Running head: REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS

Rehabilitation of Offenders
Name
Institution
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REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS

Rehabilitation of Offenders
The choice of punishment imposed on a criminal for the offence committed has always
raised massive disagreements among the lawmakers and the people alike. Different people hold
diverse opinions concerning the degree of penalty attached to different crimes. While some
individuals advocate for lengthy jail terms, others support rehabilitation approach whereby the
offender undergoes the re-educational process. In order to end the debate, the government ought
to choose one of the options and strictly adhere by the particular choice. I am convinced that a
rehabilitation approach is better than subjecting the offender to a jail sentence.
During rehabilitation, prisoners engage themselves in unpaid community service.
According to Craig, Dixon, and` Gannon (2013), community service encompasses tasks such as
assisting in social service agencies and maintenance of clean roads and parks. These tasks render
the offenders useful to the society and ensure they remain in touch with the member s of the
community. Consequently, it becomes easy for the community to accept them back. Moreover,
they remain productive instead of wasting time in prison. Furthermore, the government would
make remarkable savings through reduced budgetary allocations to prisons.
Although inflicting long-term jail sentences would serve as a caution to others, it might
have dismal impact on behavior of the imprisoned. Confining lawbreakers may only prevent
them from committing the mistakes again without serving any other significant role. As a result,
re-educating the criminals would help avoid seclusion otherwise encourages unbecoming
behavior such as homosexuality, violence and drug abuse (Hassine and Wright, 1996).

REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS

In conclusion, it serves no purpose denying criminal offenders freedom to interact with

the society as espoused herein. It is apparent re-educating and rehabilitating them instills sense of
responsibility and elevates their self-esteem. Rather than considering themselves as outcast from
normal living, they would feel important when injecting their efforts and contributing their time
to the welfare of the community. The education and rehabilitation process triggers their
transformation without much resistance.

REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS

References
Craig, L. A., Gannon, T. A., & Dixon, L. (Eds.). (2013). What works in offender rehabilitation:
An evidence-based approach to assessment and treatment. John Wiley & Sons.
Hassine, V., & Wright, R. A. (1996). Life without parole: Living in prison today. T. J. Bernard, &
R. McCleary (Eds.). Roxbury Publishing Company.