rehabilitative justice

Rehabilitative Justice, in my opinion, is the most important of the justice purposes. Many believe that the best way to help offenders is by being able to alter their state of mind. By altering their state of mind, it in turn alters their behavior. Thus, helping the offenders gain better behavior and cope with tough situations. Rehabilitative justice critics believe that this form of punishment does not provide enough justice for the victims and their families. However, now in today’s society the idea of revenge or retribution is considered barbaric. In many instances this is true, it is more important to attempt and make the individual at fault understand that their behavior was wrong then to punish them by making them pay for what they did.

            When do we as humans draw the line? What makes it okay do wrong to others as was done to us? Now, it does not mean that punishment is not necessary. It most certainly is, however the form of punishments that have been put in place so far have done little to lower the rate of recidivism. For instance, even though crime rate has gone down since 2008, it is still happening far too often. Jails and prisons have remained incredibly overcrowded, and the amount of money being used to keep these facilities running is very high. A lot of people argue that rehabilitative justice, say that it will cost more to get rehabilitative programs up and running. In the long run, it will more cost efficient because people will be less likely to go back into jail.   

            Most people who are against rehabilitative justice are people who do not view the offender as a human. They do not take into consideration that everyone makes mistakes, and everyone has different ways of reacting to certain situations. People have different brains, therefore think differently, and behave differently. Some people think it is okay to lie if it keeps somebody from getting hurt, and others feel that it is never okay to lie. Some crimes are too serious and this analogy may not apply, but is it not our divine right to be there and help one another.        

            It is hard to justify crimes like rape, murder, child molestation, etc. As a matter of fact, there is no justification for those types of crimes. The place where rehabilitation programs are more effective would be in jails. Most times jails hold people who are in there for less serious crimes such as, drug related crimes, robbery, stealing, just to name a few. These are the offenders who have a chance and learning behavior that will prevent them from committing the same crimes. Those who have committed heinous crimes are usually suffer from some sort of psychological disorder ranging from, psychopathy, sociopathy, and a many more. Many of these criminals are unable to benefit from any kind of rehabilitative program.

            The main goal of rehabilitative programs is to alter an offender’s behavior for the better. They attempt to do so by teaching them different and better ways of dealing with frustrating circumstances. Many times, when someone who has a history of criminal behavior, encounters those situations, it results in criminal behavior or activity. The main goal is to help the offenders reshape their thinking process, this is key in prevent and stopping criminal behavior.

            Rehabilitative justice is a crucial form of punishment. It would be very beneficial if everyone realized such and gave it a chance. I understand the reluctance towards it, but it is time to realize that the previous way of punishment are not being effective, and it is time to give rehabilitation a shot.