Does Prison Work: A critical evaluation on whether prison does more harm than good
INTRODUCTION
Definition of a prison and outline its purpose
In outlining its purpose, you will briefly discuss what the various philosophies or purposes of prison are:
Retribution
Deterrence
Incapacitation
Rehabilitation.
Outline the criminal justice processes by which individuals end up incarcerated in England and Wales- From arrest to sentencing as well as briefly discuss sentencing policy in England and Wales with regards to who should receive a custodial sentence.
Briefly outline the competing sides to whether prison does more harm than good in the does prison work debate. That is, those who argue that it protects society from dangerous individuals, acts as a deterrent and upholds justice on the one side, and those who argue that it does not rehabilitate, makes people worse whilst they are inside and is harmful for those who the state is trying to reform and their families, on the other.
In conclusion, chapter four will sum-up the debate and argue that prison does/does not [You choose which one] work
EVALUATION OF THE ARGUMENTS
Assess both positions against the stated aims of prison
Retribution
Deterrence
Incapacitation
Rehabilitation
Discuss whether some of the arguments made in the two positions meet the stated aims of prison. For example, Retribution. However, with regards to Rehabilitation.
CONCLUSION
Sum up the arguments and draw your final conclusion that prison either does or does not work and does more good or harm.
