Different countries deal with criminals in various forms
The two main forms of dealing with criminals who have been confirmed guilty are rehabilitation and punishment. Specifically, while the United States of America prefers punishment in dealing with criminals, countries such as Norway depends on rehabilitation method in correcting crimes in the society. These two methods have their strengths and weaknesses which can be used as parameters to determine the most effective one to be used by prisons.
Rehabilitative Approach
The rehabilitative methods of dealing with confirmed criminals to enable them to change their behavior by the application of proper treatment (Cherrington, 4). Offenders are treated instead of being punished in this case. The method can be achieved through educational programs, placement at treatment centers and even counseling that is friendlier to the subject. The criminals are therefore subjected to less pain, become more active, acquire new knowledge and skills and also have an opportunity to pursue their goals (Topcouncelling Schools). The applied approach reduces the difficulties while in jail and it, therefore, allows prisoners to commit more crimes in the future once they are set free. Some people will fail to feel the impact and need of the light load and type of life that they face under rehabilitation. They will, then, return to the community the same way they left, which is fatal as it increases their possibilities of reoffending.
Punishment Approach
This approach is used to discourage people from committing the same mistake in the future (Cherrington, 1). For over a hundred years now, different physiologists have been involved in several serious researches to determine the effectiveness of the punishment approach. Species used in these studies include human beings and dogs (Day par.3). These studies focused on the aspects of suppressing negative behavior on people and also on the promotion of behavioral changes for a short period (Day par.3). The results revealed that punishment is only effective if it is applied predictably and have the maximum possible intensity to work. However, it is not practical for one to deliver an effective punishment since it is against the sense of both fairness and justice. Another disadvantage of this method is that its threat cannot prevent people from committing criminal offenses if they are convinced that they can get away with it (Day par.5).
From the above discussions, it is clear that both the methods have their flaws. While the rehabilitation approach is considered to be less effective because it is not harsh to the subjects, the punishment approach, on the other hand, it immediately requires being delivered directly to a crime that has been committed. Moreover, the punishment approach may go against the moral values of humanity such as justice and fairness when maximum intensity of work is administered to the criminals. However, it is mandatory for criminals to be appropriately rectified from time to time. Indeed, this means that the most effective method of correcting criminals must be identified and implemented to the latter regardless of the impacts on law offenders. The punishment approach thus seems to be the most suitable form of dealing with prisoners.
Works Cited
Cherrington, David J. "Crime and Punishment: Does Punishment Work?" (2007).
Day, Andrew. Crime and punishment and Rehabilitation: a smarter approach. Available at: http://theconversation.com/crime-and-punishment-and-rehabilitation-a-smarter-approach-41960
Topcounceling Schools. 5 Benefits of Rehabilitation Counselling. Available at: https://www.topcounselingschools.org/lists/5-benefits-rehabilitation-counseling/
