Should prisoners have the right to counseling? That's a good question.

The first time offender of a misdemeanor perhaps needs counseling, it could help. There can be an emotional element that through help can be touched' with counseling resulting in the inmate being able to be returned to society.

A bigger question that looms over all of this is "what about repeat offenders, what about the habitual or career prisoner"? Also one must take into consideration the crime committed, kidnapping, armed robber, torture, sexual assault on a minor, rape, murder.

Another thought to ponder, what good will counseling do to offender that thinks they are smarter then the law, or the one that spends some time incarcerated and feels they have learned from their mistake, and now they think they have learned how not to get caught' again.

It is food for thought whether the "Iceman", Ted Bundy, just to name a few would take to counseling. Or would they just agree with the counselor just too able to gain freedom again? As a society, there has to a knowledge that some people are just born as "bad seeds".

With that being said what of the repeat offender that finds if easier to rob, or assault his/her victim and thus receive a lighter sentence, virtually "three hots and a cot". Which to some people, is considered easier then the responsibility of obtaining regular employment.

There is another bigger question concerning the counseling concept. What about the victim?
These people have had their rights violated; their emotional states ripped apart and trampled one.

What counseling can replace the feeling of your personal space being intruded upon, your body or your child's being violated, your possessions being taking, a loved one's life being taken prematurely? Then to live with the knowledge that this person is getting medical care, counseling, food, shelter plus an education while incarcerated. Combine those emotions with the knowledge that this person maybe eligible for parole or even worse slip through the system to be allowed to commit the same criminal acts that put them in prison in the first place.

In many other countries the crime suits the punishment; steal a loaf of bread, your hand is removed in public, commit a hideous crime such as murder, hanging or beheading in public is the retribution.

Perhaps that is the reason why our jails and prisons are so over crowed, with appeal after appeal, counseling session after counseling session, there is no real accountability for actions. If counseling, a misdemeanor does not work the first time, why should one believe it will work the second time? Crying out that "I was abused, "I don't know any better" is just an excuse. For some reason that cry from seems to tug at heart strings.

I pose this to those that stand on the soap box for "counseling because they are human", what about those humans whose lives have been altered, or their survivors, how much of sympathy, or rather support do they need and deserve?

Learn more about this author, Paulette Redemske.
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