NCJ Number
196851
Journal
Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 7 Issue: 5 Dated: September-October 2002 Pages: 513-528
Date Published
September 2002
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This paper argues that every rehabilitation program presupposes conceptions of possible "good lives" for offenders and, associated with this, an understanding of the necessary internal and external conditions for living such lives.
Abstract
The term "good lives" is used to refer to ways of living that are beneficial and fulfilling for individuals. The conception of a possible good life for an offender should include a practical understanding of the possible ways of living that are realistic for him/her. It should take note of each offender's capabilities, temperament, interests, skills, commitments, and support networks. The conception of good lives or well-being that underlie rehabilitation programs is what gives them their directedness. It links the identification of risk factors or psychological problems with the desired outcome of reduced recidivism. There are three classes of primary "goods" derived from the facts of the body, self, and social life, and the basic human needs associated with such facts. The primary "goods" of the body include basic physiological needs for sex, food, warmth, water, sleep, and the healthy functioning of the body as a whole. The primary "goods" of the self are derived from the basic needs of autonomy, relatedness, and competence. The primary "goods" of the social life include social support, family life, meaningful work opportunities, and access to recreational activities. The possibility of constructing and translating such concepts of good lives into actions and concrete ways of living depends on the possession of internal and external conditions (capabilities). The author applies this conception of good lives to treatment programs for sex offenders and habitual offenders. 18 references