NCJ Number
97923
Journal
Social Defence Volume: 19 Issue: 73 Dated: (July 1983) Pages: 27-32
Date Published
1983
Length
6 pages
Annotation
An examination of the goals of corrections in India concludes that the nation will continue to incorporate a punitive philosophy into its correctional policies and offers suggestions for correctional policymaking in the nation.
Abstract
The penal system in India has evolved from European, Hindu, and Muslim influences. Rehabilitation has become the basis for punishment. Retribution is not applied in India, but incapacitation is one goal. Deterrence as a goal is well suited to the Indian social and cultural structure. The goals of rehabilitation and deterrence conflict with one another. In reality, rehabilitation programs have often been a cover for neglect. Although a worldwide shift from a punitive to a reformative approach is likely to continue, Indian society will find it hard to eliminate the usefulness of punishment. Penal policy should be redrawn to aim at protecting society from crimes, because prevention is better than cure. Punishments should follow the crime promptly to provide the deterrent effect of punishment. The rehabilitative approach should be used only with young and first offenders or women. The deterrent approach should be used with all others. Finally, punishment should always serve as a measure of social defense.