The surprising reason our correctional system doesn't work | Brandon W. Mathews | TEDxMileHigh

[@Halli50]

He does not mention a very important factor governing the US "correctional" system: A huge part of it has been privatized and is run for profit! There are very influential forces in the US that thrive on sending as many people as possible to prison, and returning "customers" are more than welcome. Is it any wonder that rehabilitation in the US is, at best, an afterthought? This guy has an epic battle on his hands if he wants to change anything that reduces the profits of some wealthy people. I hope he gains a following and eventually succeeds.

[@LaureenStAmour]

It is the same in Canada, which are government-run, Jail makes money and provides jobs is it any wonder that even in Canada we have people dying in our jails. I think that we need to look more closely the Norway prison system which brags low recidivism rates,

[@uiripriest298]

privatization only accounts for 5%, and If they were gone I honestly dont believe it would be much different at all.

[@blhbsit1251]

Those prisons for Profit, like Taft, also LOBBY for MORE Money. They also have a contract, not paid by bed but must have a 98% fill rate or TAFT receives PENALTY fees for not meeting minimums.

[@Halli50]

A true "correctional" system is all about finding out why a criminal turned to crime in the first place and how to turn that "criminal" into a genuine and useful citizen, once the punishment set by the judicial system has run it's course. The Norwegians are experts at this, only 20% of released prisoners return to jail, compared to the 80% of your released prisoners that return - they are true, carefully conditioned returning customers. Unfortunately, the US has a LOOONG way to go... @@blhbsit1251, there is hope - the current SARS-Cov-2 pandemic is about to totally wreck the US economy and force ordinary US Americans to get up off their lazy arses and DO something like voting sensibly. The US has been led into a hopeless situation by your current useless Repugnicans and Corporate Democraps and the current situation is not sustainable. Continuing down this road will finish you off as a nation!

[@Halli50]

A true "correctional" system is all about finding out why a criminal turned to crime in the first place and how to turn that "criminal" into a genuine and useful citizen, once the punishment set by the judicial system has run it's course. The Norwegians are experts at this, only 20% of released prisoners return to jail, compared to the 80% of your released prisoners that return - they are true, carefully conditioned returning customers. Unfortunately, the US has a LOOONG way to go... @@blhbsit1251, there is hope - the current SARS-Cov-2 pandemic is about to totally wreck the US economy and force ordinary US Americans to get up off their lazy arses and DO something like voting sensibly. The US has been led into a hopeless situation by your current useless Repugnicans and Corporate Democraps and the current situation is not sustainable. Continuing down this road will finish you off as a nation!

[@ruthc382]

There is a very small proportion of inmates that are either sociopathic or psychopathic, and will always be a danger to others, and for whom rehabilitation is incredibly difficult. But the vast majority for 'criminals' we can and should be enabling them to become productive, valued members of society

[@annikalyssecooke1503]

God bless you Woman. So true.

[@d0gfight4]

It starts by enabling strong family ties and education. Once they fall into criminal life here in the US, it's too late. Criminals are glorified and taught to see themselves as heros overcoming oppression when they themselves took steps to end up incarcerated.

[@candyce354]

I couldn't agree more

[@latterdayapostle6953]

It would be nice, but any sort of rehab would need serious civilian(non-government) oversight. This government reads "rehabilitation" and sees "re-education".

[@ruthc382]

@@d0gfight4 many of those people are oppressed, either by systemic racism or capitalism. So that view is understandable really, if they can't imagine a good future without crime, that's a failure of society and government. For many in the past, civil disobedience WAS fighting against oppression. So unless these people have meaningful opportunities, they're not actually that wrong.

[@obeyamichael1947]

Education is an important factor in rehabilitation that wasn’t discussed. A lot of people in prison don’t have complete education, so in prison they should have have schools for inmates. This makes it easier for them to find a job after re-entering society, and helps give direction.

[@Miss_AriStarry]

They do have schools for inmates.

[@candyce354]

Yes there is high school/ GED courses and college

[@greciatorres4638]

It doesn’t make it that much easier for everyone. Many employers don’t want to hire people who have done crime no matter if they have been rehabilitated

[@snillum5004]

Fact our basic school systems are meant to prepare you for life and basic law isn't taught within our public school that is required to be abided by and followed speaks volumes considering cops require no law degree and no education in our law system also does. And the ones that know the law make money off people uneducated in law which is close to 90% of Americans who have never been to law school.

[@hiddenhandtv26]

Prison is to create a caste system

[@halalgal]

I have worked with prisoners for 11 years and have sensed a core 'division' with mental health staff and custody officers. Watching this has helped me recognize what a shift is truly needed to improve the correctional system...because honestly, it's a failing money pit.

[@oliverphippen1957]

It cant be fixed ????/

[@mattk3650]

Some interests likely want it to remain as such. The higher the incarceration rate, the more cheap prison labor that is available.

[@steamnamebbderinvade__]

@@oliverphippen1957 Screening out prison guards for Sadistic Personality Disorder specifically, and greatly Reducing lengths of stays in Solitary Confinement, along with a equal cool-off period, for a host of other punishments instead would help a lot.

