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Caeley Childers

July 2020

The Benefit of Rehabilitation Programs Versus Punishment

Rehabilitation programs and offenders who go through them have a higher chance of

returning to society as functional members rather than those who are simply punished for a

crime. Those punished are more likely to offend again and remain to be addicts when they get

released from incarceration. Recently released addicts also need resources and guidance after the

fact in areas like getting a job and making money, strengthening relationships, accountability,

etc. Especially for juveniles, rehabilitation is an important step for those addicted to drugs, and

positively impacts the communities they live in. These communities are typically low income

and crime riddled and the need of the positive impact of rehabilitation to maintain healthier

environments is significant. For inmates and their wellbeing, for the cost effectiveness, lower

rates of recidivism, etc. rehabilitation and reentry have been found to have had significantly

positive effects on justice systems and communities throughout the U.S. Rehabilitation resources

for addicts and those who are released from incarceration could have positive results in different

aspects of the justice system and individuals all over the country.

In previous studies this benefit of rehabilitation has been statistically seen, like the one

from Dr. Claire Axiak featured in the 2016 Malta Medical Journal, noted this positive impact

and the reduction of recidivism in these communities. “Inmates who were not administered any

opioid substitution treatment were 74% less likely to reoffend compared to those who were given

methadone or tramadol. Moreover, the likelihood of recidivism was 1.7 times greater for each

additional prior incarceration.” (Axiak 2016). This study, as well as studies prior to, have shown

that inmates who struggled with addiction can be successful after receiving treatment, however,
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the results were different when the history of the inmate included more previous charges, etc.

Another factor of recidivism is demographics and geographic location. A study from the Journal

of Social Service focused on recidivism among different races in metropolitan and non-

metropolitan areas. Unexpectedly, they found that rates of recidivism were almost stabilized

between different races and areas, all having the commonality with some sort of reentry issue

after being incarcerated. This study highlighted the need for support and rehabilitation for former

inmates when returning to society.

A common link between most studies about rehabilitation or especially crime rates

among youth involve the social theory of labeling. The Labeling Theory claims that if a person is

treated like or told they are someone who will behave badly, make poor choices, not succeed,

etc. then they will indeed fill that role as they feel they are not left with other options. There are

several factors that can be looked at to determine the best way to treat drug addicts for them and

their communities. Drug addicts typically live in low-income communities that have high crime

rates. This leaves the members of the communities, including the youth, to live in a dangerous

area with easy access to certain drugs. Having rehabilitation programs in place to actually treat

addicts instead of simply dealing with them would positively impact the crime rate and the

influence of other members of the community. The overwhelming issue of recidivism in the U.S.

is evident in the statistics. A 2005 study found that within 3 years of release around 68% of

offenders were rearrested and after 5 years of release, 76.6% of offenders were rearrested

(Durose et al 2014). The issue of the well-being of a community as a whole is just as important

as the individuals themselves.

Many addicts are charged and incarcerated due to their addiction. This has a negative

impact on communities and individuals as well. Placing addicts in the jail environment without
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consideration of their well-being can be dangerous. Inmates who are non-violent share quarters

with inmates who may be violent. Being in this environment could put them around an influence

that would potentially only teach them to become better criminals. Previous records and

behaviors of each inmate should be considered when they are incarcerated. While doing time for

a crime is natural and just, there is more thought that should go into the handling of each inmate

than there has been in the past. Especially for youth and juveniles, this can impact their

development and be a predictor of negative behavior they might display in the future and

increase their criminality. Imprisonment and correctional facilities usually do not focus on

teaching those incarcerated how to return to society without relying or taking part in criminal

activity. The blind devotion to justice and justice alone, keeps important resources and learning

opportunities from inmates.

There are several misconceptions that can impact the perspective of rehabilitation in

corrections. Many will argue that something that needs to be considered in the mental health of

those who struggle with addiction. Addiction is hard to understand when you haven’t dealt with

it yourself. When someone is addicted to drugs, the substances that are taken affect their brain

and after a period of time this can lead to serious mental health issues that consist of isolation,

decision making problems, cognitive issues, among many other things. It is argued that

incarceration and no focus on these issues within the individual inmates can keep them in an

unhealthy cycle of unemployment, low self-esteem, or low function keeping them from ever

returning to society as a functioning member. An entry from the Journal of Policy Practice with

a study from Doctors Cnaan, Frazier, Draine, and Sinha does a data analysis on reentry for

people released from incarceration .“Upon release, ex-prisoners today have had longer

incarceration periods, possess low levels of education or job skills, and often have significant
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physical and mental health problems and/or drug addiction. As a result, their re-entry into society

is largely unsuccessful.” (Cnaan et al. 2008) In their findings, it is evident that mental health and

rehabilitation is important for inmates to return to society.

Another factor to consider when thinking of the community is the cost of incarceration.

