What is imprisonment meant to achieve and what does it actually achieve? Essay P…

What is imprisonment meant to achieve and what does it actually achieve? Essay P…

This mind map is a university essay plan looking at what imprisonment is meant to achieve and what it actually achieves in reality. There are two principle considerations; the intentions and achievements of prison in relation to the imprisoned individual, and the intentions and achievements of prison in relation to larger society. This map may be a useful starting point to anyone considering this question or something similar.

AI Generated Description:
The mind map explores the core question: What is imprisonment meant to achieve, and what does it actually accomplish? It divides its analysis into two perspectives—effects on the individual and on the wider community. For individuals, imprisonment is theoretically intended to serve five functions: rehabilitation, punishment, isolation, protection, and deterrence. However, the map questions whether these goals are realistic or even compatible. It highlights issues such as prisoners being further entrenched in criminal subcultures and the challenges of reintegrating into society post-release.

For the community, the purposes include protection, deterrence, and reassurance. Yet the document critiques these ideals by pointing to high recidivism rates and the limited evidence for deterrence. The mind map includes theoretical perspectives from sociologists like Durkheim and Garland, and discusses "latent functions" of imprisonment—unintended social consequences like reinforcing criminal identity.

This resource would be useful for:

- Criminology and sociology students
- Criminal justice professionals and policymakers
- Social workers and reform advocates
- Anyone researching penal reform or evaluating correctional systems

Its value lies in presenting both normative ideals and critical evaluations of actual outcomes, inviting readers to question whether the system meets its stated aims.