Essay Sample on Reforming and Rehabilitating Inmates

Introduction

The film, The Shawshank Redemption, conveys the effect of long prison sentences effectively. Ellis "Red" Redding, one of the main characters, calls this effect 'institutionalization.' He states, 'These walls are kind of funny. First, you hate 'em, then you get used to 'em. Enough time passes, gets so you depend on them. That is institutionalized. They send you here for life; that is exactly what they take. That part that counts, anyway' (The Shawshank Redemption). However, Andy Dufresne never permits his spirit to be confined by the prison walls, unlike the other inmates who become resigned to life inside. Notably, this is evident at the beginning of his sentence, as he appears confident and self-assured, and as time progresses, this quiet confidence shows more clearly in the noticeable and inspiring actions that he takes. This confidence even influences Red that after his release, instead of committing suicide like Brooks, a prisoner released earlier; Red breaks his parole and goes to Zihuatanejo to look for his friend, Andy. The film is a clear representation of the American prison justice policy, which has become continuously more punitive. However, it is not always that the punitiveness achieves the goal of the punishment or incapacitation (Steinberg and Piquero 1). Moreover, Steinberg and Piquero (1) argue that the punitiveness is frequently less effective than less harsh alternatives such as providing offenders rehabilitative services. Thus, the opinion of this paper is that prisons should focus their efforts on reforming and rehabilitating inmates so that they can reintegrate with and contribute to society when they are released.

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According to Chikadzi (288), offenders face countless challenges upon release from prison. The challenges become a barrier to rehabilitation and raise ex-offenders' chances of reoffending. Moreover, the prison environment is different significantly from mainstream society. Thus, once released, offenders are plunged into an environment that is different from the lockup environment. They struggle to cope, and some choose to commit suicide. Such a case is evident in the film, where Brooks Hatlen eventually hangs himself after his parole (The Shawshank Redemption). Furthermore, provided the dynamic and ever-changing natures of society, ex-inmates who spend long periods in prison are leased into an environment that is very different from their former environment prior to imprisonment. Given that successful reintegration of convicts is critical to crime reduction, it is essential that people understand the science of offender reintegration thoroughly. Such understanding enables professionals, the families, and the society to assist the convicts better to adjust upon release, which helps in reducing their likelihood of recidivism (Duwe 2). Chikadzi (288) asserts that offender reintegration refers to the process of transition from imprisonment into mainstream society, where convicts start to adjust to the outside world after their release and hopefully get to live a life free from crime (Steinberg and Piquero 1). They can only live such a life if prisons create programs and services that rehabilitate and reform the inmates in readiness for the environment outside prisons.

All the initiatives and services that prisons give to support prisoners in the pre- and post-release stage to ensure that they become law-abiding citizens comprise offender reintegration (Duwe 1). These programs and services constitute the rehabilitative paradigm, an approach that views punishment as a means to an end. In particular, this approach is seen as an effort to reform the prisoner to become a law-abiding citizen who contributes to the good of society (Chikadzi 289). Examples of programs include offending behavior initiatives, drug programs, and basic literacy and numeracy. These initiatives could reduce reoffending or crime rates. Another initiative is giving the offenders an opportunity to meet with their victims and show remorse for their actions. This assists the prisoners to assume responsibility and acknowledge the consequences of their actions on other people. Where possible, restitution is made and this strengthens the possibility of reform. Additionally, it smoothens the re-entry of a prisoner back into society upon release (Chikadzi 290). The essence of a successful rehabilitation and reforming is that it encourages convicts to choose to desist, instead of coercing them. Thus, they gain the ability to break the powerful grip of their criminal background and change their way of thinking and acting. For instance, the change in Red's thinking helps him readjust to life after prison that he chooses not to commit suicide; rather he searches for his friend (The Shawshank Redemption).

Additionally, reforming and rehabilitating convicts is necessary to prepare them for employment upon release. Moreover, employment is critical in helping ex-offenders to transition successfully from prison to the community. An offender who finds a job upon release is less likely to re-offend because he or she can fend for him or herself. However, getting employment after incarceration is a significant challenge as prospective employers view employing ex-convicts as a risk not worth taking (Chikadzi 294). Nevertheless, prisoners can use the skills they get through the rehabilitation programs to build businesses to help them become self-employed. Also, post-release employment is crucial from a cost-benefit perspective (Duwe 3). After all, when convicts are working, they are usually paying income tax that helps generate revenue for federal and state governments. Similarly, correctional rehabilitation can generate a monetary benefit to society through costs avoided from prevention of crime. Mainly, crime is costly to society since it results in victim costs, criminal justice system costs, and lost-productivity costs linked to the prisoners (Duwe 3). Furthermore, when people are convicted, institutional misconduct represents an additional cost because correctional staff time is consumed with processing discipline violations.

Nevertheless, the rehabilitation and reform of convicts is a collective responsibility of society. In particular, Chikadzi (290) notes that the successful rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners into the society can only be made effective and meaningful by permitting the participation of multiple stakeholders. Therefore, institutions like the courts, police, voluntary entities and communities are viewed as essential in supporting and facilitating the successful rehabilitation and reintegration of convicts. Moreover, upon release, the ex-convicts return to families and communities that often stereotypes and rejects them. In many ways, this precludes rehabilitation, given that when ex-convicts are rejected, there most probably sources of contact will be fellow criminals. Notably, peer pressure and influence from such friends will lead to recidivism (Chikadzi 293). Thus, social workers and voluntary organizations that work alongside prisons should help and educate families and communities concerning the need to support ex-convicts when they are released from prison. This includes supporting advocacy attempts to push for policy considerations that accommodate ex-convicts and enhance their employment prospects. Moreover, one key principle that underlies the social work profession is the belief in people's capacity to change. Thus, advocating for offenders to get access to employment opportunities should be viewed as a crucial aspect of a comprehensive crime-fighting strategy.

Work Cited

Chikadzi, Victor. "Challenges facing ex-offenders when reintegrating into mainstream society in Gauteng, South Africa." Social Work 53.2 (2017): 288-300.

Duwe, Grant. The use and impact of correctional programming for inmates on pre-and post-release outcomes. US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice, 2017.

Steinberg, Lawerence, and Alex Piquero. "Rehabilitation versus incarceration of juvenile offenders: Public preferences in four models for change states." (2008).

The Shawshank Redemption. Dir. Frank Darabont. Perf. Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler, Clancy Brown, Gil Bellows, and James Whitmore. Columbia Pictures, 1994.