Contextualizing Conflict in Academic Discourse 1

Rivera 1
Andres Rivera
Mr. Powers
English 1302
10-2-2023
Contextualizing Conflict in Academic Discourse
A current debate going on within the correctional systems of our society is whether
communities should invest more taxpayer money into our rehabilitation systems for prison and
jail inmates. Many people believe that they shouldn’t have to pay for people who committed
crimes and have to care for them with the tax money they pay. On the contrary, there is the side
of people who believe that as a society we should help inmates have programs that could help
them have a more successful post-prison life and a helpful prison or jail experience. Although
these two types of sides exist it is all in their own opinion, but there is research to help support
each side.
In a peer-reviewed research article called " Inmate’s Right to Rehabilitation during
Incarceration” showcased how re-imprisonment rates continue to rise and his research concludes
that a factor of this rising statistic is due to inmates not having sufficient rehabilitation that aids
these offenders for their release. On the other hand, an article called “Inside of a Prison: How a
Culture of Punishment Prevents Rehabilitation” explains how rehabilitation is pointless because
of the narrative of a prison system which is explained as prison being a “punishment” (140) and
prisoners always being in a place that “exacerbates fear, anger, aggression, deception, and often
proclivities for depression and suicide” (PP140). So, in other words, the authors believe that
rehabilitation in prisons is pointless due to the circumstances of the setting they are in.
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While both articles present an argument when connected they both share statistics and data that
back up their analysis. For example, " Inmate’s Right to Rehabilitation during Incarceration”
presents data that supports their argument. One example " Inmate’s Right to Rehabilitation
during Incarceration” explains is how rehabilitation in prison has been linked to ex-offenders
adopting crime-free lives after prison (PP186). The author even explains how Cognitive
Behavior therapy, which is a rehabilitation program, helps inmates learn positive behaviors and
has been successful help to inmates’ transition. So, within the article, the author creates strong
evidence that helps support his thesis.
In the article, “Inside of a Prison: How a Culture of Punishment Prevents
Rehabilitation” , the authors create their evidence based on statistics, data, and a philosophical
theory. They start off with concrete evidence that they give their audience based on the re-entry
into prison of ex-offenders. The percentages given are in the higher numbers: 68% of re-entry
within 3 years, 79% within 6 years, and 83% within 9 years (140). Their philosophical theory is
that prisoners cannot have rehabilitation in a setting where it is based on punishment. The
authors bring up interviews with inmates and show how prisoners simply do not have a
successful interaction with therapists. This article makes some great points that help create a
good ground to stand and overall, is based more on their theory.
The problem with this current debate is that so much research is yet to be done.
Researchers still cannot have a conclusive stance without more research being done. Every
situation is different which makes this topic a hard debate. But if I were to take a stance, I would
suggest that rehabilitation in prisons does help. I believe in change, and much research backs up
that there is a correlation between rehabilitation programs aiding ex-offenders and post-prison
life. However, it is still subject to different ideas due to the need for research to be done. Overall
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although, “Inside of a Prison: How a Culture of Punishment Prevents Rehabilitation” and "
Inmate’s Right to Rehabilitation during Incarceration” propose two different opinions on the
subject " Inmate’s Right to Rehabilitation during Incarceration” shows how he absolutely is pro
rehabilitation as he believes it is an inmate right while; “Inside of a Prison: How a Culture of
Punishment Prevents Rehabilitation” believe that it isn’t and can be a waste of money in most
cases.
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Works Cited
Seigafo, Sheldon. "Inmate’s Right to Rehabilitation during Incarceration: A Critical
Analysis of the United States Correctional System." International Journal of Criminal Justice
Sciences, vol. 12, no. 2, 2017, pp. 183-195.
Tina Bloom and G. A. Bradshaw. “Inside of a Prison: How a Culture of Punishment Prevents
Rehabilitation.” Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, Vol. 28, No. 1, 2022, PP.
140-143.

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Rivera 1

Contextualizing Conflict in Academic Discourse

In a peer-reviewed research article called " Inmate’s Right to Rehabilitation during

Culture of Punishment Prevents Rehabilitation” explains how rehabilitation is pointless because

evidence that helps support his thesis.

In the article, “Inside of a Prison: How a Culture of Punishment Prevents

good ground to stand and overall, is based more on their theory.

rehabilitation as he believes it is an inmate right while; “Inside of a Prison: How a Culture of

Seigafo, Sheldon. "Inmate’s Right to Rehabilitation during Incarceration: A Critical

Sciences, vol. 12, no. 2, 2017, pp. 183-195.

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