5 Different Rehabilitation Programs and Their Impacts

Many people, including criminologists and politicians, have debated the impacts of rehabilitation in the criminal justice system. Inmate rehabilitation is a controversial topic that is often avoided because some people believe offenders are locked behind bars for a reason and don’t deserve any reformation or opportunities to learn to make better choices. In contrast, others believe that after serving their time, offenders deserve a fresh start. But before diving deeper into the different rehabilitation programs and their impacts, we need to understand what it means in the criminal justice system. 

Rehabilitation definition in law is using rehabilitative measures instead of punishment to address criminals. At the same time, rehabilitation in criminal justice involves helping offenders understand what they have done wrong and preparing them to return to society as reformed people. To effectively do this, the rehabilitation programs must target the problems that made the inmate turn to crime in the first place. Rehabilitation simply provides support that can reform criminals. 

The whole idea of rehabilitation is to train and help an offender to be able to return to society and function as a law-abiding citizen. 

When an offender is released from jail or prison after completing their time, they are often faced with two options: to fall back into crime or steer clear of crime and create a fresh start. Rehabilitation helps inmates grow and change, allowing them to separate themselves from the environmental factors that initially made them commit a crime. The idea is to treat each of the significant contributing factors so as to help inmates be able to live a crime-free life after they are out of prison. Living in jail for a long time makes it difficult for inmates to function in the outside world. This makes it difficult for some of them to adjust to the outside world, which may make them commit more crimes so that they can return to prison, where they know how to survive. 

Rehabilitation programs are generally made available to offenders in either state or county jail, as well as those supervised in the community by state parole agents or county probation officers. Different rehabilitation programs are available in the criminal justice system. Statistics have shown that psychological, educational, and occupational programs are the most effective in reducing recidivism and improving inmates’ outcomes. Rehabilitation programs made available to inmates depend on facility, offense, and sentence time. Here are five of the most rewarding types of rehabilitation in the criminal justice system and their effects.

• Education Rehabilitation Programs

Education rehabilitation program has been proven several times to give inmates a second chance. Statistics also show that inmates that participate in educational programs are 43% less likely to return to prison in three years than those who don’t. Inmates who leave prison more educated than they entered benefit not just themselves but also their families and society. 

For instance, inmates who have not had computer or internet access in many years will be at a disadvantage when returning to the workforce. But, with computer training programs from the educational program, they are more advantaged. Education programs in prison are empowering inmates and positioning them for a better life. 

• Psychological Rehabilitation Programs

The psychological rehabilitation programs aim to provide inmates with counseling and mental health services. Criminal justice and mental health professionals offer guidance to inmates throughout their stay. The goal is to provide rehabilitation to prisoners that will help them gain insight into their motivations and goals. 

Inmates who suffer from depression, stress, anxiety disorder, or abuse of substances can also get counseling. Counselors may offer vocational, academic, social, or personal guidance to prepare the inmates for release. Counseling is often provided individually or in a group. Criminal rehabilitation facts have shown that providing inmates with mental health resources helps reduce recidivism. Psychological rehabilitation programs are not limited to mental health counseling alone but also help the inmates’ self-development and boost relationships between families. 

Gang renouncement and faith-based programs also help reduce recidivism. These programs help inmates to steer clear of crime by giving them a religious or communal foundation to help keep them on their feet once they are out of jail. 

• Occupational Rehabilitation Programs

Inmates who participate in prison job programs are more likely to get jobs when released. It is common knowledge that most former inmates face challenges getting and keeping employment. If inmates do not have marketable skills when they re-enter society, they will most likely return to their old ways. To break the cycle, inmates need to be productive members of society through gainful employment. In this way, they can support themselves financially. 

While in prison, many inmates are provided the opportunity to participate in work programs. These programs train them on punctuality, accountability, responsibilities, and other skills they need to work in society. These programs allow prisoners to work in fields that apply to life after prison, including self-employment. 

For an individual re-entering society, working hard and getting paid comes with self-esteem and self-fulfillment that may significantly reduce crime. 

• Community Rehabilitation Programs

Rehabilitation continues for inmates even after they are out of the system. Re-entering society and joining the community is an excellent rehabilitation process. Community rehabilitation helps ex-offenders adjust to life outside the prison successfully and prevents them from returning to crime and prison. 

The community rehabilitation program provides ex-prisoners with a support system and holds them accountable in the form of community obligations. Whether through religious institutions, volunteering, social groups, or any other state, feeling a sense of belonging is invaluable. This newly built support system depends on the ex-prisoner, leading to more positive interactions and reducing exposure to criminal activities. 

Lastly, with relationships built in these community groups, they can also get job opportunities essential for reentry into society and terminating recidivism.

• Wellness Rehabilitation Programs

Depending on why an inmate is serving time, they may be able to participate in programs like yoga, tai chi, or meditation. These activities have been proven to provide long-term benefits, including stress and anger management and a lot more. Physical and mental wellness can bring clarity to many inmates. 

It may be challenging to stay positive while behind bars, but some wellness programs offered in some facilities can bring positivity into inmates’ life. Culinary classes, dog training, gardening, and others provide opportunities for inmates to practice fulfilling skills that can make a huge difference. 

The main goal of rehabilitation is to reduce reoffending. A reduction in reoffending means fewer victims of crime and less social cost to the community. Successful rehabilitation leads to safer communities. Transforming inmates into law-abiding citizens does help not only the inmates but also society in different ways. The inmate’s life will be improved, and society and facilities will see significant success.