During my research on our last two papers, I have come across some interesting questions and formed some of my own regarding prison reform. The prevailing consensus seems to be that we need to provide education to convicts to help in rehabilitation and reintegration into society. The principal question seems to revolve around our failure to institute policies to enhance convict education. The bulk of the evidence that I have been able to find shows that in the last thirty or so years, the United States has taken successful criminal rehabilitation education programs and all but removed them.
I have found many articles where politicians cite lower crime rate statistics, but the politicians fail to mention the possible correlation between the number of incarcerated criminals and the lower crime rate. As I have studied articles from the last thirty or so years, I have found that the prison policies and concepts of rehabilitation have often changed to fit the current political mindset. The objective being to garner votes for politicians, meanwhile the interests and welfare of society are being ignored.
My research into this subject is far from completed, but already I have found some very interesting facts and statistics. I look forward to more in-depth study.
bruce macmillan said,
December 30, 2006 at 4:52 am
hi
can you give me some insight on your research on prison reform .? I am doing my masters in law and would appreciate some input from the other side of the pond.
thanking you
bruce macmillan
port elizbeth
south africa