What is THE Purpose of Prison

What purpose prisons should serve is one of the most contoversial issues in the prison debate.The debate divides sharply over whether prisons should focus on keeping criminals out of society or should be used fro reforming them.

Some people,including John Irwin and Rick Mocklewr of the Prisoners Union,believe prisons must help prisoners reform through education and phychological counseling.These people argue that prisons cn and shold reform criminals.If prisons were used in this way,criminals leaving them would have enough job skills and peace of mind to find productive work in society.

Currently,prisons do run many jobs programs,as well as high school and college-level classes.But many people argue that these programs are poorly run and to limited to make a difference.

On the other side of the debate are people who believe criminals are not easily changed or reformed.These people point out that many of the criminals in prison today are repeat offenders_ they have been jailed and released many times.People who take this view,including Allan Brownfeld,a well-known newspaper writer,argue that the best service prisons can provide is to keep criminals off the street.

Money has already been spent on rehabilitation criminals in prison,these people believe,and it has not paid off.Prisons should be warehouses,keeping criminals away from society as long as possible,they conclude.

Acritical thinkler examining a viewpoint on this issue should be careful to look fro the author’s bias.An author may be strongly biased in favor of or against the ability of criminals to change their lives.