Exploring The Relationship Between Rehabilitation And Deterrence

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According to the text punishment ideology is defined as the painful sanction applied to the offender, who is seen as the enemy of society. The rehabilitation theory is stated as crime prevention through treatment of offenders and inmates to rehabilitate such offenders (Allen, Latessa and Ponder, 2013). Both punishment and rehabilitation outcome and justification deals with prevention if anything else.

The reasoning for punishment is broken down into the categories such retribution, deterrence, and incapacitation. In my opinion punishment is truly society and our court system way of seeking somewhat of “revenge” and justice onto offenders. Although revenge can be somewhat present with punishing offenders it is done in a civilized manner and …show more content…

Here is where prevention can really be seen as potential offenders are somewhat trying to be swayed away from committing such crimes in the future. The general deterrence tries to prevent potential criminal while specific deterrence tries to prevent their further criminal behavior (Allen, Latessa and Ponder, 2013).

Incapacitation is the belief that locking up individuals for long lengths of time will limit their ability to break laws. I strongly disagree with this due to the fact that most people in jail will eventually come, but after be treated or locked away like an animal they will always act like one also. This idea shows why rehabilitation is more affective. By depriving one’s ability to commit crimes how are we as a society give these offender’s tools to survive once let out of prisons?

The effect of punishment can sometimes be positive depending on the amount of it distributed, to whom is being punished, but also the timing. Science and history have argued that punishment can decrease, but also stop crime—yet not everyone will change as a result of it such as: psychopathic risk takers, someone under the influence, or individuals who have been repeatedly punished. Rehabilitation may be the path with those suffering from the three