While people go to prison because of their crimes, it is essential to remember that each has their story and life in addition to the crime committed. Therefore, it is crucial to consider other characteristics besides the label of a criminal during interactions. Various groups of prisoners have different needs and suggest specific problems for the correctional system. For example, the older generation and sick prisoners need medical support, which correction is obliged to provide, requiring considerable resources at taxpayers’ expense. Sex offenders pose a security risk, as this type of inmate often becomes a target for threats from other prisoners.
Moreover, the system does not have adequate treatment options for them. For long-term offenders, management must find options to make prison life livable. For juvenile people, the organization of education and protection against abuse is necessary. Prison women are also often victims of abuse or harassment (Clear et al. 318). Moreover, women have different needs for medical services and opportunities to see children.
Given the diversity of groups and related issues, differential treatment for them is justified in order to better manage, protect, and rehabilitate people. Despite the diverse problems of the selected groups, their distinctions were not considered in the past. Various groups of prisoners often stayed in the same facilities, and the approaches to their rehabilitation constantly changed depending on the dominant social views and ideas. Therefore, in the modern world, separating prisoners to address their problems better is an effective approach. For example, criminals with mental problems receive the necessary assistance in specialized institutions. Prisoners with HIV and AIDS receive medical care and the training required to prevent the disease from spreading. Therefore, the correctional system develops and becomes more efficient.
A significant number of people who have passed through the correctional system do not repeat crimes. A situational offender is a person who enters a correctional system after a crime, which seems to be a one-time event (Clear et al. 134). Since criminal behavior is not typical for situational offenders, I believe they deserve a facilitated regime in the correctional system, which will focus on help. Support in solving the problem, which led to the crime, can demonstrate that the system works for the benefit of society and believes in correction.
Responses
Response to Maggie
Thank you for your post – the problems of imprisoned women should get more attention, especially on the health issue. Shifting the focus away from the female population, I also want to bring attention to other groups and their differences. For example, juvenile offenders are also vulnerable due to their age and need special treatment to return to everyday life and avoid imprisonment in adulthood. Adapting to ordinary life is vital for the older generation, which leaves places of detention, especially if the sentence is long. Adaptation is also problematic for the older generation that only enters the correctional system. These are just a few examples; therefore, the diversity of groups that can be met in correction should be considered.
Response to Cody
Thank you for your post – you highlight several groups of prisoners, which is essential and can help in their rehabilitation. However, I would like to discuss situational offenders with you more. I agree that any crime should be punished, but I think that the circumstances of such criminals should be considered more carefully. Criminal behavior is not typical of them, which means that extraordinary circumstances or problems have led to the crime. Perhaps such criminals need help more than imprisonment to support the correctional system ideas. Moreover, such offenses can lead to considering the problems present in society and their solution. As a result, ways may be found to prevent crimes. What do you think about this assumption on societal issues and situational offenders?
Work Cited
Clear, Todd R. et al. American Corrections. 11th ed., Cengage Learning, 2015.