When it comes to criminals, do you believe in punishment or rehabilitation?

1. 95

   CWanamakerposted 13 years ago

   When it comes to criminals, do you believe in punishment or rehabilitation?

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2. 66

   PK2010posted 13 years ago

   I would say both. Punishment because there has to be a consequence for breaking the law. Rehabilitation because some criminals become what they are not by choice but by circumstance, hence a mental overhaul will help to establish the root cause of their actions and help them to change for the better. May I add though that not all criminals are capable of change following rehabilitation. Some are essentially evil and have no regrets about what they have done.

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3. 61

   Alphonso Taylorposted 13 years ago

   I believe in both. The criminal should be punished and if he or she chooses to rehabilitate, then so be it. But still, the criminal must come to some sort of redemption of self if not remorse, at least responsibility for action. As far as the death penalty is concerned, criminals should be sentenced years beyond their living. Two kills doesn't bring back a life.

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4. 60

   Matt in Jaxposted 13 years ago

   You have to have a balance of both in the system. Some people can be rehabilitated, but sadly I believe that most cannot.

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5. 60

   Roger Rabbitposted 13 years ago

   If their only crime was being a junkie and they never hurt anyone why would you punish them for only hurting themselves? That's what rehab is for anyone else that uses it to get out of jail time is abusing the system and it very rarely works.

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6. 72

   DonDWestposted 13 years ago

   Both.
   
   Punishment: People have to understand there are consequences to violating the law.
   
   Rehabiliation: Little use letting people go out in the wild west after they have finished their sentance without proper preparation or training.

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7. 59

   stars439posted 13 years ago

   I believe in both. I think their both necessary.

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8. 67

   onegoodwomanposted 13 years ago

   People do find themselves in desperate situations.......leaving children alone, who are too young to be alone, because they can't pay for day care on minimum wage.  Running an extension cord to the neighbors utility box to power their home.
   
   
   But there is NO excuse for harming your fellow being.  I do  not care how bad your childhood, marriage, last boss or coworkers were, you have no excuse to wound or maim another human being.
   
   The punishment is already supposed to fit the crime.  The only problem that I see, is our court systems have become too lenient. 
   
   How many "second" chances should we get?

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9. 59

   The Demon Writerposted 13 years ago

   Not everybody is capable of rehabilitation.
   Some people are criminals due to circumstance. Others are criminals by nature.
   A sociopath or Psychopath cannot really be cured as there is fundamentally nothing wrong with them. They are just different from the rest of society. Those are just examples though.
   You can rehabilitate those who have hope but you could also very easily con someone into thinking you are 'better' when in fact you are just as 'sick' as ever. A lot of these criminal types can be very manipulative.
   It is hard to say in the end what should be done because the justice system is so screwed up. Do the crime and do the time. If possible be rehabilitated along the way.
   Who is to say you can't do both?

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    wilbury4posted 13 years ago

    I would say punishment. Punishment can help to rehabilitate but can rehabilitation be acheived without punishment?

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11. 60

    Sarah Massonposted 13 years ago

    I think it depends on the crime. If for example it's drug related, then I believe in rehabilitation (or hope to) and if it's for murder then I think punishment is the only option. You can't take a life and then live your own.

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12. 60

    krystalsmithposted 13 years ago

    I think it depends on the crime and whether or not they are a repeat offender.
    
    For instance if somebody just ran on hard times and shop lifted some baby clothes for their kid they should be rehabilitated and given tools so that they no longer run into that situation again.
    
    On the other hand if a bunch of kids jump an elderly woman and rob her they should be punished - see my hub "Common Sense answer to the USA's crime problem."

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13. 60

    Alison Rodriguezposted 13 years ago

    I think the two should be bi-conditional.  Punishment without rehabilitation is malicious.

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