Expert: Philip Sweeting - 11/12/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hi, my name is Andrew Zylstra and I wanted to ask you about rehab vs punishment. I am doing a project for 8th grade civics and would really appreciate the help. I know that Democrats are for rehabilitation and republicans are for punishment and I just need some extra understanding of the two. Thank you for your time.

ANSWER: Answer


Below is an answer I gave to a similar question.

Ultimately rehabilitation would be the way to go but unfortunately by the time someone gets involved with the criminal justice system the odds of rehabilitation are slim. Simply because of the reason they went to jail in the first place. I do believe people can change but the prison environment is not conducive to rehab.

Most end up in prison due to lack of education and the inability to get a job. Once you have been in prison the chances of getting a decent job are even slimmer. Consequently, desperate people do desperate things to survive and generally end up back in prison.

The goal should be neither punishment or rehabilitating. The goal should be education and or programs to keep people from going to jail in the first place. The school dropout rate is about 25% - 40%. Nobody likes to talk about that but that is the group most likely to commit crimes. They need rehabilitation prior to going to prison.

So I guess to answer your specific question would depend on what your definition of rehab is. The standard logic is does prison rehabilitate and my opinion would be that it does not. People go to jail primarily for punishment and it is hoped they will not become involved in criminal activity due to that fear of going to jail.

The truth is punishment and rehab in my opinion are two separate things and you need both equally. But our system is primarily focused on punishment...

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much for this information. This has really helped me with my project so far. Just on last answer I need is to know if you are for rehabilitation or punishment. I really appreciate you help!

Andrew Zylstra

Answer
I'm for both rehab and punishment. People should be punished in some form for their crimes but if they are not rehabilitated they will just commit more crimes and no one wants that. There does become a point when someone may not be rehabilitated or their crime is severe (murder) and if that is the case then they must be incarcerated and kept away from society permanently.

So does that make me an Independent?