Summary
The article "Rehabilitation in the Criminal Justice System: Shifting from Punishment to Progress" advocates for a transition from a punitive approach to one focused on rehabilitation in the U.S. criminal justice system. It argues that effective rehabilitation programs—such as educational training and mental health services—can address the underlying causes of criminal behavior, reduce recidivism rates, and facilitate successful reintegration into society. By highlighting successful models in countries like Norway and Denmark, the article emphasizes that prioritizing rehabilitation can lead to lasting positive outcomes for individuals and safer communities.
Rehabilitation in the Criminal Justice System: Shifting from Punishment to Progress
The criminal justice system in the United States has long focused on punishment as the primary response to crime. However, in recent years, there has been a growing recognition that punishment alone does not address the underlying causes of criminal behavior or reduce recidivism. Rehabilitation, a process of reforming the behavior of the offender and better equipping him with means to get back into the fold of society, is now increasingly debated as an alternative. Rehabilitation programs can range from educational and vocational training to mental health services and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). By focusing more on reform rather than retribution, we can have a more just and effective correction system.
One relevant course concept that highlights the importance of rehabilitation is the social learning theory, which suggests that behavior is learned from the environment through observation, imitation, and modeling. The authors of Applied Social Psychology: Gruman et al. (2017) state: “According to social learning theory, criminal activity represents learned behaviors that develop through a person’s interactions and experiences with the social environment. This learning takes place as a result of various processes, including observing and imitating the criminal behavior of others, receiving positive consequences for engaging in criminal behavior (e.g., peer approval), realizing that such behavior can effectively lead to desired outcomes (i.e., have instrumental value), and developing a high sense of self-efficacy in using antisocial means to achieve one’s aims” (Gruman et al., 2017, p. 292). This, applied to criminal justice, would mean that when offenders are being placed into environments that reinforce criminal behavior, they become more likely to reoffend. For example, if offenders are given the opportunity to practice positive, prosocial behavior-such as education or therapy-they are more likely to develop behaviors that help them reintegrate into society.
Chapter 11 of Applied Social Psychology (Gruman et al., 2017) explores the notion that criminal behavior is shaped by both individual and situational factors. It highlights that the interaction between a person’s characteristics and their environment plays a crucial role in shaping behavior. For instance, prison environments that encourage aggressive behavior through peer pressure or lack of rehabilitation programs can increase recidivism rates. On the other hand, environments that focus on cognitive restructuring and skill-building provide inmates with the tools they need for societal reentry. For example, Norway and Denmark are considered to have the most effective and humane prison systems in the world. Their prison system focuses on rehabilitation and reintegration into society, and has a low recidivism rate. All Norwegian prisons offer formal education, including primary and secondary school, vocational training, and work qualifying courses. “The Norwegian Education Act” guarantees prisoners the same access to education as other citizens (Incarceration Can Be Rehabilitative, n.d). Norwegian prisons also offer drug treatment and mental health programs. For example, prisoners at Halden Prison, Norway’s maximum security prison, participate in yoga classes with their prison officers. This demonstrates that when prisons prioritize rehabilitation and provide resources like education, vocational training, and mental health support, they can significantly reduce recidivism and better prepare inmates for successful reintegration into society, as seen in countries like Norway and Denmark..
The United States Department of Justice emphasizes the importance of evidence-based rehabilitation programs in reducing recidivism. According to the DOJ, “Research shows that recidivism risk can be effectively reduced through evidence-based programming that targets criminogenic needs, such as courses in cognitive behavioral therapy and other topics” (The United States Department of Justice, 2023). This supports the idea that focusing on programs addressing the root causes of criminal behavior; such as addiction, mental health issues, and lack of education can significantly reduce the likelihood of reoffending.
A key benefit of rehabilitation is its lasting positive effect on both individuals and society. Without rehabilitation, incarceration frequently results in a cycle of reoffending, as individuals are released without the resources or skills to prevent future criminal behavior. In contrast, rehabilitation programs provide people with the tools to secure stable employment, manage their emotions, and reintegrate into their communities. Research indicates that prisoners who engage in educational and vocational training programs are less likely to reoffend and more likely to find employment after release.
In conclusion, shifting the focus of the criminal justice system from punishment to rehabilitation is crucial for reducing recidivism and fostering positive change. Greater integration of rehabilitation programs into prisons, along with more resources for the offenders themselves, would inevitably help break the cycle of crime and create a safer society. The integration of evidence-based approaches, such as CBT, into rehabilitation programs offers a practical solution to addressing the underlying causes of criminal behavior. This shift not only benefits individuals but also helps build stronger, more resilient communities.
References
Gruman, J. A., Schneider, F. W., & Coutts, L. M. (2017). Applied social psychology : understanding and addressing social and practical problems. SAGE.
Incarceration can be rehabilitative. (n.d.). CEPR. https://cepr.org/voxeu/columns/incarceration-can-be-rehabilitative
Kirby, E. J. (2019, July 7). How Norway turns criminals into good neighbours. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-48885846
Lahdon, T. (2023, November 27). From the desk of BJA. Bureau of Justice Assistance. https://bja.ojp.gov/news/justice-matters/desk-bja-november-2023
The United States Department of Justice. (2023).
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