[@VogtTD]

@@oliverphippen1957 This isn't about blame, you simpleton...

[@oliverphippen1957]

@@VogtTD ????? Please pay more attention ???

[@sloth77jafoofa81]

I know he wont see this cause its 3 years late and he's not constantly checking comments but Mr. Mathews this was the best Ted Talk I have ever watched. Just wanted to let you know.

[@googlefashists4986]

It is average.

[@SmilingAtheist]

I’ve been to jail many times. I’ve been to prison once , probably about 12 years ago or so. The court offered me to go to a rehab once I was put on probation because I used drugs. I completed the rehab , it was 6 months. It was get up , go to AA/NA meetings and that’s it pretty much it. I , personally never really did good with those two programs for my addiction. So I ended up using again and violated my probation. Once in prison , I spent the next two years while I was there pretty much on survival mode 24/7. I didn’t have any chance to ever go through a program or counselor to talk to why I was there and how can I work on myself and not coming back. It was survival , that’s it. I got out and very soon ended up using again. My family and friends would always ask “Didn’t you learn from being there for so long?” . I went to prison for theft of property over $1,000. I did learn something in prison. It was to never trust anyone, always be on guard , keep to myself , and isolate as much as possible. Luckily I haven’t been back to prison since. I’ve gotten older and wiser but certainly not perfect. I do things differently than I did when I was 20 years old. It’s a flawed system for sure.

[@HumanbeingonfloatingEarth]

Its good to read your perspective here.

[@that_girlbob]

This is now my ALL TIME favorite Ted Talk. WOW WOW WOW WOW. Bravo. I am also in the field, and I have never heard of this innovative solution. What a brilliant, founded, idea.

[@Fischyfish]

i love this guy, please make him richer. he really understands how the prison systems work and what will actually modify behavior. genius.

[@chordchaser]

I work for a prison industry that hires inmates inside the prison, ostensibly so I can teach them job skills. He is describing prison accurately; rehabilitation is an afterthought. Non-custody staff are sometimes as embedded with the idea of punishment as custody staff. You cannot teach someone to have empathy without empathy. US prisons need to change drastically, but it won't happen until we change how we think about crime, punishment, and rehabilitation.

[@Omenxiiii]

I’m incarcerated for domestic violence. No one was injured. I took my prescribed Xanax and drank alcohol with it and lost consciousness. I woke up in jail with 3 felonies. This girl has hurt me emotionally, manipulated me, cheated on me. Previous fights she has called the police and lied to get me thrown into jail for the day. My underlying emotion must have burst out of me when I blacked out. She 100% exaggerated to the police She got what she wanted and completely destroyed my life. I am now SUFFERING. My present life and future has been taken from me. There is no hope. I feel like most criminals have underlying mental health issues. For me anxiety, depression and relationship trauma. Instead of addressing the root cause it’s harsh punishment and destroying lives. In my state. The incarcerated pay for their stay. It’s the states biggest money maker second is state taxes. They want to incarcerate people. What I did was not felony level. This system is corrupt.

[@jayanthony3006]

Well privatizing prisons certainly is a big factor. When "locking people up" becomes a profit based endeavour, there is something very wrong!

[@googlefashists4986]

Stop talking nonsense. Only 115,000 are in private prisons.

[@byleethomas3190]

This is well needed because serious crimes are on the rise and we need to build these treatment centres so we can stop re offending

[@HamsterTMS]

Yeah, as a US citizen myself, it is true that a very high percentage of the prisoners that have left prison end up coming back to prison within three years after committing new crimes, the percentage gets even higher every year. Doctors, scientists, therapists, and psychiatrists in America believe that criminal Behavior can be treated in a different way because some of these prisoners are mentally ill and need to be treated the right way like a lot of other mental ill people and not correcting the mentally ill people with punishments, some of these prisoners are also people who probably had bad childhoods or haven't experienced what it's like being loved or doing nice things with one another, if these prisoners learn what it's like being loved or doing nice things, it can help turn their lives around in a good way. As of right now Rehabilitation is still extremely rare in the United States in fact it is so rare most Americans don't even know what Rehabilitation is, Rehabilitation has been forgotten since the 1980s when Rehabilitation was failing with criminals doing drugs or selling drugs.

[@evgeniya6586]

I think we all should try the Norwegian system of rehabilitation. I’ve read that In Russia (where I live) the recidivism rate is even higher, about 90%. And inmates face difficulties in reentering society. We So, the situation and community push them to commit a crime again. And no one really cares about their rehabilitation. In this way our society punishes not only prisoners, but also ourselves. Hope, the situation will change.

[@HumanbeingonfloatingEarth]

great perspective, that it is also a punishment to society to not rehabilitate ...I never thought of that.

[@kenpanderz672]

people who want criminals to just be punished, and nothing else, have antisocial issues.

[@ctbadcopctbadcop8078]

why?

