The Aims of Punishment Reformation Crime & Punishment The Aims of Punishment Reformation

The Theory of Reformation Reformation seeks to take the criminal and show them where they went wrong in life and try to give them a fresh start as a good citizen. It can also give victims and their families a sense that something has changed and this will not happen again. It can help resolve problems which society has missed or ignored such as mental health problems or over aggressive behaviour which can both be addressed in prison. Society has more good citizens and each reformed prisoner is an example to others of what is possible.

Benefits of Reformation It stops re-offending if done properly. It can help to prevent others making the same mistakes. It can take away the resentment and the need for revenge. Protects society on a longer term basis when effective.

Drawbacks of Reformation How likely is it that someone will completely change? When a person goes back into the situation that they are used to they might fall back into their old ways. Is it a waste of money, why don’t we use the money positively within society? Some believe this stops prison being a deterrent and stops it being a method of retribution.

Moral Implications of Reform The main points have to be: Does it work? Is it cost efficient? People are different. What reforms one person will perhaps not work for others. Individual programmes like this would be expensive. If the public don’t believe that the person has really changed then your efforts are a waste of time and resources. The public has to be open to the idea of change and reform for it to work.

Moral Implications of Reform The punishment aspect must not be lost, it cannot simply become a reform school. Society has to decide if it would rather spend money on reform which may or may not stop offending or use those resources elsewhere. Not just a reform issue, more confidence in the justice system in general would help greatly.

Christian views of Reform Christians believe in reform because it fits in with their idea of redemption. We can all change for the better given the right circumstances and should be given the chance to make up for the wrongs we have committed as long as we honestly seek forgiveness. Reformed criminals are a great example to others that they can change and be accepted. Christians believe everyone is capable of change no matter how bad a crime they have committed.

Secular View of Reform Humanists would support reform and see it as a vital part of a fair justice system. They believe that proper education and an example of fairness can lead people to lead a better life. Utilitarians would suggest that helping people to reform makes it less likely they will reoffend and therefore should make our communities safer. Forgiveness is not automatic, there must also be punishment to show that the majority in society will not tolerate criminal behaviour. Society must be protected and until the criminal has fully reformed then prison is a good means of protecting the public.

Scottish Reformation Fines can encourage you to improve so you don’t get another one. Community Service can help you see things from the victim’s point of view and lead you to better understanding of why your actions were wrong and why you have to change. Prison can help give a person a chance to change the direction of their lives for the better.

Scottish Reform Jimmy Boyle is an example of a dangerous, violent criminal who was reformed over many years in prison. When released he set up youth organisations to help people stay away from the same kind of crimes he himself committed. In prison he found a creative side he did not realise he had, he tries to help others to overcome their anger in similar ways and express it through peaceful methods.

Scottish Reform Adult Basic Education in prisons can also help to educate prisoners so they have a better chance of holding down a job in normal life. It can also help prisoners to overcome addictions which may be causing their reoffending. As in the example of Jimmy Boyle, it can show prisoners that there is more to the world than they have experienced and help them to develop ways to manage their violent or anti-social behaviour