Quora Answer: Which is More Effective: Punishment or Rehabilitation?

The following is my answer to a Quora question: “Which method is more effective, punishment or rehabilitation?” 

When considering the consequences for breaking the law, punishment must go along with rehabilitation.  Punishment by itself does not serve society since long incarceration is a cost upon society.  As such, it makes sense that Singapore, for example, adopts a preventive philosophy for law as opposed to a punitive one.  There is capital punishment, and the penalties for major crimes are very strict.  The intent is to discourage law breaking as opposed to punishing it after the fact.  The death penalty for crimes such as drug trafficking, murder, kidnapping and intentional firearms discharge with intent to hurt is either a massive deterrent, or it removes the perpetrators from the gene pool. 

As for everyone else, the intent is that they can be returned to society and contribute to it after their time served.  This is where rehabilitation is part of the process.  It involves counselling, the provision of life skills, and a support network after they leave to limit recidivism to the minimum.  Otherwise, we are simply returning criminals to society, with no incentive to contribute to it.  Prison should not be a revolving door.