--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Since the late 1970's, the main focus of…" description: "\"Since the late 1970's, the main focus of prisons has been punishment, not rehabilitation. It's hard to believe, but you would be hard-pressed to find a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/07d/james-fox-27017_adults_since-the-late-1970-s-the-main-focus-of_2344503.jpg" --- # Since the late 1970's, the main focus of prisons has been… ![“Since the late 1970's, the main focus of prisons has been punishment, not rehabilitation. It's hard to believe, but you would be hard-pressed to find a meaningful violence-prevention class in a federal or state penitentiary. And 'we the people' are footing the bill to keep these folks imprisoned…” quote by James Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/07d/james-fox-27017_adults_since-the-late-1970-s-the-main-focus-of_2344503.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/07d/james-fox-27017_adults_since-the-late-1970-s-the-main-focus-of_2344503.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/07d/james-fox-27017_adults_since-the-late-1970-s-the-main-focus-of_2344503.jpg) > “Since the late 1970's, the main focus of prisons has been punishment, not rehabilitation. It's hard to believe, but you would be hard-pressed to find a meaningful violence-prevention class in a federal or state penitentiary. And 'we the people' are footing the bill to keep these folks imprisoned. It costs on average $46,000 a year to keep an adult incarcerated in California and about the same for New York State.” [James Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-fox/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Prisons prioritize punishment over rehabilitation, costing taxpayers heavily while lacking effective violence‑prevention programs. **In simple terms:** Prisons focus on punishment, not rehab, and are expensive. Key Takeaway Advocate for rehabilitative, cost‑effective correctional policies. Themes justice economics rehabilitation policy Mood critical concerned Type policy social When to use this quote - budget planning - legislative reform - community programs - non‑profit advocacy Key Concepts public spending recidivism social welfare Questions to Reflect On - What incentives can shift prisons toward rehab? - How can taxpayers be persuaded to support reform? A Different Perspective Rehabilitation may face political resistance and funding challenges. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adults](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adults/) [California](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/california/) [Class](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/class/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Meaningful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meaningful/) [New york](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-york/) [New york state](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-york-state/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Prevention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prevention/) [Prison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prison/) [Prisons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prisons/) [Punishment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/punishment/) [Rehabilitation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rehabilitation/) [Violence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violence/) [York State](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/york-state/) ## Related quotes > [New York State is upside down and backwards; high taxes and low performance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-cuomo/new-york-state-is-upside-down-and-backwards-high-taxes-and-low/) [Andrew Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-cuomo/) > [The New York State Freeway's closed, man. Far out!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arlo-guthrie/the-new-york-state-freeway-s-closed-man-far-out/) [Arlo Guthrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arlo-guthrie/) > [How come regional pandering only works in one direction, right? You never see a Southern politician trying to win votes in New York State…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/how-come-regional-pandering-only-works-in-one-direction-right-you/) [Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/) > [Saudia Arabia takes in half a trillion dollars every year in oil revenue, and the country has a population smaller than New York state,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/saudia-arabia-takes-in-half-a-trillion-dollars-every-year-in-oil/) [Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/) > [I lay puzzle as I backtrack to earlier times, Nothing's equivalent to the New York state of mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-lay-puzzle-as-i-backtrack-to-earlier-times-nothing-s-equivalent-to/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [In New York State they have a strange law that says you can't get a divorce unless you can prove adultery - and it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/in-new-york-state-they-have-a-strange-law-that-says-you-can-t-get-a/) [Woody Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/) > [Forests are breaking out all over America. New England has more forests since the Civil War. In 1880, New York State was only 25…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-goldberg/forests-are-breaking-out-all-over-america-new-england-has-more/) [Jonah Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-goldberg/) > [Government by three men in a room has turned New York State into a national symbol of governmental dysfunction. Enough is enough!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bloomberg/government-by-three-men-in-a-room-has-turned-new-york-state-into-a/) [Michael Bloomberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bloomberg/) > [When Mrs. Clinton ran for office, she promised economic growth across New York state, to bring in more than 200,000 jobs, ... She has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brenner/when-mrs-clinton-ran-for-office-she-promised-economic-growth-across/) [David Brenner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brenner/) > [I think we've got a number of states coming up that we're going to do extremely well and possibly winning, including California and New…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/i-think-we-ve-got-a-number-of-states-coming-up-that-we-re-going-to-do/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [I'm in a New York state of mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/i-m-in-a-new-york-state-of-mind/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [The school children of New York State planted more than 200,000 trees within ten years from the time Arbor Day was recognized. Few similar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-s-draper/the-school-children-of-new-york-state-planted-more-than-200-000-trees/) Andrew S. Draper > [ Thirteen states with a population less than that of New York State alone can prevent repeal \[of prohibition\] until Halley's comet returns. One might… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-darrow/thirteen-states-with-a-population-less-than-that-of-new-york-state/) [Clarence Darrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-darrow/) > [Fracking is our biggest enemy right now in the U.S. Actually, not just in the U.S., because all our water systems are interconnected. Whether…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-somerhalder/fracking-is-our-biggest-enemy-right-now-in-the-u-s-actually-not-just/) [Ian Somerhalder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-somerhalder/) > [I carried it (a revolver) religiously and during the summer I asked a friend, a man who had been one