Paradigms to Correctional Punishment: Conservatism, Liberalism, and Radicalism
Dr. Michael Beshears, Dr. Michelle Beshears, and Dr. Mark Bond
What is a paradigm? In brief, a paradigm is a way one views the world or mentally organizes within one’s self the knowledge they possess or have gained in order for it to make sense. That said, the major paradigms to punishment are conservatism, liberalism, and radicalism.
Conservatism: The conservatism paradigm, as presented here reflects that the conservative approach view of imprisonment, as being directed at deterrence and incapacitation. It promotes that prison life should be uncomfortable and even painful so that rational individuals will wish to never return, as well as be deterred to repeat the unlawful act that caused their previous imprisonment.
The conservative approach paradigm to the reader may sound comparable, if not identical to the retributive approach philosophy if one would consider deterrence and incapacitation from a retributive approach rationale. Nevertheless, the conservative (punitive philosophies), which developed in the late 1970s and early 1980s appear to remain at the present to be the dominant penal philosophies. In fact, this movement in philosophy, as seen today is often deemed by many criminology scholars, as the New Conservatism or Justice and Just Deserts philosophy.
These approaches blend a mixture of retributivism with utilitarianism, thereby forming a so-called, new retributive approach, which according to some texts is an old approach much like the pre-Jacksonian deterrence and incapacitation view with only a few minor differences, which are typically referred as retributive proportionalities. Additionally, the Just Deserts Model justifies the punishment from the retributive perspective rather than from the utilitarian and is an advocate of the utilization of determinate sentencing, as opposed to indeterminate. Furthermore, the Just Deserts Model supports the separation of treatment options from release decisions. The Just Deserts Model submits that the goals of incapacitation (custody) are retribution instead of reform. Still, one cannot ignore references to the political separation of ideologies and the seeming compromise of penal methodologies versus ideologies that may have contributed to giving today’s preferentiality to these approaches.
Liberalism: The liberalism paradigm approach places great importance on rehabilitation and reform with regard to imprisonment. Liberalism seems to look upon imprisonment as an opportunity rather than a punishment. The imprisonment opportunity being offered, as seen by the reader seemed to be directed at society i.e., an opportunity for society to reform an inmate or at least address an inmate’s problems, so he or she may be reintegrated back into society, with a better chance of succeeding and not returning to a life of crime. The liberalism approach paradigm to the reader sounded comparable, if not identical to the utilitarian approach philosophy if one would consider deterrence and incapacitation from a utilitarian approach rationale and serving the many, as the end result achieved.
Radicalism: The radicalism paradigm approach truly takes a completely different view of the entire concept of imprisonment, as compared to other paradigms, in that it promotes the complete abolishment of prisons. The radical approach neither compares to the retributive or utilitarian rationale of imprisonment, as it sees prisons as places where the powerful enslave the powerless. However, there is at least one similarity with reference to the radical approach view to another i.e., the Marxist view. The similarity being with regard to economics and those with economic power; in that each seems to share the belief that those with economic power also have social and legal power.
Dr. Michael Beshears
Dr. Beshears has an associate degree in general studies and a dual baccalaureate degree in criminal justice and psychology from Drury University. In addition, he has three graduate degrees, one in criminology from Indiana State University and another in health services management from Webster University. Plus, an additional 18 graduate hours in public administration. His Ph.D. is in business with a specialization in criminal justice from Northcentral University. Dr. Beshears after 22 years of honorable service retired from the United States Army in 1998, at the rank of Master Sergeant. While on active duty he was the Non-commissioned Officer of the Year at 2 different commands and an Army Leadership Academy Honor Graduate. As a civilian, he has worked with the local sheriff’s department, state drug task force and FBI. Dr. Beshears has acquired over 20 years of teaching experience in the traditional and online teaching environment. He has an extensive background and first-hand experience in online andragogy instruction, as one of the first Internet (online) course developers and instructors. Since 1994, he has instructed 10,000+ online and traditional students in criminal justice, corrections, and management. He has mentored numerous colleagues in the skills required to instruct online while promoting student success. Dr. Beshears resides with his wife Dr. Michelle Beshears, their son Hunter, and daughter Malia near Norfork and Bull Shoals Lakes, in Clarkridge, Arkansas. He also has three beautiful grown daughters Michele, Cora, and Mollye.
Dr. Michelle Beshears
Dr. Beshears has earned two baccalaureate degrees one in social psychology and another in criminal justice. She also has two graduate degrees one in human resource development and another in criminology from Indiana State University. She has also earned her Ph.D. in Business Administration with a specialization in Criminal Justice from Northcentral University. Dr. Beshears served in the U.S. Army for 11 years. She obtained the rank of Staff Sergeant prior to attending Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia where she earned her commission. As a commissioned officer. Dr. Beshears has led numerous criminal investigations and worked with several external agencies as well. As a civilian, she has worked with the local sheriff’s department, state drug task force and FBI. Dr. Beshears resides with her husband Dr. Michael Beshears, their son Hunter, and daughter Malia near Norfork and Bull Shoals Lakes, in Clarkridge, Arkansas. She also has three beautiful grown stepdaughters, Michele, Cora, and Mollye.
Dr. Mark Bond
Dr. Bond has worked in law enforcement and has been a firearms instructor for more than 33 years. His law enforcement experience includes the military, local, state and federal levels as a police officer and criminal investigator. Mark obtained a BS and MS in criminal justice and M.Ed in educational leadership with Summa Cum Laude honors. As a lifelong learner, he earned his doctoral degree in education (EdD) with a concentration in college teaching and learning. Mark is currently an assistant professor of criminal justice at a university and adjunct professor of administration of justice studies at a community college.
