Essay on The Celtic Appreciation of Nature - 1486 Words

The Celtic Appreciation of Nature In doing this assignment, I was looking forward to becoming more appreciative of nature, and all that it has to offer us, wanting a better understanding of it all. It seems that we take all of the beauty of our earth for granted, we are spoiled and it shows. In completing this practicum, I hoped to return to a state of mind where everything I see has beauty in it, like a baby seeing things for the first time, when everything is so fascinating, that touching it in complete awe is all I want to do. The Celtic appreciation of nature is what influenced the path I took with this day of reflection. The way they loved it as though it was their child, the way they respected it as though it was their mother, and†¦show more content†¦It was a Sunday, I finally had off, so I decided to take the 1.5 hour drive to my hometown of Poughkeepsie, NY for an afternoon/evening of pure relaxation and contemplation. I went to a place we use to go to when I was in high school that overlooks the Hudson River with an unbelievable view of the Mid-Hudson Bridge, it seems so close that all I would have to have done was take a step and I was on it. This place is called Kaal Rock, and also has a ground level to it that I spent the first half of the day on. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;I planned on beginning on the lower level, because that seemed so similar to how life is, grounded. Then as the day progressed, I was going to take myself both physically and (hopefully) spiritually up to the top. A way of rising up to a new level, removing myself from everything that plagues me, and possibly being closer to â€Å"heaven,† whatever that may be. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Well, in actuality, I went to Kaal Rock as planned, at around 4:00 pm. I brought a blanket, some water, and some of my â€Å"inspirational† music, and a notebook. I spent the first 2.5 hours on the ground, watching the water come to the shore, then just as quickly creep back, like it was frightened by what it came upon. I thought long and hard about a lot, and looked at everything IShow MoreRelatedPracticum...Spiritual Retreat Reaction1513 Words   |  7 Pagesbecoming more appreciative of nature, and all that it has to offer us, wanting a better understanding of it all. It seems that we take all of the beauty of our earth for granted, we are spoiled and it shows. In completing this practicum, I hoped to return to a state of mind where everything I see has beauty in it, like a baby seeing things for the first time, when everything is so fascinating, that touching it in complete awe is all I want to do. The Celtic appreciation of nature is what influenced theRead MoreArt Nouveau By Edward Burne Jones From The Pre- Raphaelites And The Japanese Style1889 Words   |  8 Pagesmovement, William Morris, Edward Burne-Jones from the Pre- Raphaelites and the Japanese style. It became popular across Europe and the in United States. Art Nouveau as a style is a beautiful mixture of elaborate Celtic looking patterns, classical elements, flat color and delicate women in nature. This style breaks the traditional forms from the previous time periods but at the same time, carries it through. These designers in this time, presented this work as organic forms with rich imagery. Such asRead MoreBoil Boil Toil and Trouble Essay2135 Words   |  9 Pagesearth peaceful and harmonious: â€Å"Wicca is a deep appreciation and awe in watching the sunrise or sunset, the forest in the light of a glowing moon, a meadow enchanted by the first light of day† (Herne 1). Everything a Wiccan does mainly c onsists of helping the environment: â€Å"We also revere the spirits of the elements of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water which combine to manifest all creation† (Herne 2). By using the four elements, Wiccans have a clear view of nature and who they are as a person. The author RavenRead MoreThe Hegemonic Construction Of Ireland2740 Words   |  11 PagesMigration has fundamentally changed the nature of Irish society. Ireland has recently become a country of immigration; nonetheless the changes have been rapid and have changed the country significantly both north and south of the boarder. It is one of a number of peripheral European countries which has transformed from having a lengthy history of emigration, to becoming a recipient of substantial inward migration. In Ireland today, migration â€Å"Is one of the topics under discussion† (Gilmartin WhiteRead MoreEssay about William Shakespeares Relevance Today2257 Words   |  10 Pagesaudience. 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Unlike Neo_classicism, which stood for the order, reason, tradition, society, intellect and formal diction, Romanticism allowed people to get away from the constrained rational views of life and concentrate on an emotional and sentimental side of humanity. In this movement the emphasis wasRead MoreThe Man Behind the Lines Essay1930 Words   |  8 PagesWoman† who was curvaceous, promising, and an utmost mystery. Each poster’s woman was its own Mona Lisa with their uplifting yet erotic nature, divine with a halo encompassing their face, and faced with a gaze that cannot be expressed in any other way than transect. Mucha also adorned every figure with a complex background inspired by elements from the Byzantine, Celtic, Japanese, Rococo, Gothic, Judaic, and Czech cultures and folk tales. (Mucha S, 13) He would incorporate these themes in his jewelryRead MoreRock ‘N’ Roll Music Has Widely Influenced Music And Society1882 Words   |  8 Pages Those pioneers helped change the musical norms and the overall history of music. White rock ‘n’ rollers helped build a ladder for black artists to come into the scene. It was certain that rock ‘n’ roll made it possible for greater acceptance, appreciation and a wider audience for black culture. Going back to how rock and roll started and its origins you can make sense how black culture contributed to rock and roll music. The rock ‘n’ roll pioneers of the mid-fifties fused elements of both blues

