Should our criminal justice system be more punitive or rehabilitative? Why?
I think our criminal justice system should be more rehabilitative than punitive. Rehabilitation just generally seems like a better route because it can still serve the purpose as a punishment but can allow the offender for a more seamless integration back into society. The offender can be placed in prison as a punishment for their crime, but also be given the chance to prove they are reformed/get access to rehabilitation programs so that they eventually feel remorse for their actions and can be placed back into society, whereas punishment would not allow for such “makeup”. Additionally, if the offender has not been reformed and is still likely to commit crimes after rehabilitation, it is not necessary for those inmates to be let out. They can be deemed as high risk offenders and kept within prisons to protect society from themselves. Punishment does not allow for the flexibility to be offered a second chance, to prove your remorse and guilt while still being held responsible; it jumps straight to the responsibility.
I can analyze evidence to make judgements, as was demonstrated within my OJ. Simpson assignment from the start of the course. In that assignment, I had to interpret multiple pieces of evidence and use them to make an educated judgement as to if Simpson was guilty or innocent. However, I still had to argue for both sides so while I wasn’t set into one judgement after analyzing the evidence, I was able to use evidence to support my arguments which played into my judgements as both a prosecutor and defense attorney for Simpson.