of Franklin's bodyguards in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-roosevelt/i-carried-it-a-revolver-religiously-and-during-the-summer-i-asked-a/) [Eleanor Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-roosevelt/) ## More by James Fox > [I teach that the foundation for our practice is being able to go inward and disconnect from the busyness of our thoughts, that focusing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-fox/i-teach-that-the-foundation-for-our-practice-is-being-able-to-go/) [James Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-fox/) > ['Performance' gave me doubts about my way of life. Before that, I had been completely involved in the more bawdy side of the film…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-fox/performance-gave-me-doubts-about-my-way-of-life-before-that-i-had/) [James Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-fox/) > [“You don't ask of Justice; it asks of you." -Danny Rollings”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-fox/you-don-t-ask-of-justice-it-asks-of-you-danny-rollings/) [James Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-fox/) > [Sensitivity is equated with weakness. Feelings are for women. It's OK to express happiness or anger, but it's not OK to feel fear or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-fox/sensitivity-is-equated-with-weakness-feelings-are-for-women-it-s-ok/) [James Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-fox/) > [Intense asana practice - too much, too soon - can have detrimental effects. It can also promote a dissociation from the personal sensitivity and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-fox/intense-asana-practice-too-much-too-soon-can-have-detrimental-effects/) [James Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-fox/) > [Yoga class is intimate even just from the standpoint of taking off your socks. Exposing your bare feet can be a big deal. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-fox/yoga-class-is-intimate-even-just-from-the-standpoint-of-taking-off/) [James Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-fox/) > [There's often an assumption you're more privileged if you belong to a family with people who have made a success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-fox/there-s-often-an-assumption-you-re-more-privileged-if-you-belong-to-a/) [James Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-fox/) > [I'm very emotional, very explosive, very temperamental.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-fox/i-m-very-emotional-very-explosive-very-temperamental/) [James Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-fox/) > [I'm not fearful by nature, but I am vigilant. When you walk into a prison, it's important that a sixth sense kicks in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-fox/i-m-not-fearful-by-nature-but-i-am-vigilant-when-you-walk-into-a/) [James Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-fox/) > [People think 'Performance' blew my mind... my mind was blown long before that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-fox/people-think-performance-blew-my-mind-my-mind-was-blown-long-before/) [James Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-fox/) > [The code that most prisoners live by is an extension of the masculine roles they were taught growing up, how they were conditioned about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-fox/the-code-that-most-prisoners-live-by-is-an-extension-of-the-masculine/) [James Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-fox/) > [“I am...only a small part of history and the legacy of mankind's fall from grace. - Danny Rollings”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-fox/i-am-only-a-small-part-of-history-and-the-legacy-of-mankind-s-fall/) [James Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-fox/) > [Ninety percent of what most yoga teachers do is teach asana practice. While asana discharges stress and so forth, it was never intended to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-fox/ninety-percent-of-what-most-yoga-teachers-do-is-teach-asana-practice/) [James Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-fox/) > [You will surely smile with me when I say, 'Thank God one can still recognise self-pity as such and not give it any greater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-fox/you-will-surely-smile-with-me-when-i-say-thank-god-one-can-still/) [James Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-fox/) > [When you're on the yard, prisoner politics dictate that you only socialize with your own race. If you fraternize with other races, you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-fox/when-you-re-on-the-yard-prisoner-politics-dictate-that-you-only/) [James Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-fox/) [Explore all 21 James Fox quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-fox/) ## More Adults quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [Behind every successful child is an adult who believed in him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/behind-every-successful-child-is-an-adult-who-believed-in-him/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [The thing about hitting kids is, think about if you were doing the same thing to another adult. Hitting your kid is really the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/the-thing-about-hitting-kids-is-think-about-if-you-were-doing-the/) [Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/) > [Plainly, the environment must be a living one, directed by a higher intelligence, arranged by an adult who is prepared for his mission.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/plainly-the-environment-must-be-a-living-one-directed-by-a-higher/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [Almost everywhere we find . . . the use of various coercive measures, to rid ourselves as quickly as possible of the child withinus--i.e.,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-miller/almost-everywhere-we-find-the-use-of-various-coercive-measures-to-rid/) [Alice Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-miller/) > [Education, for most people, means trying to lead the child to resemble the typical adult of his society . . . but for me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-piaget/education-for-most-people-means-trying-to-lead-the-child-to-resemble/) [Jean Piaget](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-piaget/) > [I do not believe in public shaming. I do believe that young adults go to college to learn things, and that this process will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-weingarten/i-do-not-believe-in-public-shaming-i-do-believe-that-young-adults-go/) [Gene Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-weingarten/) > [The Role of Deliberate Practice in the Acquisition of Expert Performance”: “The differences between expert performers and normal adults are not immutable, that is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-anders-ericsson/the-role-of-deliberate-practice-in-the-acquisition-of-expert/) K. 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As much as we like them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-abagnale/when-i-was-a-child-at-sixteen-i-was-just-a-child-all-sixteen-year/) [Frank Abagnale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-abagnale/) [Browse all 3,113 Adults quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adults/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Since the late 1970's, the main focus of prisons has been punishment, not rehabilitation. It's hard to believe, but you would be hard-pressed to find a meaningful violence-prevention class in a federal or state penitentiary. And 'we the people' are footing the bill to keep these folks imprisoned. 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