Traditionally, the public’s attitude toward criminal offenders is one of revenge and punishment, not charity and restoration. “Convicted criminals deserve what’s coming to them” seems to be the descriptive phrase.
Beginning with the Enlightenment (1650-1789), scholars argued for pragmatic law enforcement and more scientific and humane prison management. A common belief in the power of reason led to optimism that rational public policies could virtually eliminate crime and rehabilitate criminals.
This led in the 19th century to the supposed “scientific” study of crime and its causes. But the Enlightenment’s faith in human reason was misplaced. Serious scholars deceived themselves into believing that their own irrational prejudices provided
Beginning with the Enlightenment (1650-1789), scholars argued for pragmatic law enforcement and more scientific and humane prison management. A common belief in the power of reason led to optimism that rational public policies could virtually eliminate crime and rehabilitate criminals.
This led in the 19th century to the supposed “scientific” study of crime and its causes. But the Enlightenment’s faith in human reason was misplaced. Serious scholars deceived themselves into believing that their own irrational prejudices provided