by Trisha Orlando

Created on: January 31, 2010   Last Updated: February 02, 2010

Maybe I am not seeing the full picture because I have only been studying the criminal justice system for just over 2 years now but I do not see how any of the sentencing goals can be truly reached when our prisons are run the way they are today. I especially take issue with the goal of retribution, punishment based on a criminal act.

In the beginning of a structured penal system, punishment by imprisonment meant a dark, dank cell shared by 2 inmates. A prisoner served his time by solitude, the justice system hoped this would make the offender think about what he/she did and realize the err of their ways and become a better person. My question is, at what point did government think this did not work or was it the realization of civil rights that labeled this method as inhumane?

Then there was the onslaught of the thought that we can make these criminals better by rehabilitation. It seems to me this train of thought took on a life of it's own and become more and more intricate. It seems to me that no one was looking at the statistics that have consistently shown that offenders are still apt to re-offend. The government and the powers-that-be just kept throwing more and more money into developing new programs. And the specialists in these fields found more and more employment available, which not only offered good government wages but significant benefit packages as well.

That being said, I ask you why a typical prison, such as the Stanley Prison near my home, offers inmates these options that I found by looking at the Stanley Correctional Institution's 2009 Annual report (SCI, 2009)

Full medical capability, dental, and optometry. (How many law-abiding taxpayers citizens get free healthcare including dental and optometry?)

SCI’s Education Department’s Tutor Program. Throughout the year, tutors worked with an average of 245 students per month. The assistance and mentorship resulted in 239 of these men achieving their academic goal. (is it fair for the government to pay for convicts education rather than a law abiding citizen who wants to further their education but can not afford it) I also know for a fact that upon graduation, these inmates are thrown a party that includes a menu fit for a king for themselves AND their family)

Full scratch bakery on third shift. Our bakery produces all of the bread, buns, dinner rolls, sweet rolls, muffins and desserts for SCI

LAUNDRY SERVICE inmate clothing, sheets, rags, towels, jackets and other miscellaneous items. Convicts

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