[@LOSTGPS]

@@ctbadcopctbadcop8078 because it solves nothing, especially if they’re released…

[@captaincrappy]

Violent criminals have anti social issues.

[@mintakayogahealing5496]

What a great talk! Wish this idea could be implemented in SA. However, quality rehabilitation is not only an after thought it doesn't seem to excist in our country.

[@twindaddy05]

Way to go, Brandon. That was an awesome presentation that suggests a realistic way to modify our prison system for the benefit of all communities.

[@brycemuir6464]

Great TED. Something to consider when discussing the “most dangerous” inmates and subjecting them to your punishment track. Much is gain by treating and challenging the thinking of the “most dangerous” incarcerated people. Chiefly if they have release dates… in fact in the interest of public safety, more resources are warranted.

[@candyce354]

I was an inmate for 13 years I went in at the age of 19. I had never been in trouble before and had family ties. He spoke of an assessment that is completed when you first arrive this is true BUT the evaluation of course is slanted they go by your race, If you were in a gang and even if you have never been in a game but they associated you with a gang your points go up. The type of crime that you were were sentenced to gives you points The prison is by a point system so no matter even if you've never been in trouble before you'll go to a high ranking level prison if the crime was a serious crime.

[@gribble2979]

Race is not used in determining points. You can look up the matrices used and see how points are determined.

[@candyce354]

@@gribble2979 do you know because you work as a staff or you were an inmate?

[@googlefashists4986]

If you were in there for 13 years, you didnt steal a lollipop.

[@gta4everrr]

I don't believe there should be any 'punishment track' because the loss of freedom while incarcerated is punishment in and of itself. there's no need to double down with even more punishment

[@oliverphippen1957]

We Need to keep these NUTs off the street at all cost ????

[@LaureenStAmour]

I agree with you,

[@bradyminear967]

If someone murders a whole bunch of people or is a serious violent offender then I would prefer not to have them out on the streets so your options are death or incarceration. Even if they are rehabilitated they would be stigmatized and shunned from society not able to have a job or life and inevitably resorting back to crime because of poverty and isolation.

[@ems3832]

@@jeckie5355 Until somebody from YOUR family is senslessly murdered...

[@glenistergrotj3022]

Norway should be a role model, Norway has a system where they help convicts and rehabilitate them. Punishing people like we do doesn’t fix anything.

[@prodigalson6166]

Good video. My thoughts on the subject? As an ex-felon I approve of what some misperceive as the United State "running on slavery" in regards to the 13th Amendment. Combined with the 9th and 15th Amendment the 13th amendment makes the right to Rehabilitation obvious. This includes showing the disenfranchisement of ex felons being illegal under the Constitution. I am a firm believer in indeterminate sentencing, abandoning the degree system, except for capital offenses, and replacing prisons with penal communities that teach prisoners how to function honestly in society. I don't think anyone should be released who has not proven they have broken out of their criminal cycle. This will only come by teaching people to have moral integrity. As such, persons who refuse to comply with Rehabilitation while incarcerated should be placed in a traditional prison setting. This setting should be uniformly referred to as the "dump truck block." And used to encourage prisoners to stay out of dump truck status. Anyone who has ever done time can tell you that title speaks volumes.

[@LunchBox68]

Prison should be rehab for the mind & soul, not punishment to the body for the crime. It needs to be a enjoyable, safe, comforting placed. Most people who are commiting felony crimes mostly come from low income, poverty, & abusive homes. They need a place that can give them structure, stability, comfort, which can give them the experience of have more than they did which will make them more likely steer in a positive direction to be able to attain a better lifestyle, like they seen in jail.

[@idontgiveadangchannel4903]

Until you or your family member are the victim, You won’t be saying this……

[@LunchBox68]

@@idontgiveadangchannel4903 Nice to know you know me & my life😂😂😂

[@idontgiveadangchannel4903]

@@LunchBox68 I know right. I guess I know more about you than yourself. Long condescending comments from libtards like yourself don’t need to guess who you are…

[@khefu817]

Oh well, what a silly boy, you just misbehaved! Let me reward you so you don't do it again! xD

[@Olivia-W]

@@idontgiveadangchannel4903 1). You have no idea. 2). I'm actually capable of moving past my unproductive base animal instincts like a lust for revenge. 3). Oh look, actually treating people like people works to help them reform their lives. Who would have thought.

[@tonyrome068]

Most people are on the outside looking in> People that have done time and have reintegrated successfully should be the leaders in this discussion and its implementation. I did 20 years, I'm presently a Minister and a Business owner. The only thing I have seen that works effectively in those 20 years is faith Based programs.

[@WWeiler7375]

Right on!! We need personal improvement institutions not jails.. With the right work ethic and values such as taught in the military, our country could make crime & homelessness an all-time low.. God bless America!!

[@diegocdebaca6421]

Corrections = Punishment based. Juvenile Justice = Rehabilitation / Therapy based. If you want to see how this works... look at the JJS system in any given state and find out what the recidivism is for the juvenile offenders.

[@HelenEk7]

In Norway only 20% end up back in prison. So there is another way..

