Rehabilitation is the process of re-educating criminal offenders and preparing them to re-enter society. The goal is to address the underlying root causes of crime in order to prevent recidivism once inmates are released from prison. It generally involves psychological approaches which target the cognitive distortions associated with specific kinds of crime committed by individual offenders, but it may also entail more general education like reading skills and career training.
Methods A successful rehabilitation of a prisoner is also helped if convicted persons:
are not placed in health-threateningly bad conditions, enjoy access to medical care and are protected from other forms of serious ill-treatment, are able to maintain ties to the outside world, learn new skills to assist them with working life on the outside, enjoy clear and detailed statutory regulations clarifying the safeguards applicable and governing the use and disposal of any record of data relating to criminal matters, in some cases are treated chemically, and receive longer prison sentences.
By region
Norway
Norway's prison system is based on the principle of normalization and away from retribution to focus on rehabilitation. Inmates have access to amenities they would have outside of prison, such as an exclusive mini fridge, flat-screen TV, private bathroom, and access to outdoor environment. This, along with a shared kitchen and living area "to create a sense of family" among inmates and the absence of traditional prison uniforms contributes to Norway's rehabilitative normalcy system. The prison's structure is composed of Units A, B and C, with Unit A housing those in need of psychiatric or medical attention, thus being the most prohibitive of the three. Halden fengsel, referred to as the "world's most humane maximum-security prison", embodies the country's goal of reintegration by aiding inmates in sorting out housing and employment before leaving the prison. Rehabilitative measures involve education, job training, workshops to acquire a trade, and therapy along with the humane treatment they receive from personnel who have to complete three years of training to become prison guards. The effectiveness of Norway's methods is evident as they hold one of the lowest rates of reimprisonment after 2 years at 18% as of 2018, while the recidivism rate of re-charging for an offense during 5 years is 49.6% for property theft, 46.8% for violence, and 31.7% for sexual offenses as of 2017. Norway's Correctional Service unofficial motto is "Better out than in" that is in view with their rehabilitative system as a justice to society by integrating inmates as functioning members of society upon release.
India
Vipassanā 10-day meditation courses were first taught in prisons in India in 1975. They have since been conducted in the US (1997–present), UK (1998), Spain (2003), Israel (2007) and Ireland (2015). Vipassana meditation aims to reduce negative mental states such as anger and aggression, and provide a path to inner peace.
Europe As established by the Council of Europe committee of ministers, "a crime policy aimed at crime prevention and the social reintegration of offenders should be pursued and developed". "The European Court of Human Rights, also, has stated in various judgments that, while punishment remains one of the aims of imprisonment, the emphasis in European penal policy is now on the rehabilitative aim of imprisonment, particularly towards the end of a long prison sentence. ... A prospect of release is necessary, because human dignity requires that there must be a chance for a prisoner to atone for his offence and move towards rehabilitation. A review system is also needed because, over the course of a very long sentence, the balance between the grounds of detention (punishment, deterrence, public protection and rehabilitation) can shift to the point that detention can no longer be justified."
Germany Per the German constitution, "Everyone has the right to life and to inviolability of his person. The freedom of the individual is inviolable. These rights may only be encroached upon pursuant to a law".
Italy Per the Italian constitution, "Punishment cannot consist in treatment contrary to human dignity and must aim at rehabilitating the condemned".
United Kingdom The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 of the UK Parliament enables some criminal convictions to be ignored after a rehabilitation period.
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