Compare And Contrast Incarceration And Rehabilitation

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Recommended: what role does rehabilitation play in lowering recidivism

The Criminal Justice system was established to achieve justice. Incarceration and rehabilitation are two operations our government practices to achieve justice over criminal behavior. Incarceration is the punishment for infraction of the law and in result being confined in prison. It is more popular than rehabilitation because it associates with a desire for retribution. However, retribution is different than punishment. Rehabilitation, on the other hand is the act of restoring the destruction caused by a crime rather than simply punishing offenders. This may be the least popular out of the two and seen as “soft on crime” however it is the only way to heal ruptured communities and obtain justice instead of punishing and dispatching criminals …show more content…

They are successful in immediately punishing the offender and they are also seen as “high in profile”. Following a sentencing, the convicted criminal is immediately escorted out of the courtroom and straight to the confinements of prison. This instant punishment keeps the convicted off the streets preventing more harm to the community. This also is a result of “high in profile”. Prison is the most severe punishment that the government can inflict on a criminal (including the death-penalty). Criminal sentencing is taken very seriously and is meant to scare lawbreakers from re-offending. However, rehabilitation does a better job in preventing …show more content…

There are better ways to punish criminals and protect society than mass incarceration. The state and local governments should be tough on crime, but “in ways that emphasize personal responsibility, promote rehabilitation and treatment, and allow for the provision of victim restitution where applicable” (Alec, 2014). The government also succeeds in overseeing punishment but fails to “…take into account the needs of offenders, victims, and their communities.” (Morris, 2002: Pg. 1 and 2). Alternatives to incarceration, such as sentencing circles, victim offender mediation, and family conferences, can successfully hold criminals responsible while allowing them a chance to get “back on their feet”. Research has proven that rehabilitation has lowered the rate of re-offenders, reducing the crime rate, protecting communities and also saves a lot of

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