Criminology

Massachusetts and Connecticut States emphasize on the rehabilitation of the offenders in correctional systems. Texas State emphasizes more on punishment, while in Michigan, both punishment and rehabilitation outside the prison facilities is emphasized. The Federal Bureau of Prisons in the U.S. prefers both types of correction. According to Andenaes, the purpose of punishment is to send stimuli to the public which restricts them from the undesired actions. The criminal laws that are set become societal threats. He argues that punishment through incarceration is the best way to handle crime. However, his argument is met with a lot of controversy. However it is clear that rehabilitation is the most effective method of managing convicted offenders as compared to that of punishment.

Deterrence of crime
Specific deterrence is that which persuades the offender before the court to avoid committing further offences. On the other hand, general deterrence is concerned with persuading other society members who may be inclined to commit crimes.

Punishment is imposed with the notion that the offenders will be deterred from repeating criminal acts or committing crimes. Research from the Bureau of Justice Statistics in 1989 demonstrated that the recidivism rates among convicts following prison release are high. It shows that most of the prison inmates had records of conviction and arrest prior to the offenses they had committed. According to the Bureau, punishment through incarceration is just but a temporary solution to crime while the victim is confined. In the prison, cruelty of the prison warders hardens the convicts, and therefore increases the recidivism rates. The criminal justice system in the U.S. has also contributed to the ineffectiveness of incarceration in relation to deterrence. It has failed to provide the resources necessary for assisting the prisoners to forsake their criminal behaviors while in prison.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons has to realize that it is impossible to inflict punishment on offenders, and at the same time expect them to internalize social goals and values. Therefore, rehabilitation through community supervision would be a better way of dealing with the offenders. It is a permanent way of deterring crime, and has lasting effects on the offenders as they learn ways of adapting to the society through gaining trade and academic skills. The offenders therefore may end up even securing employment.

Impact upon victims and their families
In the punishment correctional system, the rights of the victim are often overshadowed by those of the accused. In most cases, the defendant is given the constitutional rights including the right to counsel, the right of speedy trial and that of confronting witnesses. However, the victims rights are often unrecognized in the criminal justice system. The families of the victims have been left out throughout the trial proceedings. In most cases, they are forced to stay far away from the courtroom during the court proceedings. Families of offenders who are subjected to punishment go through trauma. Additionally, they usually have a strong desire to connect with the victims, and express great empathy for them. The family also goes through financial strains when there is no implementation of restitution. Larrabee (2006) states that incarceration disrupts the family structure as it contributes to single parenting.

Restorative justice practices have to be explored so as to assist the victims and their families to cope with their trials, such as rehabilitation. Certain criminals benefit more from rehabilitation than from punishment. An example is the non-violent drug related criminals. Such victims require treatment more than punishment, thus rehabilitating them is the best way. In New York, there are drug courts which have been established. In these courts, the families of the victims actively participate in breaking the cycle of the substances used by the victim. The victims are placed under strict community and monitoring supervision. The courts also train the victims and provide many life skills services. The family is actively involved in that it attends the various group counseling sessions that are planned by the courts.

Impact upon the offender
Punishment through incarceration affects the psychological well being of the offender. Severe depression results from the separation of the offender from the family. Additionally, alienation, social disorientation, and increased recidivism rates result from incarceration. The offenders are faced with stigma, social isolation, employment and economic challenges.

In the community supervision rehabilitation system, the offenders have the ability to get employment, which enables them to pay restitution. They allow the offenders families to constantly check on them. There are other programs which benefit the offenders through community supervision.  In New York, a program known as the Victim Impact Panel aims at talking to convicts of drunk driving. The victims and the family members meet with the Victim Impact Panel employees. This program has a positive impact as it deters the individuals from committing such acts.

Social impact upon the society
There are several prisoners who re-enter the society everyday. Punishment causes negative impacts on the society because some of the prisoners released from prison are re- arrested and re convicted, which leads to their re confinement. When the prisoners are released, they instill a lot of fear in the society, as most of them are feared that they would recommit their crimes. This has made different societies to push for mandatory sentences through political campaigns, in an effort to get tough on crime. Families have been disrupted as a result of incarceration. This explains why there has been a great increase of correctional facilities in the U.S.

Rehabilitation through community supervision has a positive impact on the society. This is because in rehabilitation, the offenders are skilled in different fields. This gives them a chance to support themselves in the community. They do not have to use the state and taxpayers money as it happens in prison. The families do not go through trauma when their relatives are rehabilitated through correctional systems. They can occasionally talk to their family members, unlike in the incarceration.
 
Fiscal impact upon society
An average of US  thirty thousand is spent every year to feed, house, supervise and clothe the prisoners in the U.S. Besides, there are additional costs of building and construction the prison facilities. The prison warders and the other prison staff have to get their pay. The criminal justice system has led to overburdening of the state treasuries. This has resulted to spending more dollars on punishment through incarceration. Due to the high recidivism rates from prison convicts, the cost has also increased.

On the contrary, rehabilitation programs reduce the high cost of punishment. The taxpayers save a lot of money, which could have been used in incarceration. The money which could have been used to support the prisons is used in other sectors of the economy, therefore improving the economy of the country. There are lower recidivism rates when the community supervision is employed as a way of rehabilitation. Therefore, the correctional system does not incur further rehabilitation costs/

Conclusion
Punishment causes high recidivism rates, and it is not an effective way of dealing with offenders. The disadvantages of incarceration as a form of punishment outweigh those of rehabilitation through community supervision. Therefore, the criminal justice system of all countries should consider using the rehabilitation method.