Lord Of The Flies By William Golding Essay - 1475 Words

Outline Introduction Short intro for Lord of the Flies Short intro on Gangs The bullying and group mentality demonstrated in gangs has resemblances to the characters in Lord of the Flies. II. Bullying/Group mentality Gangs Drugs/Loyalty B. Lord of the flies Jack kills the pig/Jack and Ralph fight III. Effects B. Lord of the flies Jack killing the pig aftermath Violence IV. Conclusion Gangs are considered a group of people that have a common link together. Gangs are typically ethnically, racially, economically or geographically based. In William Golding s Lord of the Flies, gangs rise up within the group of boys. William Golding gives us a glimpse of the savagery that underlies even the most civilized human beings. The bullying and group mentality demonstrated in gangs has resemblances to the characters in Lord of the Flies. Lord of the Flies demonstrates the difference between civilization and savagery. This novel follows a group of British schoolboys stranded on an island after a plane crash, which killed the pilot, as well as passengers. The boys are left without an adult figure to guide them. The main characters consist of Jack, Ralph and Piggy and in the beginning, Ralph is the boy that takes control. However, Jack soon strays from the group and convinces most of the young boys to follow him and encourages barbaric acts. In Lord of the Flies, Jack creates a â€Å"gang† of the young boys. To solidify their place in Jack’sShow MoreRelatedLord Of The Flies By William Golding869 Words   |  4 PagesLord of the Flies Psychology Sometimes people wear fake personas like a cloak over their shoulders, used to hide what is really underneath. This harsh reality is witnessed in William Golding’s classic Lord of the Flies, a novel that is famous for not only its sickening plot, but also for the emotional breakdowns all of its characters experience. These issues are akin to those shown in certain real-world psychological experiments. A summary of Golding’s Lord of the Flies, combined with the evidenceRead MoreThe Lord Of The Flies By William Golding1347 Words   |  6 Pages The theme of The Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, is the reason society is flawed is because people are flawed. Although Piggy is knowledgeable, he has many flaws including his laziness and physical inabilities. Ralph is an authority seeker. He sets rules and laws, yet does little to enforce them. Ralph wants to be the ruler, without doing the work to enforce his laws. Jack is persistent. He is rude, harsh and violent in or der to get what he wants. He wants to be supreme. Piggy’s flaws areRead MoreLord Of The Flies By William Golding1123 Words   |  5 PagesIn the novel Lord of The Flies by William Golding, the characters Ralph, Piggy, and Jack represent important World War II leaders Franklin Roosevelt, Adolf Hitler, and Winston Churchill. Golding, who had served in World War II, was well aware of the savagery created, and used it to base his book on. Ralph represents Franklin Roosevelt , Jack represents Adolf Hitler, and Piggy represents Winston Churchill. Ralph being of the novel’s main protagonist is important in the outcome of the story becauseRead MoreThe Lord Of The Flies By William Golding1065 Words   |  5 PagesThe Lord of the Flies Essay The Lord of the Flies written by William Golding and published on September 17, 1954 is a story told about a group of stranded boys and their fight for survival against the wilderness and themselves. In this story many signs of symbolism are used by Golding to point out certain aspects of society that Golding thought strongly of. This story on first read may just seem to be a survival- esque piece of literature but, on a deeper look one can find Golding’s true motiveRead MoreLord of The Flies by William Golding619 Words   |  2 PagesGovernments are no different; they fight for power just like the rest of us do. They just do it on a much bigger scale. Qualities from Oligarchy, Totalitarianism, Democracy, Dictatorship, and Anarchy governments are used in several parts of Lord of The Flies that represent different characters and different situations. An Oligarchy is a small group of people having control of a country or organization. A Totalitarianism government is a form of government that permits no individual freedom and thatRead MoreThe Lord of the Flies by William Golding1306 Words   |  5 PagesIn The Lord of the Flies, William Golding creates a microcosm that appears to be a utopia after he discharged from the British Royal Navy following World War II. After an emergency