[@R-Road]

The US has one of the highest percentages of repeat offenders per prison population capita compared to other western, mostly European, countries. The other way is rehabiliation, something which is worked out very well in Norway and almost non-existent in the US....

[@saviodias7747]

Most fokes are white there and nordic

[@R-Road]

Savio Dias The repeat offender rate among convicted white people in the U.S. isn’t too different from minorities I believe... Yes, there definitely is a problem with Afro and Latino thugs who just won’t learn, but still.

[@saviodias7747]

@@R-Road believes are not facts

[@oliverphippen1957]

NORWAY has no negroes ??? Homogenous ???

[@bunsenn5064]

Unless they have life in prison, inmates shouldn’t have to be worried about dying in there. Getting stabbed, beaten, or choked to death are things that happen in U.S. prisons that shouldn’t.

[@pwincessgurlyy4748]

This really helped me a lot. I got a better understanding of our corrections system.

[@92up7]

Two things I think are key In this issue. One: I ask about this convicted person if your intention isn't to keep them forever then might we immediately address the fact we must release them at some point? How can you do this if they're going to hurt another? Don't say you watched this person or asked this person as we know the unchanged will imitate the rehabilitated because obviously they have not forgotten where they are or that your not keeping them forever. Second: If in a privet prison the profit comes ultimately from a chain of events that begin with a crime then are you not incentivising a cycle of recidivism and ultimately new crimes that might otherwise have been less in quantity or severity?

[@malchauncey223]

I see a lot of parallels between the state mental hospitals systems and the prison systems. There are very few individuals I see discharged that don’t come back. It’s also very hard to get discharged. Also how he mentioned just sending people to whatever prison and not considering their needs. I can’t speak for all state hospitals but the one I worked at was very poorly organized as far as where individuals live. They arrive at the facility and are sent to either a male or female ward and there’s no system for which ward they go to it’s just wherever there’s a bed. How is someone who is extremely cognitive suffering with extreme anxiety supposed to get better when in the room next to them lives an individual who plays in their own feces and screams 24-7? Also even though many individuals are civil commits and just need help learning how to cope with daily life, they’re treated like they’re there because they did something worthy of punishment.

[@JokoCi]

He is clearly avoiding the root of the problem. Profit, profit, profit.

[@Techinvestor567]

I am German: Profit is a good thing, capitalism has brought us quite fair. Prisons, however, should be part of the government as it is handled in most western countries.

[@ems3832]

The real root is criminals, criminals, criminals.

[@annikalyssecooke1503]

Amen🌸🌸🌸

[@bunsenn5064]

Hence the reason prisons shouldn’t be privately owned. Profit is fine, but prisons shouldn’t be something that makes profit.

[@broddr]

Considering how many private (corporate run) prisons there are in the US, one method to implement this ‘divorce’ would be to use the model currently being used for schools. Just as some public education funding goes to charter schools, we could reallocate some prison funding to go to rehabilitation centers. And allow some experimentation among different centers to discover the best mix of services for each community.

[@marianatrujillo9080]

Hey that man oversaw my parole hearing!!

[@veronicapalodichuk7324]

Change needs to happen in the prosecutor's office as well. The public defenders are under funded. People are held pretrial and cannot afford a defense or bail. These people are pressured in to plea deals. Crime labs work for the police and prosecutor's and dna is very fallible and subjective. We need to overhaul the entire injustice system.

[@googlefashists4986]

We have seen what giving people no bail release in NYC does. And it is not pretty.

[@rhcprule3]

I work as a CO in NC. It's a very corrupt system.

[@candyce354]

Seriously, people that this helps it's about money

[@samanthaspsychiccabin8354]

This cause needs so much more attention.

[@calumbrooknicolson]

If you want to move onto a Norwegian style penal system, newer prisons which would be like Norway's could/should be used for testing to see how it goes.

[@hku99]

Bravo ,too bad Justice system is just about revolving door. Punishment and more punishment

[@haraldschuster3067]

Many people who come into prison do so because they failed to handle the life outside properly. The prisons don't teach them how to do that and it's quite obvious that they will return sooner or later. Now, you could change that, of course, but if those people return to a society that sees them as outcasts, won't rent to you, won't hire you ... they're straight back to being nonfunctional in society. Medical treatment for addiction and psychological problem are, in the US, dependent on the money you have - they're not a right of a citizen as in Scandinavian or European countries. US society and a lot of its citizen's perception about right and wrong are firmly founded in the early bronze ages. Revenge and Punishment. Crime is not seen as the cause of problems the inmate has but as "having bad blood". If you want to have less criminals, you need to address the issues - and that does not only involve the prison system but also society and the social conditions within society. That's a major project for the US and their bronze age approach.

[@MachineManGabb]

anyone else watching this while the riots are happening in USA? June 2020

[@rodrigohernandez-rp9qq]

I came here because of that. it's hard for people to find a place in society after jail. I want to understand the current system and learn how it can and should be changed.

