What Is Wrong with the Prison System?

Nathan Leopold, Social Science Program, Department of Health, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

Abstract

The prisons of today are a failure, for they are not effective instruments of rehabilitation of their inmates. To remedy this failure requires a complete revision of our penal philosophy and a firm adherence to rehabilitation as the only function to be served.

I. Retaliation

II. Deterrence

III. Removal from Society

IV. Rehabilitation

V. Work

VI. Education

VII. Psychiatric Services

VIII. Self-Government

IX. Summary