landing, Golding places a diverse group of boys on the island that soon turns out to be anything but utopia. The island the boys are on turns out to be an allegorical dystopia with inadequate conditions (Bryfonski 22). The boys reject all lessons they learned from their prior British society, and they turn towards theirRead MoreLord of the Flies by William Golding932 Words   |  4 Pagesdiscussing two particular themes from a novel called Lord of the Flies by William Golding. Lord of the Flies was written in 1954 after World War II. Ruler of the Flies is a purposeful anecdote about something that many readers can’t really describe. Individuals cant choose precisely what. Its either about the inalienable underhanded of man, or mental battle, or religion, or personal inclination, or the creators emotions on war; however William Golding was in the Navy throughout World War II, or perhapsRead MoreLord Of The Flies By William Golding1383 Words   |  6 PagesAccording to Lord of the Flies is still a Blueprint for Savagery by Eleanor Learmonth and Jenny Tabakoff, the words â€Å"I’m afraid. Of us† first appeared in Golding’s novel 60 years ago. Lord of the Flies by William Golding follows a group of schoolboys trapped on an island after a plane crash during a world war. At the beginning, they celebrate as the y have total autonomy as there are no adults around. They attempt to establish a civilization but when order collapses, they go on a journey from civilizationRead MoreLord of the Flies, by William Golding1055 Words   |  5 Pages In William Goldings Lord of the Flies a group of English school boys crash land onto an uninhabited island somewhere in the Mid Atlantic ocean. Ralph, the protagonist and also the elected leader, tries to maintain peace and avoid any calamity on the island. However, Jack is neither willing to contribute nor listen because he is jealous of Ralph and has a sickening obsession with killing boars. Ralph has some good traits that help him maintain peace and balance for a period of time. He is charismaticRead MoreLord Of The Flies By William Golding962 Words   |  4 PagesBischof Language Arts 10 11 December, 2015 In William Golding s Lord of the Flies, Golding uses the theme of human nature to show how easily society can collapse, and how self-destructive human nature is. Throughout the story Golding conveys a theme of how obscured and horrible human nature can lead us to be. Many different parts of human nature can all lead to the destruction of society. A few of the concepts of basic human nature that Golding included in the book are destruction, and panic

Punishment vs Rehabilitation Free Essays

The expectations that our society has for the criminal justice system is to punish and rehabilitate individuals who commit crime. Punishment and rehabilitation are also two of the four acknowledged objectives of the criminal justice system, with deterrence and incapacitation being the others. We will write a custom essay sample on Punishment vs Rehabilitation or any similar topic only for you Order Now In the United States, punishment has always been the primary goal to achieve when dealing with individuals who commit acts of crime. Many theorists throughout history have argued which is more effective, punishment or rehabilitation. Deterrence is one of the primary goals in the criminal justice system and it is described as special or specific deterrence and general deterrence. The purpose of special/specific deterrence is to instill fear in the offender so that they will not commit future crime. General deterrence is based on punishing offenders to instill fear in society, otherwise known as teaching society a lesson and showing the consequences of committing a crime. Punishment has always been imposed based on the idea that it will deter individuals from committing crime or repeating criminal acts. Incapacitation has been the most common form of punishment; however research demonstrates that recidivism amongst convicted felons following release from prison is as high and that most prison inmates had arrest records and convictions prior to their current offense. Punishment through incarceration is a temporary fix to crime while the offender is confined. The maximum sentence of life in prison and the death penalty has even been debated on whether they are actually deterrence to crime. There are so many underlying factors within the criminal justice system that may contribute to why punishment has not been as effective as anticipated such as the appeal process in death penalty cases and the length of time that an offender can sit on death row. Rehabilitation is the most valuable ideological justification for imprisonment, for it alone promotes the notion that offenders can be saved and not simply punished. Retributive theory, on the other hand, sees punishment as an end in itself. This has no place in any enlightened society. The rehabilitative ideal does not ignore society and the victim. In fact it is because retribution places such great value on the prisoner’s rights that it tries so hard to change the offender and prevent his reoffending. By seeking to reduce reoffending and to reduce crime, it seeks constructively to promote the safety of the public, and to protect individuals from the victimization of crime Others argue that rehabilitation is a more permanent fix in deterring crime. Rehabilitation