ENG 105 Why Rehabilitation Works and Imprisonment Does Not
The drug epidemic is something that has affected many families all over the world. Drug abuse puts a lot of stress on parents, brothers, sisters, and grandparents – anyone who is part of the home (“Alcohol”). Along with the drug epidemic comes the criminal activity to obtain the drugs. Our nation’s prison population has exploded beyond capacity and most inmates are in prison, in large part, because of substance abuse: 80% of offenders abuse drugs or alcohol; nearly 50% of jail and prison inmates are clinically addicted; approximately 60% of individuals are arrested for most types of crimes test positive for illegal drugs at arrest (“Alcohol”). Although the current system emphasizes putting addicts in jail, it would be more beneficial for them and society to enter into inpatient rehabilitation. The relationship between drugs and crime is very complex. At the most intense levels of drug use, drugs and crimes are directly and highly connected. Serious drug use can amplify and prolong preexisting criminal activity. There are essentially three types of crimes related to drugs: Use-Related crime: These are crimes that result from or involve individuals who ingest drugs, and who commit crimes as a result of the effect the drug has on their processes and behavior. Economic-Related crime: These are crimes where an individual commits a crime in order to fund a drug habit. These include theft and prostitution. System-Related crime: These are crimes that result from the structure of the drug system. They include production, manufacture, transportation, and sale of drugs, as well as violence related to the production or sale of drugs, such as a turf war (“Alcohol”). Many with drug use dependency are more likely to be arrested for crimes such as burglary, or theft; crimes often related to “feeding the habit.” Rehabilitation can benefit addicts where incarceration can be a detriment to them. Rehabilitating criminals has become a highly debated topic throughout the U.S., with a majority of criminals being repeat offenders; the correctional institution has made rehabilitation a top priority. However without proper funding and the lack of qualified facilitators rehabilitation is less significant. Rehabilitation has long term effects on offenders since it can prevent future crimes from happening. Rehabilitation changes the criminal behavior, and gets them back in to society by giving them an education. When offenders get involved with any type of rehabilitation program their view to commit crimes change and they will no longer desire to commit crime. With these obvious benefits of rehabilitation, not only do the offenders benefit, but society as a whole also benefits due to the reduced crime rates.
Drug abuse hurts the people who take drugs and the people around them. Family members may fight a lot because of the problems the drug abuse is causing. The drug user might do and say things that upset neighbors and friends, and make the family ashamed. Some people who are addicted do not believe that they are sick and out of control, so they do not look for treatment. They do not see the problems they are causing themselves and those around them. Other people who are addicted are aware of the problem, but may be so upset and confused that they do not know how to ask for or get help.
Getting the drug out of a person’s system is just the first stage of treatment. People with addictions also need to change how they do things so they can live healthy lives again without drugs. They also need to focus on becoming productive members of society again. Often they became so focused on getting and using drugs that they do not care about themselves. Once they get treatment it helps people stop using the drugs they are addicted to. Treatment helps them learn to fight the urges to use drugs again, and it helps them regain control of their lives. Treatment can help people and they do not have to hit “rock bottom” for treatment to work.
Some people want treatment so they can learn how to stop using drugs and start to regain their lives. Other people are so deep in their addiction that they do not want to be in treatment. Many drug users go into treatment because the police, their job, or family members make them do it. It might take a while for them to understand that they have a problem and want to stop using drugs. Treatment can work even when someone does not want it. When friends and family show that they care, it can help people stick with treatment even when it is very hard. Sending drug addicts to prison keeps them away from family, friends and loved ones which can help with their rehabilitation. The United States incarcerates more people per capita than most European countries and Canada, and many of those imprisoned within the U.S. will be released and rearrested within three years (Ward). The incarceration rate in the United States is approximately seven times the average for Western Europe, and is approached elsewhere only by a few tiny states and some former Soviet republics (Pearlstine). Statistics like these powerfully raise the question of whether the United States locks up too many people. This issue has become more noticeable as prison populations have exploded. In large part it’s due to the increasing number of drug convictions. Also the stiff mandatory sentences for crimes in general, including life or very long terms for a third felony conviction also known as “three strikes”.
