Corrections Theories: Rehabilitation Vs.Punishment

Corrections Theories: Rehabilitation vs. Punishment

The big question is why are there so many offenders our correctional system? The answer to this is because they have committed a crime and have been convicted of it. We need to figure out how we can intervene in these criminals’ lives and try to keep these offenders from recommitting crimes. There are 3 main theories for sentencing of criminals. Retribution is that people should be punished if they commit crimes with a vengence. Prevention is that the threat of punishment such as imprisonment can deter people from committing crimes. Incapacitation is the imprisoning criminals prevent them from committing more crimes. The purpose of these theories is to obtain justice for the victims and to rehabilitate the offender. “Deterrence theory thus provides a basis for a particular kind of correctional system. Punish the crime, not the criminal,” (MacKenzie, D., n,d,).

One of the most common and traditional punishments for corrections is retribution. What is retribution, what does it have to do the correctional theories that are prevalent to the criminal justice system? Retribution is the “act of taking revenge on a criminal perpetrator,” (Schmalleger, 2012). It is the “eye for an eye” or vengeance for a crime committed. “Retribution or just deserts bases its morality on the assertion that people break the law due to their free will. This is why this theory demands that punishments should be calibrated to the seriousness of the crime; the more serious the crime, the harsher the punishment,” (MacKenzie, D. n.d.).

The idea is to be able to rehabilitate these criminals to be better people. The plan would be rehabilitating offenders and being able to release them back into the community as a productive member of society. This is ideal for first time offenders or juvenile offenders, hoping to change the offender and their behaviors. The idea is to lower the number of criminal acts.

When someone commits a crime, they usually will receive a jail sentence. For the more serious offenses jail time is the punishment of choice, however, not always likely for first time offenders. Incarceration is very costly and by reducing the number of inmates saves millions of dollars. Many non-traditional alternatives have been explored as substitutes of incarceration. Incarceration is used to protect innocent members of society from the criminals that may cause harm.

Competing Theories

Some of the competing theories of corrections that are prevalent today are shock probation, split sentencing, shock incarceration, mixed sentencing, community service and home confinement. These are a few intermediate sanctions that are sentencing options other than jail or just probation.

Split sentencing is where the judge can incorporate jail time and probation. The Defendants are ordered to a sentencing of serving time at the local jail, rather than prison, and then given supervised probation. Shock probation is similar to split sentencing; however the offenders must apply for a probationary release from jail and it is not guaranteed that they will get it approved. Hence the “shock” if the probationary request is granted. Shock incarceration is a bit harsher; it uses military strict discipline, physical training and hard labor designed mostly for young or first time offenders. It is a style of boot camp, when completed successfully the offender may be turn back out in the population under a type of supervision. Mixed sentencing may require the offender to serve jail time on the weekend but still be on supervised probation during the week. This may even include a treatment program or community service while on probation. Community service is an alternative to jail time that requires the offender to spend part of their serving time working for community agencies, such as cleaning up areas for community, washing police cars and picking up trash. Home confinement, or house arrest, is a sentence where the offender is electronically monitored to be confined to their home. There are set hours or reasons they are allowed to leave, such as jobs, appointments, or to buy household essentials. This is the best alternative to jail for sick, homebound offenders or pregnant women.

Goals of Strategies

The goals of these punishments/rehabilitative strategies differ. For instance, rehabilitation programs are used with the intention to have a huge impact on the reduction of recidivism rates. The main goal of theories of corrections is to punish and rehabilitate the offenders. There are many rehabilitation programs are used to help lower recidivism, which is the relapse of crime. The use of rehabilitation strategies can help with the rising number in prison overcrowding. Having other options besides incarceration lowers the overcrowding