There are four main purposes of sending criminals to prison. They are: retribution, incapacitation, deterrence and rehabilitation.
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The two most immediate consequences of prison are retribution and incapacitation.
Retribution is the punishment for the crime and incapacitation is preventing the person from potentially committing another criminal act.
These immediate acts of imprisonment, once found guilty, reflect the expectations of the community when it comes to public safety and order.
Deterrence is the consequence of a sentence or penalty.
Losing a license for 12 months for drink driving is always in the back of the mind of most people before they sit behind the wheel after enjoying an alcoholic beverage.
As for the major crimes – like trafficking drugs or murder – the length of the sentence is designed to be a major deterrent.
It may be why we don’t report on such crimes every day. However, those crimes do exist.
Rehabilitation is the fourth element. It’s hard to measure or prove.
Yet the act of rehabilitation is a major factor. It’s the hope that lessons can be learned from their past behaviours.
Prisons have many programs to ensure the best result for the prisoners for when they assimilate back into society. There’s mental and physical support and educational programs including basic literacy and maths, certificates and trade training.
However, it’s tough to value or respect the process of rehabilitation when it comes to murder or those who commit offence after offence.
On Wednesday The Examiner put questions to the Justice Department as to why a man sentenced to 45 years in prison for murdering two people would be given three hours have supervised leave for education or rehabilitation purposes after spending only six years in jail.
The mother of one of the victim’s was rightfully disgusted by this decision.
After the queries were followed through on Thursday by us here at The Examiner, the leave was revoked.
Commonsense had prevailed.
There is no way six years is enough time for retribution. No doubt it would be a long time for a prisoner, but for the families, the healing hasn’t even really started.
While rehabilitation is the best outcome, we can’t let it get in the way of justice.