Until the mid-1970’s, rehabilitation was a key part of the U.S. prison policy (Benson). Prisoners were encouraged to develop occupational skills and to work on resolving psychological problems such as substance abuse that might interfere with their reintegration into society. Many inmates received court sentences that mandated treatment for such problems. Since then rehabilitation has taken a backseat to a “get tough on crime” approach that sees punishment as prison’s main function. That approach has created an explosive growth in the prison population, while having at most a modest effect on crime rates. The United States has more than 2 million people in prisons or jails--the equivalent of one in every 142 U.S. residents—and another four to five million people on probation or parole (Benson). In the late 1980s, legislatures began enacting laws to impose long prison terms on violent and repeat offenders, and courts were compelled to follow sentencing guidelines that removed much of the discretion traditionally granted to judges (Dees). Many judges determined their sentences based on a chart with offense on one axis and previous conviction on another. A first-offense rapist might get probation, where a shoplifter of cigarettes with three previous convictions gets 20 years (Dees). We are now in a time where we are reconsidering those harsh mandatory sentences. One part is because the severe sentences may have been unjust. The other part is because they are costing us too much money. With the overcrowding of prisons at its worst being rehabilitated through a prison program in very unlikely. Entering criminals with drug related crimes into a court imposed treatment program can help with the overcrowding and recidivism rate of repeat offenders. Treatment can be less expensive than a term of imprisonment. The Drug Treatment Alternative to Prison (DTAP) program in Brooklyn, New York, enables alcohol or drug addicted defendants to plead guilty to an offense, and then enter a residential, therapeutic community treatment system that can last up to 2 years as an alternative to a prison sentence (McVay 5). With inpatient drug treatment it can help significantly with results in reducing recidivism and drug use. Treatment can increase the likelihood of finding employment and save money over the cost of incarceration. Beyond saving money and being more effective, a variety of different research entities have shown that treatment may work better to reduce substance abuse (McVay 9). The ADAA also reports that the people in its treatment programs commit fewer crimes (McVay 9).
If any other institutions in America were as unsuccessful in achieving their ostensible purpose as our prisons are, we would shut them down tomorrow (Gilligan). Two-thirds of prisoners reoffend within three years of leaving prison, often with a more serious and violent offense. That is why it is extremely important how prisoners are treated while they are incarcerated. So the only rational purpose for a prison is to restrain those who are violent from inflicting harm on themselves or others, while we help them to change their behavior from that pattern to one that is nonviolent and even constructive, so that they can return to the community (Gilligan). Rehabilitating the prisoners before releasing them back into society can be more beneficial for everybody.
Rehabilitation allows you to deal with the issues openly in a group setting with constructive feedback. Incarceration gives no opportunity to face the issues in a manner that allows you to deal with them. Rehabilitation brings family together and helps them understand and support the offender through it. Incarceration worsens the extreme problem of overcrowding in prisons where rehabilitation will help reduce population. Overcrowding has taken away from rehabilitation programs within the prisons. The argument of rehabilitation versus incarceration will be one that continues on throughout time. The current system emphasizes putting addicts in jail; it would be more beneficial for them and for society to enter rehabilitation.

Works Cited
“Alcohol, Drugs and Crime.” National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency, 2010. Web. 28 Nov. 2015
Benson, Etienne. “Rehabilitation or Punishment?” American Psychological Association 2003. Web. 11 Nov. 2015
Dees, Tim. ”Criminal Justice: Is imprisonment for punishment or rehabilitation?” Quora 2012. Web. 11 Nov. 2015
Gilligan, James. “Punishment Fails. Rehabilitation Works.” The New York Times 2012. Web. 11 Nov. 2015
McVay, Doug, et. al. “Treatment or Incarceration?” Justice Policy Institute 2004: 1-23. Web. 11 Nov. 2015
Pearlstine, Mitch. “Crime, Punishment, and Rehabilitation” Center of the American Experiment 2011. Web. 11 Nov. 2015
Ward, Katie, et. al. “Incarceration Within American and Nordic Prisons: Comparison of National and International Policies.” Engage: The International Journal of Research and Practice on Student Engagement. Web. 11 Nov. 2015