through community supervision can have a more lasting effect on individuals and deter them from committing future crime if they learn how to adapt in society by gaining academic or trade skills. These programs can help offenders find employment and secure an important role in the community and give them a sense of being. Therapy is another form of rehabilitation needed to help deter individuals from committing future crime. Some examples of therapy include drug therapy to those offenders addicted to drugs and psychological counseling to those offenders who grew up in an abusive household. Rehabilitation is based on creating a change in the criminal’s attitude or resources so that crime is neither a desired nor a necessary activity. When an individual is sentenced to probation, it gives them the opportunity to remain self-supporting within the community and not using the taxpayer or states money to house them in a correctional facility. Prisons should be places where confinement is not easy. Parole should be a period of intense supervision as well as rehabilitative programming, i. e. , educational and vocational training, and counseling. The more defined approach for each phase of the sentence increases the effectiveness of each and also increases the likelihood of successful post prison rehabilitative efforts. By separating punishment from rehabilitation, the effectiveness of rehabilitation is enhanced since punishment is contradictory to rehabilitative activities. In addition, a two-stage sentence system would include a more uniform sentencing structure and would reduce the issue of chance which is inherent in the present parole-granting process. With the expected functions of a prison limited to punishment and incapacitation, sentences for incarcerating felons can then be addressed within terms of deterrence values. Both punishment and rehabilitation are needed if the problem of crime is to be effectively addressed. However, it is not necessary that the prison provide both of these functions simultaneously. A more logical approach involves a two-stage sentence. The prison would provide the incarceration stage and punishment of criminals. After the punitive portion of the sentence, the offender would serve a post-prison sentence of intense supervision which would provide the offender with therapeutic and remedial programs. This separation of the punitive and rehabilitative obligations would allow each segment of a sentence to be more effective, would make shorter punitive sentences more palatable to the public, and, simultaneously, would maximize the use of available cell space and resources. . Victim Impact In many cases, victim rights tend to be overshadowed by the rights of the accused. The courts are obligated to give a defendant their Constitutional rights including the right to a speedy trial, the right to counsel, the right to confront witnesses, and due process under the law. Up until recently, victim’s rights were never recognized as an important role in the criminal justice system. In the past, ignored throughout trial proceedings and sometimes even forced to stay out of the courtroom as the proceedings went on. These issues have caused many victims to feel neglected and even re-victimized by the courts. On October 30th, 2004, The Crime Victims’ Rights Act was signed into law by President Bush to guarantee rights to victims of federal crime. These rights include, to be reasonably protected from the accused offender and to receive reasonable and timely notice of any public proceeding involving the crime or of any public proceeding (De Luca 1991). The majority of society, including victims of crime prefers swift punishment to rehabilitation through community supervision. Public opinion supports the increased use of prisons to give criminals just desserts. When a victim or the victims’ family feels that their offender does not receive the appropriate sentence, it causes emotional stress and also financial strain when restitution is not implemented. Community supervision can also benefit victims in certain ways. When an offender is sentenced to intense supervision through probation, they have the ability to pay restitution through employment. Offender Impact Punishment through incarceration has many effects on convicted criminals. Incarceration has many effects on the offender psychological well-being. When an offender is separated from their family, it causes severe depression. Supporters of rehabilitation versus punishment argue that sentencing offenders to incarceration hurt the family structure by contributing to single parenting. They also argue that punishment causes social disorientation, alienation, and also increases the risk of recidivism. When an offender is released from incarceration, they face social isolation, stigmatism, economic and employment challenges. Rehabilitation through community supervision eliminates many of these issues, such as the economic employment factor. Probation allows offenders to remain with their families, continue working or find employment under close supervision. Social Impact upon Society The social impact of punishment and rehabilitation varies from the increasing costs of correctional facilities to the disruption of families to the fear of criminals released into community. Society’s view plays a major role in the criminal justice system. Society’s