Prison inmates, are some of the most "maladjusted" people in society.
Most of the inmates have had too little discipline or too much, come from
broken homes, and have no self-esteem. They are very insecure and are "at
war with themselves as well as with society" (Szumski 20). Most inmates
did not learn moral values or learn to follow everyday norms. Also, when
most lawbreakers are labeled criminals they enter the phase of secondary
deviance. They will admit they are criminals or believe it when they enter
the phase of secondary deviance (Doob 171). Next, some believe that if
we want to rehabilitate criminals we must do more than just send them to
prison. For instance, we could give them a chance to acquire job skills;
which will improve the chances that inmates will become productive citizens
upon release. The programs must aim to change those who want to change.
Those who are taught to produce useful goods and to be productive are "likely
to develop the self-esteem essential to a normal, integrated personality"
(Szumski 21). This kind of program would provide skills and habits and
"replace the sense of hopelessness" that many inmates have (Szumski 21).
Moreover, another technique used to rehabilitate criminals is counseling.
There is two types of counseling in general, individual and group counseling.
Individual counseling is much more costly than group counseling. The aim
of group counseling is to develop positive peer pressure that will influence
its members. One idea in many sociology text is that group problem-solving
has definite advantages over individual problem-solving. The idea is that
a wider variety of solutions can be derived by drawing from the experience
of several people with different backgrounds. Also one individuals problem
might have already been solved by another group member and can be suggested.
Often if a peer proposes a solution it carries more weight than if the
counselor were to suggest it (Bennett 20-24).
Further, in sociology, one of the major theories of delinquency is differential
association (Cressey 1955). This means some people learned their ways from
"undesirable" people who they were forced to be in association with and
that this association "warps" their thinking and social attitudes. "Group
counseling, group interaction, and other kinds of group activities can
provide a corrective, positive experience that might help to offset the
earlier delinquent association" (Bennett 25). However, it is said that
group counseling can do little to destroy the power of labeling (Bennett
26). The differential-association theory emphasizes that a person is more
likely to become a criminal if the people who have the greatest influence
upon them are criminals (Doob 169). Despite all the advantages of group
counse»_@rial
Most of today's correctional institutions lack the ability and programs
to rehabilitate the criminals of America. One can predict that a prisoner
held for two, four, eight or ten years, then released , still with no education
or vocational skills will likely return to a life of crime. Often their
life in crime will resume in weeks after their release. Although the best
prisons and programs in the world will not cure the problem totally, improvements
still must be made (Szumski 20).
Prison inmates, are some of the most "maladjusted" people in society.
Most of the inmates have had too little discipline or too much, come from
broken homes, and have no self-esteem. They are very insecure and are "at
war with themselves as well as with society" (Szumski 20). Most inmates
did not learn moral values or learn to follow everyday norms. Also, when
most lawbreakers are labeled criminals they enter the phase of secondary
deviance. They will admit they are criminals or believe it when they enter
the phase of secondary deviance (Doob 171). Next, some believe that if
we want to rehabilitate criminals we must do more than just send them to
prison. For instance, we could give them a chance to acquire job skills;
which will improve the chances that inmates will become productive citizens
upon release. The programs must aim to change those who want to change.
Those who are taught to produce useful goods and to be productive are "likely
to develop the self-esteem essential to a normal, integrated personality"
(Szumski 21). This kind of program would provide skills and habits and
"replace the sense of hopelessness" that many inmates have (Szumski 21).
Moreover, another technique used to rehabilitate criminals is counseling.
There is two types of counseling in general, individual and group counseling.
Individual counseling is much more costly than group counseling. The aim
of group counseling is to develop positive peer pressure that will influence
its members. One idea in many sociology text is that group problem-solving
has definite advantages over individual problem-solving. The idea is that
a wider variety of solutions can be derived by drawing from the experience
of several people with different backgrounds. Also one individuals problem
might have already been solved by another group member and can be suggested.
Often if a peer proposes a solution it carries more weight than if the
counselor were to suggest it (Bennett 20-24).
Further, in sociology, one of the major theories of delinquency is differential
association (Cressey 1955). This means some people learned their ways from
"undesirable" people who they were forced to be in association with and
that this association "warps" their thinking and social attitudes. "Group
counseling, group interaction, and other kinds of group activities can
provide a corrective, positive experience that might help to offset the
earlier delinquent association" (Bennett 25). However, it is said that
group counseling can do little to destroy the power of labeling (Bennett
26). The differential-association theory emphasizes that a person is more
likely to become a criminal if the people who have the greatest influence
upon them are criminals (Doob 169).
Most of today's correctional institutions lack the ability and programs
to rehabilitate the criminals of America. One can predict that a prisoner
held for two, four, eight or ten years, then released , still with no educationling,
there is disadvantages. For instance, members of the group might not be
as open or show emotion because they want to appear "tough." Also the members
might not express their opinions openly because the others might see it
as "snitching." For the group to work it takes a dedicated counselor (Bennett
22-23). Another type of correctional center used for rehabilitation is
halfway houses. Halfway houses are usually located in residential communities
and are aimed to keep offenders in the community. The name comes from the
fact that they are "halfway between the community and the prison" (Fox
60).
The "rationale" behind halfway houses is that criminal activity originates
in the community, so the community has a responsibility to try to correct
it. Also, sending a person who has deviant behavior and who has been associated
with criminal influences, to prison would just make the problem worse (Fox
61). "The best place for treatment is in the community; this prevents the
breaking of all constructive social ties" (Fox 61). Programs in halfway
houses usually involve work release or study release and group sessions
for therapy and counseling. Most programs vary greatly depending on the
administrator. Generally, the purpose is to "reintegrate" members back
into the community. There are three systems generally used in programs
and in the process: "change by compliance, client-centered change, and
change by credibility in that it 'makes sense." (Fox 73). The compliance
model is designed to make good work habits. The client-centered model focuses
on a high understanding of the person. The credibility model emphasizes
making decisions and getting back into the community. These programs are
made to avoid institutions as much as possible (Fox 73). On the other hand,
many inmates think the government does not want to rehabilitate criminals.
The reason behind this thinking is that prisons supply thousands of jobs
to the economy. Also the construction of new prisons brings millions of
dollars into the economy each year and if there were no new prisons needed
it would mean the loss of thousands of jobs (Szumski 24-26). Henry Abernathy
and inmate in Texas said "just think what a catastrophe it would cause
if all cons across the country decided never to commit another crime."
Richard Cepulonis, an inmate in Massachusetts said just the title "Department
of Corrections" is a "misnomer" he said "they don't correct anything."
In conclusion, things need to be done to improve rehabilitation in America.
Improvements in job training, counseling, and halfway houses for rehabilitation
must be brought to the forefront by citizens. If we do not get involved
and try to make changes, our crime problem could worsen beyond control.
