offenders have to pass a parole review that shows that they are ready to face the outside world, have completed the many programs offered to them, and have behaved while incarcerated. Before being released, the inmate must go through a work release program, making them productive, employable members of society.In choosing sides, I am inclined to go with "The National Criminal Justice Commission" and say that imprisonment is not beneficial. Of course, violent offenders such as murderers, rapists, and armed robbers must be incarcerated, but the balance of non-violent criminals does not treat every criminal the same. More minorities and poor whites end up behind bars than those who can afford a high priced lawyer. Moreover, only the strong survive in prison while the weak or new prisoners are subject to rape, robbery and beatings. Thus, inmates must resort to survival tactics just to get by from day to day. This makes a non-violent offender worse than before he or she arrived at prison. Prisoners who have committed the same exact crimes do not always get the same time serve. Prisoners get humiliated besides being punished. When these prisoners are released, they must rebuild their self-esteem and families. Plus, if imprisonment was meant to be a deterrent against crime, why are there so many other criminals ready to take over for the criminal who is incarcerated....
