Are They the Problem? – A Commentary

Are They the Problem? – A Commentary

Society plays a critical role in the perceptions we have of our environments and the people in them. The societal rules and norms surrounding our understanding of each other and our related interactions with our environments create order. The rules also enhance our assessments of risks, thus supporting self-preservation.  Research into human behavior has also made it possible to develop laws and create institutions to enhance order. For instance, the utilitarian theory creates a basis for legislation aimed at reducing pain points and enhancing societal gain.

Despite the leaps made in our understanding of societal cohesion, the subjectivity in application of rules is sometimes challenging. It is imperative for institutions guarding the integrity of social order to conduct adequate assessments for sustainable solutions to some of our most pressing concerns. A good example highlighting said subjectivity is the consideration of prevailing circumstances when adjudicating over personal social conflicts and exclusion of the same when similar problems scale up to involve the government, as is the scenario in most criminal cases.

 Most people have a natural inclination to focus on the problem when resolving issues with friends, family members and even work colleagues. However, when dealing with crimes, people tend to perceive the offenders as the problem instead of their actions, which often makes it difficult for prisoners to reintegrate into society even after their behavioral rehabilitation. The attachment of negative perceptions to the people after incarceration (rather than their behavior) has also made it easier to overlook factors supporting the problematic behavior and often created a persistent loop of criminal behavior among people labeled as criminals.

What if society actually assigned labels such as ‘criminal’ to behavior and not to the people involved; would it make it easier to continue viewing the offenders as valuable members of the society? Could that be the main issue limiting reintegration efforts after serving prison sentences? What are your thoughts?

Article by Ivy Ndindi

Strategy and Innovations Director, CELSIR