olomus asked this question on 3/22/2000:
I understand why the legal system feels it necessary to place people in jail for certain "crimes". However, I also believe there should be programs available to help rehabilitate them, educate them, and prepare them for "changing their ways".
My husband is currently service a jail sentance for a DWI. There are no AA meetings, no alcohol/drug counseling (1-on-1 or group), no church services, no education classes for drug and/or alcohol abuse, at this jail. He merely has to play a waiting game until his sentance is over and will be no more the wiser for "paying his dues to society" upon his release.
Why doesn't the justice system "see" that this method isn't rehabilitating (educating or helping) these people who (and most of them in jail are) in for alcohol/drug abuse situations? Is there anything in the works to change this?
Paul157 gave this response on 3/24/2000:
I am unaware of court systems that do not offer assistance to those that seek it. I do know of court systems that don't "give it away". I have seen sentences that don't mandate any counseling. I have seen sentences that mandate counseling due to previous alcohol related convictions.
In one of the previously posted answers at the very end the writer states that your husband will only get something from counseling when and if he truely wants it. Just one more reason that a judge may not impose counseling in his/her sentence. Why spend thousands of dollars on an individual who is not willing to see his/her problem and do something about it.
I see both sides. I believe some individuals slip through the system and get NOTHING out of our justice system. On the other hand I know many judges that are in their profession to help people at all reasonable costs.
Paul157 gave this follow-up answer on 3/24/2000:
Some of the blame goes to the system and some of the blame has to rest with the individual.
If a community has not set up local support groups, counseling etc. some of the blame has to belong to the community.
The average rating for this answer is 4.
olomus rated this answer a 4.