Nothing Works

For most of this century, the belief in rehabilitation has been steadfast. Criminality has been presumed to be a product of outside forces, whether psychological or sociological, the effects of which can be reversed by reprogramming or resocialization. During the first half of this decade, however, rehabilitation is deemed a failure.

This change began when the New York State Governor's Special Committee on Criminal Offenders solicited the help of sociologist Robert Martinson and his colleagues to undertake an in-depth investigation of 231 correctional treatment programs. The project was completed in 1970, but the information is not made public until it is subpoenaed as evidence in a case before the Bronx Supreme Court. Finally, in 1974, Martinson describes the project's findings in an article entitled "What Works?"

His report is not entirely pessimistic. It notes that there does not appear to be a singular successful rehabilitative method and expresses concern about the effectiveness of conducting such efforts in a prison setting. But some things are found to work some of the time. Nevertheless, "What Works?" rings the death knell for rehabilitation. "Nothing works" becomes a popular phrase and a battle cry for conservatives who support retribution. Another blow to rehabilitation comes from those concerned about prisoners' rights. Because rehabilitation efforts have no constitutional limits, some of them are more invasive and disconcerting than straightforward punishments. It will not be until the dawn of the next century that rehabilitation will be poised for a comeback.

Tata Smoking in her House Brenda Ann Kenneally