The future of corrections systems and rehabilitation

Future of Corrections

According to Wilkinson (1997), "the prison populations are a mix of short-term offenders and "lifers." This diversity is reflected in a wide variety of program offerings." There needs to be focus on transitional programs which will help the inmate prepare to assimilate back into their community. While attending the program, the inmate can receive an education, some mental health counseling and basic life-skills. Transitional programs will also help the inmate integrate back into society much faster since they received the training in the prison system.

Pre-release planning and transitional service programs are available in many prisons, but the programs should be available in all prisons and the inmates should be required to attend these programs. The Nevada Department of Corrections (NDOC), for example, has programs to help inmates make an easy transition into society. Going Home Prepared (GHP) is a grant program which obtains identification and work documents for all inmates leaving prison so they can immediately return to work. According to the Correctional Programs Division for the state of Nevada, another program sponsored by the NDOC is Casa Grande, a re-entry transition center opening in December 2005 and "will house up to 400 non-violent offenders in a dorm-like setting, during their last four to six months of incarceration. This will enable them to live in the community, obtain employment and receive family counseling."

There are programs called "street readiness" which teaches life-skills such as time and money management, parole requirements and job seeking skills. For the inmates who are ordered to pay restitution, the inmates should have a program to help with the opportunity to work in the community during their last few months of incarceration and earn money to pay back their victims.