THE primary purpose of imprisonment has long oscillated across retribution, deterrence and reformation. Recently, a growing consensus among sociologists and legal professionals supports the notion that prisons should primarily serve as institutions for reformation rather than mere punishment, believing that society benefits more from rehabilitating offe-nders than from simply punishing them.

Sociologists link crime to socioeconomic factors, like poverty, lack of education, and inequality. Émile Durkheim argued that crime is inevitable and that society’s response reflects its values. He advocated for rehabilitation over punishment to address the root causes. Robert K. Merton supported this view, stressing the need to address societal strains. Merton’s strain theory suggests that providing education, vocational training and mental health support can reduce recidivism and help offenders reintegrate into society.

From a legal perspective, the justice system’s role goes beyond punishment to provide offenders the chance to reform themselves.

This approach effectively supports restorative justice, which seeks to repair harm through reconciliation between the offender and victim, and often includes community involvement to support healing and rehabilitation.

It is nice that the prisons in the Sindh province are transforming their focus from mere confinement to rehabilitation. The provincial prisons department has been rebranded as the Sindh Prison and Corrections Service (SPCS). This legis-lation has been aimed at eliminating prevalent colonial-era inhumane practices in prisons.

Improved diet and healthcare initiatives show a shift towards a more humane and effective approach to incarceration. Rehabilitation activities have expanded to include arts, handicrafts, and music, helping inmates develop skills as well as self-esteem. However, with the current rate of overpopulation in prisons, such steps may not yield the desired results. To realise the true spirit of the agenda of reforms, the government must address the issue of overpopulation to safeguard inmates from unusual challenges.

Reformation allows the criminal justice system to address the root causes of cri-minal behaviour, reduce recidivism, and contribute to a more just society.

As such, historical and contemporary evidence suggests that the true measure of a society’s civility lies in its capacity to reform rather than merely punish.

Mujeeb Ali
Larkana

Published in Dawn, October 15th, 2024