Do you believe in rehabilitation?

from JoeUser Forums

So I'm listening to some news radio where they play back caller's comments on their topic of the day, with today's topic being Michael Vick's guilty plea and what his punishment should be.

The clips from the callers ranged from (mostly) the 'string him up for what he did' type comments to one woman in particular that felt that he should 'coach kids, perhaps work with injured animals, and do good deeds to make up for what he did.'

To me that female caller was obviously someone that believes in rehabilitation and that everyone can be rehabilititated no matter what they've done.  I won't say for sure (for right now) that I do or don't agree with that stance, but I do want to know what others think so the question is here for everyone.

Do you believe in rehabilitation and that people can perhaps redeem prior behavior through current acts?

1,079 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
Can this thread be redeemed through everyone's comments?
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
Rehabilitation should always be a central concept within any penal system. The court hands down the sentence, the latter is a totally separate issue. It makes no sense not to try to change the nature of the individual whilst incarcerated, it will reduce if not eleminate the chances of reoffending. How successfull that attempt will be, is of course a mute point with some individuals, but try we must if they are scheduled to return to society and not spend the remaining part of the natural life behind bars.

Whether their actions redeem themselves is a massive grey area. To quote an extreme, I believe you can rehabilitate a murderer so that on eventual release we might have a chance of preventing reoffending; but no matter how successfull the rehabilitation and the offenders subsequent action, it will never absolve (redeem) the individual for the crime of murder. The other end of the extreme, maybe, for example the henious crime of persistent reoffending litter lout (aka 10 days in jail) is hardly the crime of the century and some community service on release is enough to redeem the "crime".
Elemental: Reforged
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
Yes - in some cases.  I dont think that all are incorrigible. But rehab should not be seen as a panacea either.  Some will never rehabilitate.
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
The problem is with the sentencing itself - do you sentence as if there is no possible rehabilitation, or do you try and reduce sentences so the rehabilitated can get on with their lives once they are better?

I think you need to balance it, which they do not seem to do very well. Long suspended sentences are a good tool to rehabilitate, as is probation. Basically, you commit another crime, you are back in and serving your new sentence and the old one. So you avoid crime. At least, I hope it works.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
I don't have a problem giving people second chances for things that are "redeemable" (in my head).

But really big things, well, I don't know if rehabilitation really matters. It does nothing for the victim.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
Barry Minkow rehabilitated, at least a church in San Diego thinks so.