...a common observation, that few are mended by…
“...a common observation, that few are mended by imprisonment, and that he, whose crimes have made confinement necessary, seldom makes any other use of his enlargement, than to do, with greater cunning, what he did before with less.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Imprisonment rarely reforms criminals; instead, they often become more skillful at their crimes.
In simple terms: Prison seldom changes a criminal's behavior.
Key Takeaway
Recognize that punishment alone may not deter wrongdoing.
Themes
justice
rehabilitation
crime
human nature
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- prison reform
- criminal justice policy
- rehabilitation programs
Key Concepts
recidivism
psychology
social control
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies reduce recidivism beyond incarceration?
- What alternatives to imprisonment might be more effective?
A Different Perspective
Punishment can reinforce criminal expertise rather than reform.