Rehabilitation vs. imprisonment for offenders: What works best?

In recent years we have seen politicians vow to take a ‘tough on crime’ approach within their policies. But is this the best way to prevent re-offending? Or should rehabilitative methods be the main focus in order to secure safer communities in the long run?

Let’s look at some figures

Data published in 2013 by The Ministry of Justice found that between 1993 and 2012, there was a 98% increase in the prison population in England and Wales which saw the numbers of inmates going from 41,800 prisoners in 1993, to over 86,000 in 2012.

However, if we look at data published by the Office for National Statistics in 2016, we see a downwards trend in crime since the mid 90s – for example, they report that in the year ending 2015 there was an estimated 6.4 million incidents compared to the 6.9 million incidents of the previous year – this represents a 7% decrease in crime.

So, what does this mean?

Statistically crime is decreasing, but the use of prisons and custodial sentencing is dramatically increasing. This suggests that offenders are being given prison sentences, regardless of whether they are short or long, instead of the use of different approaches to dealing with the offender’s crimes.

One would think that an increased use in prison sentencing would provide potential offenders with more of a reason not to offend at the risk of receiving lengthy sentences. But what happens to these people when they come out of prison? Does prison really work or do we need to make more of a conscious effort to rehabilitate offenders so that they can become legitimate and contributing members of society?

Rates of re-offending after release from prison

The costs of imprisonment is high to the government and to the taxpayer especially when we consider the rates of re-offending. Statistics published in 2017 by the Ministry of Justice show that between 2014 and 2015, 25% of adult and juvenile offenders re-offended within a year of release from prison. This statistical bulletin also states that this rate has remained reasonably unchanged since 2004, only fluctuating between 25% and 27%. The fact that these rates of re-offending are within only one year is what makes it a cause for concern. Should this be an indication for the need of a greater use of rehabilitative methods for those with less serious offences?

Rehabilitative approaches instead of prison sentences can offer offenders the chance to gain valuable skills which in turn gives them more to offer potential employers and can encourage them to contribute to society with legitimate means. Norway’s prison system for example makes great use of these approaches which could be the main reason why their punishment system is so successful, with one of the lowest incarceration rates in the world.

Rehabilitative approaches could be a better approach to dealing with criminal behaviour that is lesser in severity. It may be something that policy makers should consider instead of sticking to the tough on crime approach that is promised by politicians to win votes despite statistical evidence proving that it may not be the best way forward.

A look at Norway’s prison system – http://uk.businessinsider.com/why-norways-prison-system-is-so-successful-2014-12