Question

Television representations of corrections imply an inability of the correctional system to rehabilitate offenders by presenting what ratio of first-time offenders to habitual offenders?

Answer 1

Cases of corrections towards offenders are shown on TV could be segmented into two groups:

• First-time offenders, whose cases are of great interest for the public or have caused a great stir in society.

• Repeat offenders, who are previously exposed criminals, whose actions are recurrent and worthy of showing as a way to express the failure of the correctional system to generate a positive influence towards these individuals.

The ratio of TV expositions of repeat offenders vs first-time offenders is considerably higher. Reaching levels that could easily exceed the 3 to 1 ratio. This is the case because these cases seem to be more propense to gain attention from the public, and as a consequence, tune into the TV program.