Prison Rehabilitation

What is the purpose of prison? It is believed that prison serves the purpose to punish criminals for their wrongdoing and then release them back into society, ready to live a better life. Although in today’s times, is more punishment and way less rehabilitation.
Most US prisons today are more focused on punishment than rehabilitation. Once a prisoner is discharged from a prison, they will find it difficult to transition back into society. For example, having a criminal record will make it harder to get a job so most will likely turn back to crime in order to make a living. It is because of this that the US has one of the largest rearrest rates in the world. Sometimes, prison can even do the opposite of rehabilitation. The environment of most prisons can lead inmates to develop aggressive behavior and a study called the Stanford Prison Experiment (“Rehabilitate or Punish”) showed that prisoners without any mental illness end up developing one during their time in prison. It is clear that prison is not a very effective solution and that something needs to be done.
That’s where prison programs come in. Programs like The Choice is Yours (TCIY) and the Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Program (PIECP) offer rehabilitation services to non-violent offenders in prison. TCIY is a program that offers …show more content…
Once prisoners leave, it would be easier for them to find a job and make a living, making it less likely for them to return to crime. The rearrest rates of those who left programs is way less than the rearrest rates of regular prisons*. These programs don’t only benefit those taking them. The cost of programs is way less than incarceration*, and programs like PIECP help cover the cost of prison care, which means fewer tax dollars being used. This also supports the economy because once prisoners finish these programs, they can get a job easier and it will help businesses. The benefits of prison programs aren’t just limited to those taking