Introduction
Rehabilitation is a far more effective approach for juvenile offenders than incarceration
for several reasons. Firstly, it allows for the addressing of criminal behavior while
simultaneously providing support for the reintegration of young individuals into society.
Additionally, rehabilitation programs offer crucial mental health assistance, which is often a
contributing factor to criminal behavior. Moreover, by focusing on rehabilitation, the likelihood
of reoffending is significantly reduced, thus leading to a more positive and productive future for
these young individuals.
Rehabilitation
"Before delving into the myriad benefits of rehabilitation, it’s essential to gain a
comprehensive understanding of what these terms signify within the context of justice systems.
Rehabilitation is dedicated to aiding individuals in their transformation and reintegration into
society, fostering a positive change in their lives. On the other hand, punishment is centered
around seeking retribution or serving as a deterrent" (Rehabilitation vs. Punishment:
Understanding the Benefits, 2022). Rehabilitation is an integral component of restorative
justice, offering an alternative approach to punitive measures for crimes. These rehabilitation
programs encompass a diverse array of tailored interventions, ensuring that individuals receive
personalized support that aligns with the specific nature of their offenses. This personalized
approach allows for a more effective and impactful rehabilitation process, ultimately
facilitating the individual's successful reintegration into society with a fresh outlook, hoping to
reduce recidivism.
There are plenty of good things to say about rehabilitation, especially for our juvenile
offenders, but there are still many flaws we run into when it comes to rehabilitation. I'd say in
today's world, almost if not all struggle financially, and most of these rehabs are not paid for by
the state; they are non-profit-ran. With the rate of inflation, there are not as many as we wish to
see open. Many of them do get large donations from various groups around the world, but
again, with the rate of inflation, it's very hard for these places to stay open. Another problem
within the justice system is that "Black youth were arrested 2.3 times as often as white youth
nationwide in 2020" (Bishop, 2024). So, you have to imagine if discrimination is going on
within the criminal justice system, it happens within rehabilitation as well. So, "Despite its
original purpose, the juvenile justice system faces many challenges and limitations in
rehabilitating young offenders" (John Rogers, 2023) because of the challenges in today's world,
it is hard for everyone to get the help they need.
Incarceration
Incarceration refers to the official confinement of individuals following their legal
conviction and sentencing to a period of imprisonment. When young offenders, known as
juveniles, are subjected to this form of punitive action, it can have profound and lasting effects
on their physical and mental well-being. “It significantly hinders their access to education and
career opportunities and tragically exposes them to potential abuse and trauma” (Mendel,
2023). Recent scientific research has demonstrated that the human brain continues its
development until the age of 25, making adolescents especially susceptible to the adverse
consequences of incarceration. Placing these vulnerable young individuals in detention centers,
where they may be further subjected to violence and exploitation, and where educational
resources are often inadequate, can hinder their personal growth and significantly increase the
likelihood of post-release struggles, potentially leading to a recurrence of criminal behavior.
Furthermore, following their release from confinement, individuals are frequently placed on
probation or under supervised release. Regrettably, due to staffing shortages, the support and
assistance necessary for effective reintegration into society may be insufficiently available.
Some people believe that sending these kids to jail will help them in the long run to stop doing
these bad things, but that is incorrect. "Using propensity score matching, analyses found that
pretrial detention was associated with a 33% increase in felony recidivism and an 11% increase
in misdemeanor recidivism within one year" (Walker, S. C., & Herting, J. R. 2020).
Biblical perspective
The Bible encourages us to live a sin-free life and emphasizes the importance of
forgiveness, redemption, and personal transformation. When dealing with young offenders, the
focus should be on providing opportunities for rehabilitation and enabling positive changes in
their lives. Restorative justice, which aims to address the harm caused by criminal behavior and
promote the well-being of both the victim and the offender, aligns with these biblical principles.
The ultimate goal of restorative justice is to offer guidance and encouragement to juvenile
offenders, helping them to understand the impact of their actions and supporting their journey
towards becoming responsible and contributing members of society. “Faith-based programs in
correctional settings have led to positive outcomes, including reductions in violence, recidivism,
and disciplinary infractions, as well as improvements in literacy and prison adjustment”(Clear
and Sumpter, 2002). It's important to fight for the implementation of these programs for these
kids, as they have shown to work. As a young person myself, I am still learning the ways of the
Lord and struggling to live in today's world. I can only imagine what these young adolescents are
going through – being looked down on, not getting an education or proper health care, and
having to be around all that abuse and trauma. I believe that by implementing more of these
programs in correctional centers and showing kids the benefits of serving the Lord, we could
help them turn their lives around. When you are passionate about something, you are less likely
to engage in negative behaviors.
Conclusion
In conclusion, rehabilitation is a better approach than incarceration for juvenile offenders
for several reasons. Firstly, rehabilitation focuses on addressing the underlying issues that
contribute to delinquent behavior in young people, such as family problems, substance abuse, or
lack of positive role models. By providing access to counseling, education, vocational training,
and other support services, rehabilitation aims to help juveniles overcome these challenges and
develop the necessary skills to lead productive and law-abiding lives. Secondly, rehabilitation is
more effective in promoting positive behavioral change in juveniles. Instead of being placed in a
punitive and potentially damaging environment, young offenders can benefit from rehabilitative
programs that are tailored to their specific needs and circumstances. These programs can address
their individual challenges and provide them with the support and guidance they require to make
better choices in the future. Moreover, rehabilitation aligns with the principles of juvenile justice
that emphasize the importance of rehabilitation, reintegration, and the well-being of young
people. It recognizes that juveniles are still developing and can be positively influenced to make
better choices, given the right support and opportunities for personal growth. Additionally,
rehabilitation contributes to safer communities by reducing the likelihood of juvenile offenders
reoffending. By addressing the root causes of delinquent behavior and providing juveniles with
the necessary tools to lead law-abiding lives, rehabilitation programs can help break the cycle of
criminal behavior and ultimately create a positive impact on society as a whole.
References
Bishop, B. (2024, April 18). Protect and Redirect: How to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Disparities
in Juvenile Diversion. Retrieved from The Sentencing Project website:
https://www.sentencingproject.org/policy-brief/protect-and-redirect-how-to-reduce-
racial-and-ethnic-disparities-in-juvenile-diversion/
Clear, Todd, & Sumter, M. (2002). Prisoners, Prison, and Religion: Religion and Adjustment to
Prison | Office of Justice Programs. Retrieved July 15, 2024, from www.ojp.gov website:
https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/prisoners-prison-and-religion-religion-
and-adjustment-prison
Juvenile Offenders and the Ability for Rehabilitation: Understanding the Issues and Challenges.
(2023, June 4). Retrieved from Law Offices of John D. Rogers website:
https://johndrogerslaw.com/juvenile-offenders-and-the-ability-for-rehabilitation-understanding-
the-issues-and-challenges/
Mendel, R. (2023a, March 1). Why Youth Incarceration Fails: An Updated Review of the
Evidence. Retrieved from The Sentencing Project website:
https://www.sentencingproject.org/reports/why-youth-incarceration-fails-an-updated-
review-of-the-evidence/
Rehabilitation vs. Punishment: Understanding the Benefits. (2023, December 7). Retrieved from
lsarecovery.org website: https://lsarecovery.org/why-is-rehabilitation-better-than-
punishment/
Walker, S. C., & Herting, J. R. (2020). The impact of pretrial juvenile detention on 12-month
recidivism: A matched comparison study. Crime & Delinquency, 66(13-14), 1865–1887.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0011128720926115
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