Why is rehabilitation better than incarceration

How should we treat convicted criminals? This is a matter of continuing public debate, and varies enormously across countries. Even within the so-called developed world, there are wide variations. The US, for example, imprisons more people per capita over per , than any other country in the world.

At the other end of the spectrum are the Scandinavians. Norway, for example, has one of the lowest, at 66 per , While the composition and severity of crime varies, the US and the Scandinavian model represent different philosophies. The US system focuses more on punishment, whereas the Scandinavian model emphasises rehabilitation: treatment and support aimed to help the offender become a law abiding member of society.

This might include developing skills to improve employability or treating mental health problems, for example. The UK falls somewhere in between these two models. Although it has the highest prison population per capita in western Europe, the country has experimented with initiatives aimed at diverting low level offenders away from prison.

One of the largest such schemes — Operation Checkpoint — is being run by Durham Constabulary. Of course, while not every rehabilitation programme in the UK has been rigorously evaluated, these results are consistent with other evidence across England and Wales indicating that non-custodial alternatives can reduce crime. The effective response to crime has always been a matter of debate.

While the retributive idea of justice seeks to inflict a cost or hardship on the criminal as a just response to crime, the rehabilitation model seeks to provide support that can reform the criminal.

Approximately 15 to 20 per cent of the two million American prisoners subject to judicial control suffer from some form of intellectual contamination, as estimated by the U. Department of Justice. Jails were designed in such a way to keep mental health patients out of local mental health treatment and drug rehab centers. Whereas hospitals focus on treating mental illness, clinics treat it. Psychologists and psychiatrists mainly work with mental health professionals and drug rehabilitation specialists to provide psychological and rehabilitative care to jailed inmates.

Prison-based therapists have a heavy caseload, which makes implementing such programs challenging. This is a huge problem for drug rehabilitation. Also, there are not enough intellectually fit individuals to address all the demands of the United States Prisons. There is also a range of philosophical and precedent differences between creating and implementing drug rehabilitation programs for the inmates and the difficulty of implementing the programs.

In contrast to psychology, which emphasizes the needs of each patient and attempts to rehabilitate them, criminal justice emphasizes incarceration and drug rehabilitation instead. Would you like to help yourself or a loved one enter into and complete a drug rehabilitation program so that you can become more productive in your daily life?

Ben Lesser is one of the most sought-after experts in health, fitness and medicine. His articles impress with unique research work as well as field-tested skills. We are honored to have Ben writing exclusively for Dualdiagnosis. Inhaltsverzeichnis show. Ben Lesser. Recent Posts. Nuubu Patches product test, experiences and ratings Ben Lesser September 24, Heroin vs. Prescription Opioids: Which is Worse? An inpatient rehab facility is a far better environment for addicts in recovery.

In rehab, clients will have a structured schedule, yet still have much more personal freedom than afforded inside jail. The day will be divided into slots for therapy, counseling sessions, step program meetings, meals, recreation, and free time. There will be a set time when clients are expected to be in their rooms at night.

The cost of rehab varies depending on the amenities and the location. The scope and nature of the treatment program will also impact the cost. You can reduce these costs substantially by considering outpatient addiction treatment. Outpatient treatment will also typically be covered by your health insurance. You should first ask friends and family for recommendations. Search online for rehabs near you. Whether or not someone deserves to be punished for breaking the law is not the real issue.

What is more pertinent is whether someone who commits a crime purely because of drug addiction receives a proportional punishment by being thrown in with a community of often violent criminals without the right support in place for addiction treatment. The alternative of mandatory addiction treatment would certainly yield superior long-term dividends.

Our evidence-based outpatient treatment programs can help you address alcohol use disorder or substance use disorder without the expense or the inconvenience of residential rehab.

With a combination of medication-assisted treatment and psychotherapy like cognitive behavioral therapy CBT , you can beat addiction before you end up running into legal trouble, or behind bars. All you need to do to get started is reach out to the friendly Renaissance admissions team today at This number translates to. Sober Friends are the Best Friends One of the most heartbreaking things we hear from people in the recovery process is that they feel discouraged.

From this group, I have made 8 new brothers and friends for life! They have a lot of experience in this field and have first hand experience with what I was going through.

At Orange County, our addiction and mental health treatment centers around your needs. Never-ending compassion, thorough support, and vibrant recovery awaits. Begin your journey. Diana is an addiction expert and licensed marriage and family therapist who has been in the field of mental health for over 10 years. Joseph Gilmore has been in the addiction industry for three years with experience working for facilities all across the country. Verify Insurance. Rehabilitation vs. Verify your Insurance.

Call Today. By: Renaissance Recovery. Authored By: Joe Gilmore. More About the Author. Table of Contents. Incarceration — The Facts The issue of whether to incarcerate or rehabilitate those convicted of drug-related crime is nuanced, and in many ways subjective.

Based on this data, The same cannot be said for the rapidly swelling jail population, though. Incarceration Statistics Some sobering statistics on incarceration next. Someone is arrested every 25 seconds for drug possession in the United States.