For every corrections facility there is a cost for inmates, staff in corrections, commissary

accounts, etc. that cost thousands of dollars for the average inmate. The Vera Institute of Justice

studied the average cost of incarceration in each state. Accounting for the size of the state and

prison population, it was found that there was an average cost of $33,274 per inmate and a total

spending of $42,883,537,590 in prison expenditures. “In addition to fiscal pressures, the push for

reform has been further bolstered by other factors, including low crime rates; shifting public

opinion that now favors less incarceration and more rehabilitation; and dissatisfaction with past

punitive policies that have failed to moderate persistently high recidivism rates among those sent

to prison” (Mai and Subramanian 2012) The cost has been discussed and other factors that play

into it have been looked at closely. Rehabilitation and reentry in prison forms could very well be

more cost effective, leaving states with the option to spend less on the justice system while also

decreasing recidivism rates. There are several arguments about the cost of prison, but it goes to

show that the financial aspect of incarceration is indeed effecting the budgets and economic

wellbeing of states and communities in the U.S.

A particular group of people that unfortunately often struggle with the bud of what will

be, in most cases, a long-term addiction is juveniles and youth. There are programs specifically

targeting juveniles who struggle with addiction. From a Monitor on Psychology with Dr.

Crawford in 2003, a focus was on family and community based therapeutic rehabilitation was

discussed. This writing supports that rehabilitation is important for juveniles to reduce the risk
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for recidivism and long-term addiction leading to adult charges. Crawford studied an IFCBT

(Integrated Family and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) that focused on rehabilitation for

adolescents that struggled with addiction to drugs. "This study is an important first step in the

examination of the efficacy of adolescent drug treatments that coordinate family-based and

cognitive-behavioral approaches," said Latimer, a professor at Johns Hopkins University's

department of mental health. "The study findings suggest that the IFCBT model is a promising

approach for the treatment of adolescent drug abuse." (Crawford 2003). This study found that

there was an effect alternative to treating juvenile offenders with drug addictions.

In the adolescent stage of life, there is development and learning that is still happening in

their lives. The World Health Organization in 2017 recognized that adolescent use of alcohol and

illegal drugs became a major issue in a lot of countries, including the U.S. Adolescents are at risk

for certain behaviors like reckless driving, sexual risk, and violence. These factors in addition to

the easy access that they have in many countries, these can be predictive behaviors with

consequences that follow them into their adult life. Adolescents are most at risk for falling into

addiction and being incarcerated for such charges. The adolescent stage of life is considered a

“particularly risky one due to increase of impulsive behavior, which relates to the low

development of executive functions of that moment in your life which, a time of high

experimentation, risk-taking, and learning associations.” (Crews and Boettiger 2009). This

known recognition of an increase in impulsiveness at this age is evidence that adolescents are

very subject to addiction and will need more resources available to them to avoid addiction

following them into their adult lives.

On the contrary, an article from Brandon Weston explored the case of a juvenile who

struggle with addiction that plead guilty to vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and was
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given community service and probation in hopes to pursue rehabilitation over punishment. This

case caused a public uproar. The public argued that rehabilitation over punishment shouldn’t be

primary goal in certain cases like this particular one, for example. The study of this case from

Weston supports the idea that justice should be served, but it can also lead back to the argument

that all aspects of the circumstance should be considered. “Overly simplistic procedures often

create an adulthood cliff, where a single objective bright line increases the risk that a juvenile

will end up in a court that is inappropriate given his or her actual culpability. On the other hand,

waiver procedures that do not include objective controls increase the risk of inconsistent

decisions where rehabilitation goals are promoted at the expense of society's legitimate

punishment objectives.” (Weston 2016). The decision of rehabilitation over punishment or vice

versa, is an argument that is had during every case like the one previously mentioned. This

argument advocates for the pursuit of justice in certain situations like this one, there needs to be a

decision made about what weighs heaver in the circumstance, mercy or punishment?

Some advocates for justice argue that paying for crimes and keeping criminals off the

streets should be the primary focus of the justice system. However, rehabilitation advocates

argue that there is more to consider to actually help people and not just see them as inmates and

inmates only. The justice system could use reformation to not only get justice in the eyes of the

law, but also to reshape the lives of individuals to have a more positive impact on communities.

A counter argument presented by journalist from The Federalist, Ryan Hammill, suggests that

rehabilitation dismisses justice and would promote more crime. He states that a humanitarian

approach to justice is not humane at all. “Mercy requires acknowledgment of a crime committed,

just as forgiveness requires confession.” (Hammill 2016). This argument is in favor of justice

pursuing justice, implying that select forms of rehabilitation for inmates actually obstructs the
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law and that the law is the number one priority. This counterargument calls choosing

rehabilitation services maybe effective but not lawful. There seems to be recognition of the

positive effects of rehabilitation, but states that it is not right and should not be the primary

option for getting justice. This pursuit of justice could be considered inhumane, it removes the

emotional aspect of those involved and relies strictly on the enforcement of the law.