[@MachineManGabb]

@@rodrigohernandez-rp9qq forreal, i am watching this from Norway, i really wish you guys good luck

[@gregcapazorio8920]

He is 1million percent correct. The fundamental failure is punishment. Rehabilitation is possible! I have worked in this field for 27 years. I know we can fix this. But ONLY with the correct methodology and its not punishment based. How do I get to communicate with Brandon W Mathews? Please.

[@jspinks2388]

Often understaffed and underpaid....and facilities that are not modern anymore and need work. And the oldd federal idea will just get some time out of them. They don't care about Treatment and or do not want to sink the time or effort in to it. Florida is one of the few states that have more treatment facilities and believe in that route more.

[@grayscribe1342]

Which is the reason that in some countries the prison staff will get a two year long training, which is mandatory BTW, before they really start working. A lot of that training is about how and how not to treat the inmates. Essentially every member of the staff has training in rehabilitation. Add that the inmates, especially those with good track records are allowed to look (yes, they are allowed to leave the prison to do so for a day at a time) for a job and an apartment, our government providing for a basic standard of living if someone can't find a job, so they at least have a place to live once they get out. All that gives us a very low number of repeat offenders especially with first time offenders.

[@theday2918]

Us prison system is so corrupt

[@matthewjohnson1510]

There is a kind of dignity and fairness in definite, set sentences for a specific number of years. It also prevents people from being imprisoned indefinitely by counselors, psychologists, etc.

[@candicemancl6318]

What do you mean by a divorced 2-track system, one for punishment and rehabilitation? Are you saying that some inmates are able to be rehabbed but others aren't and should be on the punishment track? Or that the first step after a defendant gets sentenced is exclusively based on punishment and once that time is served they go to an exclusively based rehabilitation stage? Or that both punishment and rehabilitation should simultaneously be taking course instead of the 1-track system of punishment currently in place??

[@beegyoshi8401]

Most likely both at the same time

[@bunsenn5064]

Perhaps the criminals that are unable to be rehabilitated should simply be separated from society, while the ones who are able to be rehabilitated receive said rehabilitation.

[@marye6379]

Why is there always a line drawn at a Violent offender. Statistically, this is always an inaccurate prejudice. It's about the individual and their ability to transform themselves. The system can aid this by providing what is needed and not adding to the hostility of the environment. Typically a person incarcerated for 5 years is less likely to offend than someone who has only served a short time.

[@kaitlyngraves9140]

Yes… super interesting comment, I agree!

[@musikSkool]

An argument does not need to end in violence. If someone disagrees with you, they do not need to be attacked. These basic concepts are ignored in the fight club that is modern American prisons.

[@SaraWOanH]

There is no hope for the correctional system in the US. Recidivism is a lucrative business, a business that many of our own law makers have money in. You'll never see a focus on rehabilitation in America. Law makers are too corrupt and voters are.... Well let's just say they don't know what is in their own best interests.

[@DiddyKong-kl8me]

Regrettably your enlightening insight will never take root. There is simply no billions to be made in rehabilitation.

[@candyce354]

The crazy part about this is that for women if you're found guilty of a felony in California you can't be a surrogate mother you can't adopt you can't donate your uterus you can't even hold pepper spray you can never notarize you can never work in a daycare you can never be a phlebotomist there's so many things that a felony even if it's not your fault even if you're not the main person on the case you lose all your rights

[@mohdnorhafiz8558]

Bases on my opinion, The Correctional services often get little credit for their efforts. They are widely criticised when things go wrong. However, their efforts to rehabilitate offenders are not only sensible, but also cost-efficient and practical. We need to support efforts to create a true system of rehabilitation. Such a system will be comprehensive, coherent and internally consistent in applying evidence-based practice at all levels

[@alanam315]

What rehabilitation efforts do correctional services have when it comes to prisoners? I would like to learn more about it.

[@KarlUrbahn]

This presents a real emotional challenge to victims of horrific crimes. I watch the prosecution of Larry Nassar after he molested over 150 girls and I wonder how many of his victims would say that a Norwegian prison would be a great place for him to serve his sentence. If someone murdered my whole family, I would find it hard at best to accept that a place of luxury is the right place for them to be...it would seem very unjust indeed because our instinct is to make people suffer when they wrong us.

[@pinkskirt7]

With the amount of victims he had and the types of crimes he committed Larry Nassar would be considered a violent offender per the two track system, so he would not be eligible for the second track, he would simply be incarcerated as would murderers and all other violent/dangerous offenders.

[@BernardGarand-yg9oq]

People don't realize our punishment was meeted out by the courts...our freedoms and liberty was taken from us. Not to be further punished by those who hold the keys. Get it right!

[@katsuquiet97]

The system we live in is flawed

[@oliverphippen1957]

Do you have some out way that keeps the public safe ??? exactly ??This system has been going on for centuries ?We use to shoot them / hang them / decapitate them ???

[@jeffbridges5312]

Our system may be 'flawed' for murderers, serial killers, rapists, robbers, home invaders, drunk drivers, drug dealers, false accusers and domestic abusers *but it works pretty well for everyone else, keeping dangerous people away from the public so we can all live safely.*

[@ronp6885]

Jeff Bridges But these people are still human. Yea they have done bad things and should be punished to an extent but you shouldn’t treat them like animals.

