수형자의 사회복귀와 처우의 개방화

Abstract

The conventional in-prison treatment and programs have limited inmates' reintegration by making their contacts with outside world difficult. However as the goal of punishment has moved from that of retribution into rehabilitation and reintegration, the importance of contacts with the society has been gradually recognized. The methods of "open treatment" is designed to reduce the degree of surveillance and control and at the same time to increase inmates' responsibility and self-reliance. Through more contacts with outside world, inmates are able to learn how to work and live as law-abiding citizens and through more autonomous life in prison, inmates can get the competency about themselves. Many experts agree that this is the most effective way to rehabilitate criminal offenders. On the contrary, although many believe the effectiveness of "open treatment," some are worried about the risk of break-out from prison. Inmates' break out of the prison surely make the safety of the innocent public in danger and it is the worst scenario in the eye of the advocates for open treatment. Regarding this issue, one should weigh a positive outcome of reintegration and rehabilitation and a negative outcome of the risk of inmate's run-away. In fact, the negative consequence does not outweigh the positive effects of the open treatment. That's why we should continue to administer various methods of the open treatment.