Studies on the place of rehabilitation in the justice system have been taking place since

the early 1900s. An interesting review of arguments on this issue can be read on in a Criminal

Justice book from the Department of Justice called Policies, Processes, and Decisions of The

Criminal Justice System. This book discusses the early focus on rehabilitation and corrects,

allowing perspective from both sides to be heard. In the early part of the 20th century,

rehabilitation in corrections was ideal. Later on, it was seen as a failed enterprise that should be

purged from the American justice system. In the argument opposing rehabilitation, it is noted

that rehabilitation programs may work with addiction, but it does not exactly target the

behavioral issues of criminal involvement (112). The book also discusses the effectiveness in

drug use and costs for the justice system. After looking at each argument, in conclusion, the

author found that rehabilitation is much wiser and a happier course to take in corrections if the

situation allows. “Accordingly, it appears that the American public is receptive to correctional

rehabilitation—a level of support that would potentially solidify, if not grow, were intervention

programs conducted more effectively.” (161) The people in many states, after surveys, have

shown support to the idea of correctional rehabilitation and that alone could be a means to be

able to continue to pursue an effective way to reform justice and reshape the lives of inmates.

In conclusion, studies have found that there are plenty of benefits from the incorporation

of rehabilitation programs for drug users instead of simple incarceration. There are several
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aspects of each individual’s life and the situation they’re in that should be considered when

deciding what the best way is to properly move forward. The cost of incarceration would

significantly decrease with less inmates spending longer in jail, when inmates are brought to stay

in correctional facilities, their food, laundry, commissary, postage all gets paid one way or

another. The budget for rehabilitation would be a more appropriate focus on funds to justice for

the government and for inmates and their families. Reentry into society as a functioning member

would have more success rates than before with the right treatment and support, previous

offenders could have more success returning to their lives after incarceration. Justice should still

be served, the law is the law, but with the right disbursement of funds and resources we could

change the lives of inmates and have a more meaningful and successful distribution of justice

and return more people into society, including the work force. Especially with juveniles, it is

important to solve these issues instead of allowing recidivism to take over their lives leading to

serious consequences like death, not being able to function or work, not being able to make

money, etc. We ask ourselves what the primary action should be taken with drug addicts,

rehabilitation or justice, but why can’t there be a focus on both? We have to consider the fact that

drug addicts are humans too, everyone deserves the opportunity to be healthy, happy, and live a

life with dignity.

Works Cited
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Axiak, Claire. “The Effect of Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Programs on Recidivism in

Malta.” Malta Medical Journal, vol. 28, no. 1, Mar. 2016, pp. 41–47. EBSCOhost,

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Cnaan RA, et al. “Ex-Prisoners’ Re-Entry: An Emerging Frontier and a Social Work

Challenge.” Journal of Policy Practice, vol. 7, no. 2/3, June 2008, pp. 178–

198. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?

direct=true&db=ccm&AN=105794676&site=eds-live.

Cornellà-Font, Maria-Gràcia, et al. “Risk of Addiction: Its Prevalence in Adolescence and Its

Relationship with Security of Attachment and Self-Concept.” Clinica y Salud, vol. 31,

no. 1, Mar. 2020, pp. 21–25. EBSCOhost, doi:10.5093/clysa2020a1.

Crawford, N. S. (2003, October). Adolescent drug abuse treatment works better with

family. Monitor on Psychology, 34(9). http://www.apa.org/monitor/oct03/adolescent

http://www.justicepolicy.org/uploads/justicepolicy/documents/04-

01_rep_mdtreatmentorincarceration_ac-dp.pdf

Crews, F., & Boettiger, C. (2009). Impulsivity, frontal lobes and risk for addiction.

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbb.2009.04.018 Davis, J. P., Dumas, T. M., Wagner, E. F., &

Merrin,

Durose, M., Cooper, A., Snyder, H. (2014). Recidivism of prisoners released in 30 states in

2005: Patterns from 2005 to 2010. Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report.

Gilligan, J. (2012). Prison Could Be Productive. Retrieved June 27, 2020, from

https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/12/18/prison-could-be-

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Horney, J. (2000). Criminal justice 2000. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Dept. of Justice, Office of

Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice.

Hammill, R. (2016, November 21). Why Punishing Criminals Can Be More Merciful Than

'Rehabilitation'. Retrieved July 17, 2020, from

https://thefederalist.com/2016/11/21/punishing-criminals-can-merciful-rehabilitation/

Harbeck, Karen M. “Juvenile Crime in the U.S.” Salem Press Encyclopedia, 2019. EBSCOhost,

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Smith, M. (2019, August 09). The Recovery Diaries: Treatment for Substance Abuse Now

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Staton-Tindall, Michele, et al. “Treatment Utilization Among Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan

Participants of Corrections-Based Substance Abuse Programs Reentering the

Community.” Journal of Social Service Research, vol. 37, no. 4, July 2011, pp. 379–

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Subramanian, R., & Mai, C. (2012, February). Vera Institute. Retrieved July 15, 2020, from

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Sung, Hung-En. “Differential Impact of Deterrence vs. Rehabilitation as Drug Interventions on

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(2018). Honors Research Projects. 650.

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