belief’s in the â€Å"just desserts† theory has played a role in the courts. The push for mandatory sentencing has even entered political campaigns in response to the public. Getting tough on crime† was the basis behind different mandatory sentencing practices. The increase of correctional facilities is also related to society’s impact on punishment versus rehabilitation. Fiscal Impact The fiscal impact that punishment has on our country is phenomenal. It has been reported that it costs an average of $30,000 per year to house, feed, cloth e, and supervise a prisoner. This figure does not include the costs of construction and other factors. Many rehabilitation programs have been introduced to not only help deter crime, but also to reduce the rising cost of punishment. Privatization of corrections has been also looked at as an effort to reduce the costs of punishment. Many states have also instituted alternatives to incarceration such as â€Å"boot camps† or â€Å"shock camps†. These programs are proven to be less costly than incarceration. The cost of shock incarceration in New York State has been estimated to be $10,000 less per year per prisoner than the cost of traditional incarceration. The use of intensive parole programs has been estimated to save taxpayers an estimated ten to thirteen thousand dollars per year compared to the cost of incarceration (De Luca 1991). Conclusion Punishment and rehabilitation are a major part of the criminal justice system and will be effective in controlling crime if there is a way to incorporate the two factors to work together. Punishing and following up with rehabilitation through community supervision can be the source of helping deter crime. Punishment and community supervision should be based on the type of crime. If the appropriate sentence is issued upon an offender, it can help deter them from future criminal activity. How to cite Punishment vs Rehabilitation, Papers Punishment vs Rehabilitation Free Essays Punishment versus Rehabilitation Stephen Lafond AJS/502 July 22, 2012 Arnold Wicker, Sr. , C. P. We will write a custom essay sample on Punishment vs Rehabilitation or any similar topic only for you Order Now P. Punishment versus Rehabilitation Citizens living in a free society depend on a justice system and the rule of law to create a perception of security that allows for a dynamic and productive environment. Throughout history members of society that failed to comply with, or broke established laws of society have been penalized or punished. Methods of punishment became more sophisticated as the public embraced civilization. Time and the consistent influence of the political structure have complicated a system developed to ensure citizens security within conventional communities. Initial remedies preferred to combat law-breaking concentrated on punishment and retribution, or the justice of vengeance. Today a more educated and enlightened society contemplates the idea of rehabilitation. As the criminal element and the inmate population developed, it became evident that a strategy to identify and attack causation both inside correctional facilities and in the communities was necessary. The effects of the ideologies concerning punishment and rehabilitation, and the applied theories of these philosophies inside correctional facilities and within communities, and the subsequent effects on recidivism rates has become a solemn topic of discussion between politicians and communities. Legislators and citizens must contemplate the effects of these ideologies in regard to community safety and cost to the taxpayer. This research will discuss positive and negative effects of the punishment and rehabilitative philosophies in regard to the inmate population and the community, and subsequent effects on community safety, recidivism, and taxpayer cost. Punishment of those deemed law-breakers is the oldest practice of justice and is contended to remain the most effective. Social condemnation, isolation from the public, retribution, and incapacitation of law violators has been a principle of the justice system from its establishment. The fundamental theory of removing a law-breaker rom society and isolating groups of law-breakers in institutions that create environments conducive to suffering or existing held accountable for crimes committed has been the foremost strategy employed by countries around the world. The primary objective of the punishment theory is to restore the sense of security and justice to the victim and the community while establishing a technique of deterrence to prevent future offe nders. Diane Whiteley deliberates the consequentialist concepts that rationalize punishment based on communal advantage. The offender gets what he or she deserves, and the public is placated. She contends, however, that retributive theories are ineffective in addressing the association of the victim to the exercise of punishment theory. The concern identified is that the benefit to society may outweigh the needs of the victim (Whiteley, 1998). Gray Cavender discusses the collapse of the rehabilitative theory in the 1970s because of increasing crime and recidivism rates, and the adoption of a model based more on sanctioning guidelines grounded in the administration of justice. Operational features of the program consist of determinate sentencing, mandated sentencing for certain