Theory and practice of correction essay

Theory and Practice of Correction1. Is it possible to create a positive environment for both prison staff and inmates? How? Is that a valid goal?            The primary purposes of placing offenders in correctional facilities is to provide them opportunities for reckoning and retribution as consequences to their criminal activities, to dissuade them from committing crimes in the future and debilitating them from committing crimes continually, and to provide avenues for rehabilitation in an effort to change their behavior and way of thinking for their reintegration into society. (Kifer, Hemmens, & Stohr, 2003) Under these pretexts, we may be able to justify the idea of possibilities in creating positive environments for prison staff and inmates. First of all, the primary goals of the development of correctional facilities are positive and constructive since inmates are placed in an environment that fosters rehabilitation.

I believe that the creation of a positive environment for both prison staff and inmates begins with the kind of culture that exists within the correctional facility, as well as the regard that the criminal justice system and society label to correctional facilities and inmates. The development of the kind of culture that allows prison staff to believe the significance of their role in developing the landscape of society and that correctional facilities offer a great opportunity for change and personal growth and development for inmates is vital in creating a kind of positive environment that denies judgment and scrutiny but encourages change and transformation. This goal may be achieved by integrating values to the mission, philosophies, goals and objectives, and policies of correctional facilities.            The most important thing to remember is that the prison staff should believe in the importance of their roles in fostering a just and diplomatic society in order for them to take pride in their work and become motivated to develop a desirable and progressive prison environment through operations and management.

On the other hand, inmates should be made conscious of the positive effects that might come out of being in prison instead of focusing on the unconstructive issues that might demoralize them. This will help them persevere to engage in activities inside prison which were developed for rehabilitation. Overall, becoming in touch with the positive and constructive goals, objectives, and mission, of going to prison and being the ones to run and manage correctional facilities will create a rippling effect that changes the downward attitudes of prison staff and inmates motivating them to exhibit positive and constructive thoughts and actions through the development of self-fulfilling prophecies. (Tauber, 1997)2.

What impact can the prison environment have on inmates? How can this environmental impact be managed?            The kind of prison environment is critical in determining whether the primary goals or objectives of correction shall be accomplished or not. In addition, it also identifies whether changes or transformations are leaning towards the negative or the positive. Apparently, the physical, social, political, and cultural environments within prison influences the way of thinking, behavior and actions of inmates. (Fairweather & McConville, 2000) I think that the effect of the prison environment to inmates is analogous to the effect of any kind of environment or situation to people living within them. We do not need to refer to scholarly journals or publications, books, and other types of references in order to understand the weight or impact of the environment to the behavior and way of thinking of individuals within it.

A positive prison environment which is constructive and encouraging will most likely impact internal change and transformation meeting the standards and goals for rehabilitation. On the other hand, a negative prison environment which passes judgment and condemns inmates will most likely discourage them to engage in rehabilitative activities leading their refusal to change. In order to manage the prison environment to foster positive changes and transformation, I believe we should go back to the issue of culture, including the ability of prison staff to handle undesirable prison behavior and situations. These objectives constitute the recommendations presented in previous discussions about culture and the important role of prison staff to help inmates understand why they are there and become supportive and encouraging towards each other. There should be, ideally, cooperation between the prison staff and the inmates if they want to create a positive, encouraging, and peaceful environment and accomplish the goals and objectives of prison management for the staff and for serving time in prison for the inmates.

ReferencesFairweather, L. & McConville, S. (2000).

Prison Architecture: Policy, Design, and          Experience. Oxford, UK: Architectural Press. Kifer, M., Hemmens, C., & Stohr, M.

K. (2003). The Goals of Corrections: Perspectives from    the Line.

Criminal Justice Review, Vol. 28, No. 1, pp. 47-69. Tauber, R.

T. (1997). Self-Fulfilling Prophecy. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group.