- Question
Should prisons be abolished?
Prison abolitionism is an ongoing debate globally, but in American society in particular. Prisons were first created to punish the guilty for their crimes and protect the innocent from harm. Now, some are creating rehabilitation programs to help the incarcerated have a better life after being released. Are prison systems effective, and would abolishing them be beneficial for society?
Yes, prisons should be abolished
This position holds that prisons should be abolished. It argues that prisons simply do not work, that private prisons profit from locking people up, and that incarceration is immoral — and that a more ethical system would reintegrate offenders into society as citizens instead.
No, prisons should not be abolished
This position holds that prisons should not be abolished. It argues that prisons are crucial to protecting the lives of innocent people, that they do work to keep dangerous offenders off the streets, and that the threat of prison deters would-be criminals.
Prisons should be reformed
Prisons and criminal justice systems worldwide, but especially in the United States, have numerous flaws and injustices. These flaws need correction for positive change to manifest within prisons and see a decrease in repeat offenders.