crimes, stricter parole, and probation guidelines, and commissions to manage programming. The program is focused on retribution, deterrence, and incapacitation. The ideology is driven by the concept of individual citizen accountability. Citizens are accountable to self and community and when obligations to either are not met punishment is justified (Cavender, 1984). The premise to punishment is retribution, or the proposition of payback. The offender commits a crime and attempts to pay back a debt to society or a victim. Modern correctional facilities employ behavior modification techniques based on the premise of punishment daily. Inmates are afforded copies of facility directives and specific unit guidelines and are instructed on the contents of both while in processing into facilities. Facility directives and unit guidelines are the laws that govern behavioral expectations within a correctional institution. Inmates are made aware that deviation from these directives and guidelines will result in punitive measures. Punitive measures may include loss of privileges, such as social visiting, commissary, phone, and recreation. Punitive measures may also include movement to a restrictive housing status, depending on the severity of the deviation. The application of behavior modification through punishment or punitive technique provides a more secure and humane environment for correctional staff members and offenders while maintaining a secure facility for the community. Rehabilitation theories suggest the ability to modify or change behavior through programming or therapy to the extent that offenders would be given the opportunity to rejoin society and lead productive law-abiding lives. Correctional facilities traditionally â€Å"warehouse† inmates categorized by the offense that precipitated incarceration. Murderers, rapist, child molesters, psychopaths, substance abusers, narcotics dealers, traffickers, and domestic violence offenders are all accounted for within the walls of correctional facilities. J. Tyler Carpenter, PH. D. , and Graham Spruiell, M. D. deliberate correctional therapeutics based on detailed treatment plans identified by therapist to treat specific mental illnesses attributed to the crimes committed. The authors contend that correctional practice of providing treatment for mental illness is both civilized and sound public policy. The theory suggests that through therapeutic measures including programs and counselor sessions provided in conjunction with corresponding community development programs offenders would be afforded a better opportunity to return to the community as productive members of society. The authors insist that this combination of mental health treatment inside the correctional facility combined with the follow-up approach within the community through parole and probation services would significantly lower recidivism rates (Carpenter, Spruiell, 2011). Michelle Phelps discerns that the intense escalation in the prison population in the United States (over one point six million incarcerated in federal and state prisons) can be directly correlated to policy changes that increased sentencing through determinate sentencing, habitual offender laws, and the abolition of discretionary parole. The increase in â€Å"panic legislation† for certain crimes and the upsurge in the more punitive maximum security level facilities are also mentioned as products of more punitive policies. The theory contends that the prison system provides a last resort for a society in desperate need of social services in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Phelps suggests that the correctional model in the 1950s was created with the theory that professionally trained staff members could treat criminal behaviors along the same lines as doctors treat illness, and that once treated, inmates ould be reintegrated back into society as productive citizens. The author proposes that the theory was discarded by the early 1970s because there was no data to support rehabilitative theory as a means to lower recidivism rates, and partisan pressure poised politicians to adopt a â€Å"tough on crime† mantra while pursuing election. Phelps advises that although the media today provides the public with a muc h more educated perspective of crime and causation, scholars believe contemporary increases in prison programming will continue (Phelps, 2011). The MacDougall Walker correctional facility (MWCI) in Suffield, Connecticut, is currently the largest facility (over 2100 inmates) operating on the east coast of the United States. The inmate population at the facility is processed through an assessment program upon entry that identifies specific individual rehabilitative needs and initiates a treatment program specifically designed for the individual inmate. Once the assessment process has been completed inmates are transferred to facilities throughout the state that offer specific program requirements. MWCI is designated a level four/five maximum security facility designed to house inmates convicted of felonies that carry maximum sentences. Programs at the facility consist of Parenting programs, Anger Management, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Narcotics Anonymous. Mental health care professionals initiate specialized programs on a regular basis to assist the inmate population with any developing issues. MWCI provides vocational training and High school equivalency or GED programs as well as some college level educational courses. Inmates at the facility are required to attend and participate in all scheduled programming as directed by facility and unit regulations and individual treatment plans. The correctional model in the State of Connecticut follows the rehabilitative model in both theory and practical application. The United States currently maintains the highest statistical percentage of incarceration in the civilized world, and manages over 2. 