NCJ Number
65911
Journal
Howard Journal of Penology and Crime Prevention Volume: 19 Issue: 1 Dated: (1980) Pages: 27-41
Date Published
1980
Length
15 pages
Annotation
CRITICAL ARGUMENTS AGAINST REHABILITATION AS A CORRECTIONS POLICY ARE SUMMARIZED; A SIX-POINT FORMULA IS PRESENTED AS AN IMPROVEMENT OVER CURRENT PENAL PRACTICES.
Abstract
CRITICISM OF REHABILITATION AND THE CALL FOR A MODEL TO REPLACE THE TREATMENT MODEL ARE BASED ON THE ARGUMENTS THAT REHABILITATION DOES NOT WORK, THAT RETRIBUTION IS A NECESSARY ELEMENT OF JUSTICE, PUNISHMENT IS AN EFFECTIVE DETERRENT, AND THAT INCAPACITATION OF OFFENDERS CAN GREATLY REDUCE CRIME. IT IS CLAIMED THAT REHABILITATION AS A CORRECTIONAL POLICY HAS NEVER BEEN GIVEN A FAIR CHANCE TO WORK BECAUSE ITS IMPLEMENTATION HAS ALWAYS BEEN HAMPERED BY A SHORTAGE OF MUCH NEEDED PHYSICAL FACILITIES AND OF MATERIAL AND HUMAN RESOURCES. A SIX-POINT FORMULA IS PRESENTED TO ACHIEVE BETTER PENAL SYSTEMS: (1) REDUCING THE CLIENTELE OF THE SYSTEM THROUGH DECRIMINALIZATION AND DEPENALIZATION, DIVERSION, LIMITED USE OF INCARCERATION, AND EXTENDED USE OF ALTERNATIVES TO IMPRISONMENT; (2) CHANGING THE PRISONS THROUGH ALTERING FACILITY SIZE, DESIGN AND PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, AND BY CHANGING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT; (3) INTRODUCING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INTO THE SYSTEM THROUGH INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES SPAWNED BY CRIMINOLOGICAL RESEARCH; (4) INVOLVING THE COMMUNITY IN REINTEGRATING THE OFFENDER; (5) CHANGING PUBLIC ATTITUDES TOWARD CRIME AND PUNISHMENT THROUGH INFORMATION AND EDUCATION; AND (6) PROVIDING RESTITUTION AND COMPENSATION TO VICTIMS. IN CONCLUSION, A PLEA IS MADE FOR HUMANITARIANISM AS A GUIDING PRINCIPLE OF CORRECTIONS POLICY. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (DEG)