Pros And Cons Of Luxurious Prisons

The Rehabilitation of Prisoners in Luxurious Prisons

Over the years, people have tried to introduce new ways for the punishment of criminals, from philosophers to sociologists and even psychologists and human rights advocates. Each had their own understanding of the concept of punishment. So, some believed that a criminal must be imprisoned in a dehumanized facility. In this particular context, “dehumanized” means the maltreatment of the prisoners, disrespect of their rights, spending their sentence in poor conditions while being tortured and therefore, punished for crime. However, a recent approach turned the table in favor of the prisoners’ rehabilitation claiming that providing prisons with luxurious amenities can transform a prisoner into a well-educated citizen with a good attitude and abidance to the law. Clearly, a controversy exists between these two extremes: luxurious and dehumanized prisons. For such a recent point of view, the proponents of luxurious prisons convey a new perspective supported by evidence.

In luxurious prisons, the organized cells, the moderate number of prisoners relative to dehumanized ones in addition to the informal and supportive relationship between the officers and the prisoners has led to decreased reoffending rates post the release of prisoners (Beijersbergen et. al 7). Furthermore, prisoners in low-security prisons such as luxurious ones show fewer tendencies to engage in violence and assault due to less authority control and better conditions (fewer staff, nice/new buildings) (Bierie 346).

To elaborate more on the prison design and its relation to overcrowding, having small single cells have a positive impact on the prisoner where he/she is autonomous and engages positively and more effectively with others; inmates and officers, away from violence and assault (Beijersbergen et. al