When an individual is at risk of self-destruction or causing harm to others, two common approaches to address the situation are isolation and rehabilitation.
Isolation, also known as solitary confinement, involves separating a person from others when they pose a physical threat to themselves or those around them. This is often used as a punishment within the criminal justice system, with the isolated individual being cut off from the outside world and only able to communicate with prison staff.
On the other hand, rehabilitation is a process focused on correcting a person’s harmful behaviors or habits, such as drug addiction, alcoholism, or mental instability. The goal of rehabilitation is to help the individual return to their previous state of well-being and eliminate their harmful tendencies or guide them towards mental stability.
Key Takeaways
- Isolation, or solitary confinement, is a punishment for individuals who pose a threat to themselves or others and involves separating them from the general population.
- Rehabilitation is a process aimed at correcting harmful behaviors or habits and helping the individual return to a healthy state of being.
- While both isolation and rehabilitation are used to address potentially dangerous situations, isolation is a punishment for imprisoned individuals, while rehabilitation is a step-by-step program for those who can still be part of a normal society once the process is completed.