How Do We Define Prisons? - Perspectives and Challenges

Perspectives and Challenges

Key Words and Terms: Recidivism, Re-integration of ex-detainees, Socio-cultural challenges

1.0 Introduction

How do we define prisons? Prisons are basically, institutions known to be a means of punishment by confinement

and deterrence for deviants and criminals, through conviction by the Justice System and subsequently

incarceration. However incarceration in prisons also has mission to allow reformation and rehabilitation for

detainees and instead deter recidivism. Moreover, according to the United Nations (UN) Standard Minimum

Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (SMR) it has been made clear that "the purpose and justification of a

sentence of imprisonment is ultimately to protect society against crime, and that this end can only be achieved if

the period of imprisonment is used to ensure, so far as possible, that upon returning to society the offender is not

only willing but able to lead a law-abiding and self-supporting life" (SMR, R.58). Huge investments to reform

prisoners seem to be sunk money as repeat offending appear to be on the rise in many countries of the world.

According to United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2006), "Social reintegration in the prison setting refers

to assisting with the moral, vocational and educational development of the imprisoned individual via working

practices, educational, cultural, and recreational activities available in prison. It includes addressing the special

needs of offenders, with programmes covering a range of problems, such as substance addiction, mental or

psychological conditions, anger and aggression, among others, which may have led to offending behaviour."

Mauritius is a developing country, signatory to UN guidelines where no serious study has yet been undertaken

concerning recidivism and its consequences. In the case of this paper, it is the extent of recidivism in Mauritius

which will be analysed as a proxy to assess the effectiveness of social reintegration measures.

Harish Fhooblall,

Hemant B. Chittoo, Associate Professor School of Business Management

& Finance, University of Technology, Mauritius, E-mail: schitto@hotmail.com