4 million inmates incarcerated in federal, state, and community correctional facilities. The national average cost of incarceration per inmate is estimated between $23,000 and $50,000. Researchers believe that while incarcerated felons cannot commit crimes in society, the legislation promoting tougher imprisonment and sentencing has had little effect on crime statistics. The U. S. Bureau of Justice research concluded that two-thirds of the inmate population would commit crimes and be incarcerated again after being released. Research conducted by Joan Petersilia and Quarterly Wilson suggest that rehabilitative programs that focus on individual offenders issues such as, education, drug treatment, and vocational training, functioning in conjunction with professional community programs would enable inmates to be reintegrated into society and lower recidivism rates. The study proposes that focus-based treatment would demonstrate quantifiable cost saving measures through successful reintegration. The authors advise that the cost of incarceration in the future can be significantly reduced through the introduction of individual rehabilitative programs in the present (Petersilia, Wilson, 2011). The State of Connecticut is currently responsible for an inmate population of over 22,000. The Department of corrections missions’ statement incorporates the responsibility of the department to maintain a safe and humane environment for the inmate population and staff while ensuring security to the community. The department initiates an offender assessment process upon initial entry into the system that provides professional medical and mental health staff to develop individual treatment programs. Parole and Adult Probation officers work in conjunction with the department and numerous community Halfway Houses to assist in offender reintegration into society. Victim participation and accountability is encouraged throughout incarceration in appropriate situations. Over the past two decades the Connecticut Department of Corrections has incorporated focused rehabilitative programming in an attempt to reduce recidivism rates within the state. Punishment and rehabilitation models in corrections have provided divisive opinions from the public and lawmakers based on opposing views concerning retribution and pay back versus behavior modification and treatment. Offenders should be held accountable, and made to suffer versus the system’s ability to identify and treat the issues that were the causation of the offender’s choice to become a law-breaker. Society desires a legislature that confronts and deters criminal activity, and at the same time believes in the ability to change or rehabilitate. Legislators create laws responsible for generating the largest incarcerated population in the civilized world, and discover economic concerns based on the cost of operating institutions. The political structure in the United States has been at opposing ideological sides for decades exposing the citizens of the country to questionable leadership and ambiguous future economic confidence. Conventional wisdom would advocate that the solution to the political controversy would involve the Democrats and the Republicans find some common ground and meet in the middle. The ability of opposing ideologies to focus on functioning together will prove pivotal in recovering public trust. Correspondingly, the contrasting ideologies concerning punishment and rehabilitation should focus on functioning in aggregation. Punitive measures will be consistently incorporated in behavioral modification programs implemented in correctional settings, and reintegration through supervised community release after treatment programming statistically has demonstrated reduced recidivism rates. Execution of these ideologies independently has revealed modest accomplishment in reducing crime and recidivism rates. Implementation of punishment and rehabilitative theories functioning together will be fundamental in decreasing crime and recidivism rates. References Carpenter, J. T. , Spruiell, G. (2011, Summer). The Psychology of Correctional Therapeutics and Offender Rehabilitation: Approaching a Balanced Model of Inmate Treatment.. Journal of Psychiatry Law, 39(2), 365-382. Cavender, G. (1984, May). Justice, Sanctioning, and the Justice Model. Criminology, 22(2), 203-213. Petersilia, J. , Wilson, Q. (2011, Winter). Behond the Prison Bubble. Increasing Prison Population, 35(1), p50-55. Phelps, M. S. (2011, March). Rehabilitation in the Punitive Era: The Gap Between Rhetoric and Reality in U. S. Prison Programs. Law Society Review, 45(1), p33-68. Whiteley, D. (1998, fall). The Victim and the Justification of Punishment. Criminal Justice Ethics, 17(2), p42, 13p. How to cite Punishment vs Rehabilitation, Essay examples