Does the offender who has been removed from society as a result of actions against that society, have a right to treatment?

Online Discussion 1-The Offender’s Right to Treatment: A Philosophical Question
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45 unread replies.
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45 replies.
Value: 5%
Due: at the end of week 4
We have established why casework is a necessary part of any correctional system, but this leads to a further question: Does the offender who has been removed from society as a result of actions against that society, have a right to treatment?
In the medical arena this principle is well established, and in most jurisdictions, offenders in custody are entitled to a standard of medical care which is at least as good as they would have “on the street”. (In fact, the standard of medical care is probably better in custody for most offenders since personal care is often a low priority: they tend not to avail themselves of doctors, dentists, and emergency rooms when “on the street.”)
Can the same principle be applied to the area of casework and counselling? When we remove someone from society and place them in custody, they no longer have the resources available to them that they would have on the street. Do they have the right to such resources as may be reasonably provided in goal- or is it a privilege? The search for an answer to this question constitutes our first discussion.
1. You are required to participate in a discussion on the topic listed above.
2. Begin your participation with an initial posting. Your opinion is of value, but must be supported by information from the course, research, or personal example. Sources where used must be cited.
Post your response in the discussion on the next page.

Online Discussion 2 – A Case-Based Discussion
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3 unread replies.
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3 replies.
Value: 5%
Due: End of Week 8
The following discussion is an opportunity to share your own thoughts and experiences with others in the class. You are encouraged to participate as much as you wish. The instructor will establish a timeline for the discussion at the beginning of each semester. You will be graded on both the number of posts and replies, and the quality of your contributions, as is described in the rubric which follows. Remember that your comments are open to everyone.
Three situations were introduced to you earlier in this module, and are described again below. Assuming you are the caseworker, what action would you take in response, and what would be the likely consequences? Comment on your position with respect to the quote which follows the case examples.
Case Example 1: You are supervising Jenny, a 16-year-old girl, on probation. She has a troubled past, but has done well since she came onto your caseload, and you have established an excellent relationship with her. She trusts you. One day, she tells you that she has been selling drugs to her friends.
Case Example 2: Bill, an offender on your unit, is also on your caseload. He has a record for violence, but while in prison has been working hard on personal issues, including anger management, and is coming up for parole in the near future. One day, while you are the only officer on duty, he loses it when another inmate accidentally bumps into him. You have to lock him into his cell to cool down. Later he is apologetic – but now you have to make a recommendation to the Parole Board.
Case Example 3: One day, while conducting a unit check, you notice that Louis is glassy eyed. He denies any drug use, but his pupils look dilated and he appears to be unusually mellow. Louis has a long-standing drug problem on the street, but has been clean for several months now. He has been a willing and eager participant, in fact is turning into a leader, in the Addictions group that you facilitate, and is attending Narcotics Anonymous where he has formed a strong bond with an outside sponsor. You know that if Louis will test positive for narcotics if he is reported.
Henry Miller (Smith and Berlin, 1981, p.93) suggests that “. . . it is more dignified to permit an offender to do his time and pay his debt to society than to insist on rehabilitating him against his will.” Do you agree? Why or why not?

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