should people still be convicted of a crime that they committed 10, 20 years ago? if they are a upstanding member of their community now, but weren't in the past when they commited the crime, then surely there is no point in rehabilitating them as, well, there is nothing to be rehabilitated. it would meerly be punishment.
Originally posted by mmanuelbut is a major part of this nawadays nto rehabilitation?
Isn't the point of prosecuting someone to punish them for their past deeds. You know, a bit like sending people to Hell for commiting sins against God...
...The legal system sends people to jail for commiting sins against society...
Originally posted by geniusDepends on the crime. If it is something small scale like shoplifting or vandalism then yes rehabilitation is important, but these are crimes unlikely to be prosecuted after twenty years. The only crimes where investigations drag on that long are murders, corporate fraud etc - crimes that require jail-time as well as rehabilitation.
but is a major part of this nawadays nto rehabilitation?
Mark
It all depends who you've locked up.
There are so many different kinds of murderer:
1. The battered wife who slashes her husband to death whilst he's sleeping
2. The man who beats his wife each night and goes too far on one occasion
3. The soldier following orders
4. A schizofrenic who's went psychotic
5. etc.
Surely you're not saying they all deserve equal punishment?
I'm certain you'll find that some people would benifit from rehabilitation, some from matters such as assertiveness lessons.
Some people you don't want strolling around in society for their and our own good (but not neccesairly a punishment...they might not know what they are doing) and some people are just rotten eggs, who probaby do need a good punishing.
Take for instance example 2 and 4.
2 is probably only dangerous to his wife and could be the most charming man on the street besides that.
4 could be a real danger to society.
Which one is more deserving of punishing?
It's not as clear cut as you put it. and Punishment (revenge) is not always the answer to murder.