Introductory paragraph


Can we be victims of the punitive justice system? That is what we should think before condemning people who may be innocent. Any of us could be in that situation and then we would think that the punitive justice system is being unfair. The U.S had a history of using preventive programs prior to the 1970s. But over the last three decades, their approach has become almost entirely punitive: they have the second-highest rate of incarceration in the world, trailing only Russia, and are the only Western democracy with the death penalty. Nonetheless, they still have one of the highest rates of criminal activity and violence in the world. Nearly all criminologists consider their punitive approach a disaster. There is no evidence that it has had any long-term impact on reducing crime, and incarceration makes career criminals of many of the nonviolent offenders whom we throw together with violent ones. Educational programs inside prisons aimed at rehabilitating prisoners should be considered as an alternative to the current punitive justice system for three main reasons. Educational programs promote social values as civilized behavior, responsible conducts, and solidarity, also increase the prisoners’ self-esteem. Education provides prisoners with life skills necessary for reintegration into society. Reduce considerably recidivism.