[@Cybernaut551]

@@ronp6885 As a human, can confirm.

[@beegyoshi8401]

@@jeffbridges5312 are people really safe if the offenders dont change at all and repeat their crimes?

[@riccardocelestini2188]

Sorry but after years of studies we can’t regress and think that someone because committed an atrocious crime doesn’t deserve help but only incarceration! Are going to think like Lombroso used to think? Criminals are born not made?! That was not ok not even in the 800s as his theory was disproved not long after his death. There is a reason why people commit crimes and they ALL need help and ALL of them need different kinds of help…not the same for everyone, because everyone is different

[@alrex123]

Half-way there. To believe that there are certain criminals who are just "hardened criminals" incapable of rehabilitation is to ignore the "hardening" factors of society. In essence, we give ourselves a clean chit when we incarcerate when infact social factors are the cause and perpetuators of crime. Prisons shouldn't exist. Those budgets should be allocated to social reform that would create safer and less segregated societies in the first place. Otherwise we're just replicating social factors into imprisonment spaces and hoping (illogically) for different outcomes

[@redbird4481]

Yes, the emphasis needs to be on rehabilitation!!

[@BrianKarlovitz]

The Concrete Confessional addiction blog just dropped a two-part expose series on lead creator Jessica Kent. It is a MUST READ for anyone who watches true crime / prison reform content

[@kristons6010]

The problem is the governments pandering to the mentality of some victims. Because a criminal would've hurt them or their loved ones, they want the worst kind of retribution to be inflicted on the guilty. It's ok to have these emotions but as a government whom actually have to pass laws you can't approach this problem from a mainly emotional perspective.

[@phizzhead53]

6:41 a beating should be somthing that can be legaly given out for prison misbehavior because its probably less damaging than solatary confinment

[@bobrussell3602]

What fascinates me is that we have been wrestling with this question since at least biblical times. Imagine ! We've been talking about what works and what doesn't, for 2000 years plus & we still don't have convincing answers. The Romans used to crucify their thieves. Did it work ? Well, IN THAT ERA Jesus Christ said : 'Do not lay up for yourselves treasure on Earth where moths and rust does corrupt & thieves break in & steal.......' So obviously even in an era where they tortured their thieves to death, THEY STILL HAD THIEVES ! The inescapable fact is that there are people who are DETERMINED to be their own worst enemy. I don't think we will have an answer until hundreds of years have passed and we can scientifically identify the difference in the brains of criminals & non criminals.

[@tizayipmuzvuzvu5589]

Thats very brilliant because most of the criminals commits certain offences unintentionally, and they are capable of being reformed, so the loopsided correctional service do much more harm than it tries to reform the convict, in the sense that the harsh living conditions in the prisons hardened and obviously transform them into hard core criminals, which then menace the community than it was firstly over excitedly tried to dealt with; ofcourse as he said there are criminal, for instance, serial killers and so on, who proves to extremely dangerous to the community, one can not argue if they are punished so that the punishment deter or refrain the possibility of other people commiting a certain offence

[@MrApw2011]

Of the people I've known who have faced a lot of punishment during their lives, I've never known of any punishment that corrected anyone. I have known them to make people appear to be corrected when they aren't but no genuine (good) change comes from punishment. In fact, once a person learns that the only sort of attention they will get is via punishment, they will find ways to self-destruct and run towards punishment which sort of sets us all up for exactly what we don't want.

[@gtsoukalas1149]

Great public speaker, I disagree though that rehabilitation should be treated while paying off a sentence so as to ensure social reformation and rehabilitation does not make society utopic-like.

[@tammymccarthy1204]

I am amazed how you brought what’s been happening in the system . Your video has me researching . I have a brother incarcerated. I don’t know if you have looked up one statistic? The town or city ppl are raised in . Once your not liked by the police will profile that person . Its their own personal commitment to make sure they take the person off the streets . I know 2 others 1 who was extremely hated he did 23 yrs the other did 12 they moved and Bam !!!! Their trouble is over !! I call this surviving Covington .

[@tiffanygodbey1894]

Uhhh no. All the cops in my town dont like me based on solely my truck. I have NEVER been to prison. Same with all the other car and truck people in my town. I

[@ItsMe-oi7wp]

The companies that won't hire ex convicts are part of the problem too. Wouldn't be surprised if they have some of their investment portfolios vested in prisons. Shame really a lot come out motivated to do better but are left with the short stick.

[@LisaPangman]

One thing that will help is to put false accusurs in prison. My son has never been in prison before he was falsely accused of a crime.

[@prodigalson6166]

The right to Rehabilitation is covered under the 9th, 13th and 15th, Amendments to the US Constitution. While the 9th Amendment stands alone supporting the right to Rehabilitation, as per Cultural Literacy, as a self-evident truth, the 13th and 15th Amendments strengthen the obvious.

