What are prisons for?

Question

For me prisons are a source to punish actions then rehabilitate people. Although some people can never be rehabilitated, I think those who can have been done a disservice by the current prison systems.
To me one way that really shows some potential for rehabilitation is allowing non-violent offenders to care for pets. A few prisons have done this by pairing inmates with shelter animals. The animals love them unconditionally and depend completely on the inmates which many inmates have said has helped them realize they need to change their ways if they truly want to help their new babies. I think this is a program that should be extended nationwide because not only does it help rehabilitate inmates and potentially reduce the number of repeat offenders, it also gives many shelter animals a much needed home.
What do you think should change about prison systems to help them reach their goals (whether that be fair punishment or rehabilitation)? Or are prison systems doing well already in your opinion?
What do you think the prison system could change about it's structure to help rehabilitate those who can be rehabilitated?
(title is poll question)

Answer

The USA prisons do not rehabilitate and don not provide education, information, or care to learn to be better or have the opportunity to become better. They are for punishment.

Answer

Prisons don't work for rehabilitation. That's just complete BS. It's punishment.

Answer

Ok this is long.... My uncle is currently serving a 10 year sentence. He has a severe brain injury from an auto accident and all ability to reason is gone, he was doing well in programs and with family who were helping him lead an independent life.... Then somehow he met the wrong person who got him involved in drugs and convinced him to rob a gas station with a knife.... It happened so quickly, his program managers and family never saw it coming... We had hoped that with his medical conditions and the fact that it was his first offense he would be released early, but no such luck. Since he had a knife they want him to do all 10 years.... He has been bullied, beaten, raped, and his medications for his brain injury were not given correctly if at all.... He has suffered tremendously in our prison system and has no idea where he is now since he has been moved around a few times.... We FINALLY, after 5 years, got him removed from general population and put in with an older, much more quiet group of inmates and he has done much better. His meds still get screwed up occasionally but its not as bad as before. He has finished his GED and read his bible from cover to cover several times, he works and earns money by doing jobs like dishes, laundry and general cleaning. He is an amazing artist and sends his family drawings once a month. He dosent remember the robbery at all, he was not on his medications at that time, could not tell right from wrong, dosent know where he was and dosent remember being picked up by police at all. There are MANY aspects of our prison system that need to change. MANY ways it could be better.... I understand its a prison sentence, not a vacation, but at the same time these people are human and need decent care. What frustrates me most is that when he truly needed help they turned a blind eye to him and didn't acknowledge the problems, it took legal action from his family to get him out of a dangerous situation, what if he didnt have family to help?

Answer

It would be a lot less expensive for tax payers if prisons were in the business of rehabilitation. As it is now, prisons have no vested interest in preventing recidivism. Fo profit prisons are ultimately bad for the tax payer and bad for society.

Answer

I've been in and I dare someone to shame me for it. I'm clean now and getting sober was the best/hardest thing I did with my life.

Answer

They should first act to deter crime from civilians.

It should then act to rehabilitate those who DO commit crimes.

If they cannot be helped, then jail should be to keep dangerous people away from the public.

Answer

I think private prisons are modern slavery.

Look at the 13th admendment. It still allows it.

Answer

I remember when I was living at my parents before I moved out. I was watching a documentary about prisoners, I'm pretty sure this one was about murderers I can't quite recall. But anyway, these prisoners had tv in their cells, Xbox, even pets. I remember saying to mum they've committed crimes and get all these nice things, I work, go to uni, haven't committed any crimes and I'm not even allowed a guinea pig 😂😂😂😂. I understand programs will rehabilitate offenders and how important pet therapy is but I can't get my head around the TVs, Xbox, pool tables etc 🤔

Answer

Lol maybe I should have said "What *should* prisons be for?", But most people usually seem to get confused when I say should, thinking I mean must.

Answer

Considering the ACTUAL meaning of punishment is simply to decrease or stop a behavior, I'd say they are for punishment. However, that is not how society views punishment. Rehabilitation serves both punishment (the behavior no longer occurs) and gives the person a way to contribute to society. So, punishment kind of "falls under" rehabilitation. Basically, I think it's possible to punish, but not rehabilitate. It is not possible however, to rehabilitate and not punish (by the actual definition, not the societal one). For that reason, I voted that prisons should rehabilitate.

What are prisons for?

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