Prisoners should have the right to counseling. If we do not treat people with compassion, then we have failed as a human race. Should we only have compassion for those who do not need it? That would be pretty pointless. Many prisoners could benefit from counseling to get to the route of their problems that caused them to be criminals. Besides not all prisoners are monsters (child molesters or serial killers). What about the prisoner that committed the crime of drug possession or theft in order to feed their family. They are not monsters. Counseling can help the addict with their addiction or the thief to learn to find better solutions to crime. In addition, prison can be a very difficult experience which can add to the need of counseling.

If you want to look at the issue from a selfish point of view, then you should definitely desire prisoners to get counseling. Do you want the prisoner to be released without counseling? Or do you want the prisoner to be released after counseling and hopefully a healthier individual? I would rather a healthy individual.

A healthy society must exhibit compassion. Criminals are being punished for their crimes in prison, but that does not mean that they should be treated in an inhumane manner. Counseling is appropriate.

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