[@dhaystack601]

I believe that it should be structured upon a level or step down system. Level 4 is high level but if they have the knowledge that they can rehabilitate, take classes and vocational classes. College is obtainable, Accounting Classes, Web Design and something that is not seen is religion. I saw as a Correctional Officer no Challenges No programs No religious Programs and the Natives had nothing offered to them. If they were kept busy with things tools they could use in the outside world then they wouldn't have time for drugs or want to stay on drugs. If I had no hope and nothing to look forward to I probably look to drugs just to get by too. The step down program would monitor the offender and offer him/her a chance to move levels down into Classes offered and better living conditions. Until he/she could move into an apartment like cell with a key but on a GPS going out and working making their own money and putting that money on their books. When it came time for them to leave or Parole they would be independent enough to find housing on their own instead of a halfway home or living in the street. Not every offender has a support system, a family to depend on especially the elder offender.

[@davidfalconer8913]

In the UK ... there is an HMP facility in rural Suffolk , named : Hollesley Bay ... This is an ( open , NO fences ? ) prison .. some inmates ( campers ? ) call this .. " Holiday Bay " ... this is where ( SHAMEFULLY ! disgraced members of the UK Government do their " time " ) .. a total difference to the USA Florence " Supermax " ... comments please .. DAVE™🛑

[@lynnmariefye5314]

I am looking for contact information for Mr. Mathews. I would like to find out if he does keynote speaking for conferences

[@derknut9187]

I really like the idea that prisons should be a two step process. Punishment for committing a serious crime should not be eliminated. There should be consequences for making wrong choices. There should be punishment and then rehabilitation. That second phase concerns me a lot, though. Who is to say when your treatment is done? Who determines that? Does that mean your sentence is variable in time so that you and your loved ones never know when you will be released? There are a lot of details to figure out with that second phase. Plus, there are other factors to be considered beyond just rehabilitation. Even if a person has been educated while in prison, will s/he be able to get a job once they are released? If they are returned to an impoverished situation, it's a lack of resources and legal opportunities that will lead them back to jail. Prison programs can't prevent that.

[@snillum5004]

Prison is not a rehabilitation center. Most people learn how to become actual criminals while serving a prison time.

[@felicio9560]

3 years later still no reform

[@tranquilthoughts7233]

The very first thing that the US needs to do to fix their prison system is to forbid private prisons and thus eliminate the influence of the private prison lobby. As long as the private prison lobby exists there will be no change in the US prison system except for the worse.

[@kaitlyngraves9140]

I’m still digesting this, as I just watched it. I’m not sure I agree with the divisive “prison” vs. “rehabilitation”, as it puts violent offenders and petty crime offenders in a box of “worthy” and “unworthy” of rehabilitation. I would also ask him this question: what would happen if the argument he talked about wasn’t discussed and got violent? Does the rehabilitation place have punishment as well? Does the “other” prison have rehabilitation or just punishment? I don’t know if I like this binary necessarily… feels a little icky to me. This Ted Talk was interesting though and I will keep thinking about it…

[@carlfields5457]

Wow! I can't wait to meet you in person, my well-informed friend. 😎

[@candyce354]

🤔🤔🤔

[@jessejudkins3246]

I am a career criminal. The one place the current penal system has lost is that I am not afraid to go to jail. There is no way for your corrections system to correct me because I am not afraid of you. Period. I am not afraid to die. there is nothing any judge lawer or cop can do because I am not scared.

[@atomic_nerd8682]

Do you regret doing It?

[@alanam315]

Are you afraid of losing your freedom? There is no repercussion that could make you think twice about your actions? Maybe a life sentence would be beneficial for as you say a “career criminal” as yourself because you can no longer conduct your crimes. Maybe rehabilitation is not necessary for people like you that do not care at all.

[@anthonyscuteri6763]

in order for rehabilitation to worktheher has to be a separation because it work for some prisoners but not all we deffernational needs to change.

[@troysimmons506]

I always thought punishment was give to give correction not keep the same problem the word rehabilitation has aways scared me like education reprogramming to become not self I would like to know more

[@mrtwister9002]

The "surprising" reason. I'm not surprised at all. The prison is also a perpetual punishment. Once you get out, you are still stigmatized. No employment (gainful employment) and no housing. Better to stay in prison. At least then you have heat during the winter and food.

[@ems3832]

No, better to stay out of prison in the first place. 🙄SMH...

[@mrtwister9002]

@@ems3832 That was a pretty unintelligent to say

[@ems3832]

@@mrtwister9002 "That was a pretty unintelligent to say." Ironic...

[@yoholup19]

@@ems3832 you try being ostracized for the rest of your life over a mistake you did time for Let's say you went to jail for petty theft next thing you know once you do time you aren't allowed to even live a normal life without being judged and or kicked out of society

[@ems3832]

@@yoholup19 No, thanks. It's far, far simpler to avoid jail time in the first place than to deal with the unfortunate (but predictable) social ramifications of it later on, after getting out. A common sense, dot-connecting concept I mastered as a child. My daughter now understands it, too.

