What is prison even for?

Not long ago, I observed that “no one knows what prison is for anymore.” I included this comment in a mostly sardonic and observational post, one that did not address the prison “purpose” issue in ANY detail. Yet I received some feedback on that particular comment, so I’m going to take the time to expound on the thought.

When I say no one knows what prison is for, I am over looking the obvious. Of course the immediate goal of incarceration is to get criminals off the street and in a place where they can no longer do harm to the law abiding public. Beyond that, however, I fear that the powers that be have become mired in a punishment for us, rehabilitation debate, and lost a sense of objective. It seems that the strategy presented to the public is to provide criminals an environment where they will certainly be deprived of their basic freedoms, yet be offered opportunities for character and vocational growth; hopefully leading to a successful reintegration into society without further incident.

The sad reality is much different. From the inside, it is not difficult to see that overcrowding and under staffing has led to a situation in which inmates are merely being warehoused, and through lack of supervision and structure the criminal element is allowed to thrive. The majority of productivity must be done on an individual basis, and most of the individuals in prison lack the decision-making and goal-setting ability to attain that productivity—it is why they are imprisoned in the first place. Further more, in certain “cultures,” having done a prison “bit” is a symbol of status, of making one’s bones, earning his proverbial stripes. Instead of re-entering society with a need for humility, they are more respected for having done their time than they were before. The ultimate negative reinforcement.

I am not suggesting that prison should be a daycare environment with a smorgasbord of opportunity and privilege for the incarcerated. I cannot envision a scenario that will reinforce the need for moral and ethical based behavior in even a majority of these men. Yes, we need to be punished for our crimes. Of course the basic methodology is that we should endure a modicum of suffering to offset the suffering we have caused others. But at what cost? The cost of precious tax dollars with little result?

The recidivism rate is astronomically high. More than 50% of men who serve a prison sentence will be incarcerated again within a year of their release. If this is not empirical evidence of the prison system failing to perform its purpose, then none can be found. This applies whether you take the rehab approach or not. For if prisons are solely meant for punishment, then the punishment should still be severe enough to serve as a deterrent to future unlawful behavior. We would most likely desire a healthy amalgam of the Punishment/Rehab models, but it has to WORK.

I think it is reasonable to say that citizens have an expectation that men being released from prison are somehow better for the experience. I am telling you that in a large percentage of cases, this is not so. Perhaps at another time we will discuss the utter lack of social support for those that do exit exhibiting improvement, but it is a separate (although related) issue.

I doubt there is a perfect solution to this problem. Perhaps the problem lies not entirely within the prison system at all, and crosses over into the JUSTICE system itself. (All Libertarians, Anarchists, Socialists, and the like, feel free to chime in here about victimless crimes, big brother, personal freedom...). All I am suggesting here is that we formulate a strategy, and let all parties involved in on the plan. It seems the only current observable strategy is “If you build it, they will come,” and it is working all too well.