Rehabilitation of Prisoners as an Aspect of Crime Prevention

• NCJ Number: 153085
• Journal: Criminology Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: (November 1994) Pages: 21-25
• Author(s): S Spindler
• Date Published: 1994
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: Australia
• Note: Edited version of a paper presented at the Brisbane conference on Crime Prevention in the 1990's, August 1994.

Annotation

Australian correctional policy and practice is ineffective in rehabilitating offenders; this must be changed if recidivism is to be reduced.

Abstract

Australian correctional services are not committed to rehabilitation as a main objective. Prisons are primarily a system to punish and even to exact revenge. Correctional services are underresourced and subject to severe cost-cutting pressures, as the current push towards privatization illustrates. A rehabilitative correctional environment must include humane and effective strategies, primary medical and psychiatric care, crisis intervention service, and a prosocial ethos. A prosocial ethos is just and fair, conducive to change, and characterized by prosocial modeling. It also minimizes harm, promotes self-esteem, maximizes inmates' self-control and sense of control over their environment, encourages inmates to assume responsibility for their actions, and promotes mature coping skills. This article also discusses target groups of offenders who need particular types of treatment programs, prerelease and postrelease programs, a bill of rights for offenders, national legislation, national standards, and changing community attitudes. 11 references