[@justinrabbitt9492]

The whole system needs to change and so does other policies for companies as well as apartments. It's all about money in the end but still it's almost 2020 yet the system pretty much makes people who paid their debts forever suffer. Having no job want them despite having the skills and qualifications to do the job. Even have the drive to learn new things in the company. Yet they would be denied cause of the background which might not have anything at all to do with the job. Even getting an apartment shouldn't be so hard on felons trying to reintegrate back into society. They shouldn't have to risk living in a bad part of wherever they are not in a place that is practically falling apart that it has not even a working bathroom to get cleamed up in for a possible job interview. The whole thing needs changed where everyone no matter the crime after paying theur debt should be allowed to get fair housing and a good job to reintegrate back,into society. To be treated with thise small things like an actual human being instead of an animal would really help to not have people re offend. Since the only options for some felony charges are go back to prison whether by choice or force due to strict rules placed on them. Become homeless cause nobody will give you a chance. Or your life ends whether by your own hand or soneone else's. Some felony charges pretty,much even though they could be the lowest level can be more harmful in trying to reintegrate back into society than those that are much worse like murder.

[@ricardoenciso7854]

Justin Rabbitt i 100% agree as long as those with felonies don’t have a violent offense. If it was something else its ok but i as a father would much rather not have a neighbor who had a violent past of assault and much less murder living next to my kids. Yes i might understand im judging people but why should my family live next to someone with a violent past (even after they went to a good rehab for it).

[@mercedesb2299]

@@ricardoenciso7854 I understand your sentiment but you don't have the right to destroy someone else's life simply because you are afraid of them. If they have paid their debt to society and been released they should have the same freedoms and rights as anyone else. The reality is, any neighbor can be dangerous regardless of their criminal history. Think of all the people that serial killers manage to kill BEFORE going to prison. I have known plenty of ex-cons and I would have no problem living next to an ex-con any day (with the exception of rapists or child molesters) because they tend to be pretty heavily invested in not going back to prison. The only reason the recidivism rate is so high is because society ostracizes them completely and treats them as less than human

[@michaelmulligan0]

The punishment should fit the crime, rehabilitation will be cheaper in the long run but important to remember that to be rehabilitated you have to want to be. Maybe the rehabilitation and different approach should be the incentive to good behaviour while in prison.

[@Mr._Moderate]

With those words you've already assumed that most prisoners don't want to be rehabilitated. Just like innocent until proven guilty it should be rehab until proven that they cannot be

[@Mr._Moderate]

@United Europe that's doesn't make sense so no.

[@sneakysneakyraccoon8538]

@United Europe You do realize people can change their minds right?

[@Gypsymumma90]

We need to reform people

[@LAArlee]

astounding!

[@VogtTD]

Why does the "punishment track" need to exist at all? Exclude dangerous people from society if need be, but don't "punish" them.

[@yoholup19]

The issue Is that it affects non violent offenders resulting in ostracism

[@VogtTD]

@@yoholup19 I'm confused. Are you agreeing with me?

[@yoholup19]

@@VogtTD yesnt

[@Throughthelurkinglass]

I don't think they were made to correct people, but to correct society

[@tgrant9383]

Yes!!!!

[@Gypsymumma90]

We need to fix it ..

[@snillum5004]

Our homeless rate is at its peak from people being incarcerated and loosing everything apon release most people don't know where to go have no way to call anyone if anyone to call at all. And a lot of prisoners released commit another crim within hours after release not because they're criminals it's because they have no ideal what to do and don't want to become homeless

[@michaeltraynor9388]

There is no such thing as rehabilitation. It's all about punishment. Its why they enforce doing criminal background check on employees.. they want to keep them down.

[@teddy7746]

IT'S ALL ABOUT MONEY

[@oliverphippen1957]

No its all about the Mental Health and lies and codes given ??

[@ch33les99]

Oliver Phippen « codes »?

[@oliverphippen1957]

The internal codes of the prison like no snitching etc ????

[@UnknownProspect423]

I feel like there should be different levels base on what crime you did. Example: You killed someone and you will go into a prison will full of murders.

[@DrFaust-pr8vw]

Yes but that would be very expensive and the prison system is all about profit.

[@UnknownProspect423]

@@DrFaust-pr8vw True.

[@startpage717]

Have you read Michel Foucault "Discipline and Punishment, The Birth of the Prison" ?

[@michaeldoran4367]

And we incarcerate more people than any other country. Unbelievable

[@jessejudkins3246]

The best way to beat the criminal justice system in my experience is to keep your mouth shut and have absolutely no fear. Only under certain situations can they take your life. The illusion of authority if fear based. without perceived fear the judge has nothing.

[@Gypsymumma90]

Other countries do more of reforming programs instead of jail or prison

[@patrickknight6542]

I've googled, guy... but I haven't found sourcing for recidivism rates. If anyone could help me out... I'd appreciate it!

[@rileyfairchild6873]

What about the guy that shot all those students on that island of Norway? When is he cured, when he restored his victims to life?