fact the vast majority of Canadians are not in favor of it but good old Harper will always shove his agenda down our throats good, bad or otherwise.