Within a democratic society, rehabilitation is the core purpose which drives every prison sentence and judicial ruling. Regardless of the offense committed, an individual confined to a prison term is required to receive assistance and help in reforming their behavioral trends, as well as serving a debt towards the society they have harmed. This may be professional help to assist in resolving psychological issues, or more standard assistance provided by educational and social programs of learning.
However, there are are cases which seem to stand as exceptions to this rule, where the perpetrators have been detained with little hope for parole. In these instances, prisoners have often been serving life sentences and become completely institutionalized and accustomed to a specific regime, and yet hold little hope with regards to their release and subsequent freedom. A pertinent question that this raises is whether the justice system has simply failed to reform these individuals, or whether they have done enough in an attempt to rehabilitate their behavior?
High Profile Cases of Long Term Incarceration
While all types of crime are diverse in their nature and cause, some are complicated further by their execution and respective victims. As an example, in September of 2010, Mark Chapman was denied parole for a 6th time during his sentence for the murder of John Lennon in New York in 1980. It was undoubtedly a premeditated murder that reverberated around the world, and one which generated a huge amount of public reaction and scorn directed towards the perpetrator.
However, Chapman has now served 30 years in institution, and his latest parole application was denied on the basis of his release being both inappropriate and not in the interests of the welfare of society. From transcripts of his hearings, two significant points can be deduced. Firstly, it is clear that the authorities believe that due to the planned nature of the crime and length of sentence served, Mark Chapman would prove to be a danger to society and unable to adapt to it. Secondary to this, it is clear that his own safety is a concern given the levels of emotion still affiliated with the crime and its victim.
However, this is contradictory to the purpose of prison incarceration, especially as it is becoming increasingly clear that Chapman will never be released. If we consider that he his unable to participate in outside rehabilitation programs due to the fear of reprisal, then he is restricted in his ability to sample external life and participate in programs of personal growth and improvement. This is a situation that will worsen with time and cause to become more immersed in prison life, meaning that he is in effect being forced to subsist in a life with no potential for future freedom or prosperity.
Protecting Society and the Values of Justice
In the instance of a tragic crime such as this, a strict and rigid interpretation is required to provide equality for everyone. If a perpetrator is considered to still be dangerous to society after 30 years incarceration, and his restrictions mean that the judicial system is unable to deliver the appropriate rehabilitation programs required, then it is realistic to assume that he has no potential for future release. Keeping a perpetrator in this perpetual cycle of incarceration is not only questionable, but also at odds with the primary principles of US justice.
Some would argue that a murderer should serve a life term in prison considering their actions, but this is a huge misjudgement of human nature. There remain two significant classifications of criminal. The first of these concerns criminals who commit their offences due to illness, compulsion or need, many of whom are either unaware that their acts were immoral or simply immune to conscience. The second refers to criminals who act under the influence of passion or rage, and this type of perpetrator is far more likely to regret their offences over a period of time.
While the first type of criminal is more likely to commit crimes that are both high profile and abhorrent in their nature, the notion of them remaining behind bards to consider their crimes pays no heed to the lack of awareness or conscience concerning their acts. On the other hand, a crime committed in the heat of the moment or out of passion will encourage empathy from society, but its perpetrator is likely to encounter both remorse and extended period of reflection. Considering this within the boundaries of a fair diplomatic judicial system, It would therefore seem reasonable that a criminal who is considered without awareness of their crime or a realistic potential for reform should face capital punishment rather than indefinite prison terms and persistent false hope of release.
Reforming Law to Protect Democratic Values
While this may seem harsh, it is compatible with the principles of civilized judicial values. Prison terms are implemented to rehabilitate an offender, in order that they can become contributing members of society upon release. If an offender is considered beyond redemption for whatever reason, then an indefinite prison term becomes an exercise in futility for tax payers and penal institutions alike. To reform this situation, a government regime has two options. It can either improve its current systems to do everything within its scope to reform offenders, or determine an alternative course of action where perpetrators are considered to be unsuitable to specific rehabilitation programs. Only then can the dignity of the US judicial be upheld while maintaining its citizens safety.
Solutions Shop
Hello webmaster. I like your blog about Does Law Provide Equality for Everyone? | ExcitingAds !.
But i have a question not related to subject: Do you use a seperate posting program or do you make your blogs in the wordpress admin? If you post your answer below mine,then i will read this in the next couple of day’s.
Thanks Opstalverzekering
We post in WordPress admin.
This blog is awesome full of usefull information that i was in dire need of.
Thank you for grading our work as awesome.
I enjoyed your article.Wonderful subject.
Thank you for enjoying our work.
Ok ive made my decision, im subscribing, this is awesome, keep it comin.
Thank you for subscribing to our RSS feed.
Cool website, I submitted this on my facebook earlier today =)I tagged you to my website, hope you dont care..† Thanks again
Thank you for spreading the word.
Thank you for provide ideal great knowledges. Ones internet is awfully coolI am inspired using the advice that consumers have on in this homepage. this shows how excellent end users know this title. bookmarking this web, went visit back as way more. consumers, my acquaintance, ROCK! I found only The answer I already searched all over as well as only couldn’t experience. What a get it over blog. like this this website Ones New website is I as to my brand new favs.I likes stuff like this information given and also it has now given me A few kind on inspiration To succeed for Some purpose, awfully Cheers
Glad to be an inspiration to you.
Really frequently I go to this web site. It really a lot is pleasant to me. Thank you the author!… By the way, We have many years in Designer Handbags On Sale, Gucci Purses, LV Handbag, Chanel Purse, Louis Vuitton speedy Handbags, Louis Vuitton leopard Totes, Burberry Handbags, Prada Bags, Dior Handbags, Discount MBT shoes, MIU MIU.
You too have a very good website.
test
You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something that I think I would never understand. It seems too complex and extremely broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
Thank you for your deep interest in our posts.
Right on Brother, great layout, nice opinions, fantastic blog. one in a million. 🙂
Thank you for appreciating our to-the -point content.
First and foremost I love your blog, if you want to know what I Do, I connect unsigned artists, bands and songwriters with major record labels free My job recommendations to target on getting you your first or next placement.
Thank you for loving our blog.