dc.description.abstract | The theory of H.ef()rmution advocates that Punishment imposed against a convict should aim at remoulding him
by the application of corrective measures that will ameliorate him as an individual and as part of the free
society with which he has to live afterwards. In Tanzania emphasis is on the application of this concept of punishment in accordance with the Ujamaa ideologyo Those institutions entrusted with the responsibility of of reforming convicts (ioe. the police, the Courts and the Prisons etc) are supposed to have the theoretical grasp of reformation as well as the resources available in their practical implementation.
However, these Institutions in Tanzania and Dar es Salaam in particular, not only ~. lack both the theoretical
grasp and resources in their undertakings but they are principally not convinced that reformation is necessary if
at all crime is to be curbed. The police believe more on curbing crime through severe and long term punishments to criminals. The courts feel unconcerned about what befalls a convict after being sentencedo The Prisons lack the necessary facilities for reformation and are preoccupied by a misconceived interpretation of reformation to mean involvement of inmates in various economic ventures, most of which are economically not viable. Therefore all the three Institutions are involved in an exerc1se that serves no reformative purposes.
But reformation of criminals, if it has to curb the crime rate, then it should go beyond this failing exercise with convicts. Dealing with convicts in tackling the whole problem from a receiving end. It is dealing with the consequences of what is facing society. tThere is need therefore to tackle the problem from its root causes - the socio-economic and political relations amongst members of society.\ By harmonising these forces in society, the crime rate will fall. consider this to be the real meaningful reformation. | en_US |