Punishment and rehabilitation

Conclusion Despite partial amendments to criminal legislation the existing Czech criminal system is marked by its punitive character. Despite a slight change in attitudes towards punishment after 1990, the nature of penalties has not been adapted to the new goals. The punishment which fulfils the retributive, i.e. deterrent objective will not automatically become a means of re-education and rehabilitation merely because we change its objective in law. The new purpose of punishment requires changes in contents of punishment, i.e. searching for effective ways of handling offenders both outside and inside prisons. We have to renounce the idea that rehabilitation of offenders can be achieved by coercion. We have to respond to offending by imposing an adequate punishment which must be executed paying full respect to human rights and dignity. In this context, any offender must be able to exercise his or her right to request conditions and means for social reintegration (training, improvement of skills, medical treatment etcetera), if the offender is really interested in rehabilitation. We can only create conditions, we cannot reintegrate anybody by force. Rehabilitation in the Czech Republic continues to be more a good intention than a reality.     

The Direction of Violence Against Women Research and Evaluation

Although researchers have made numerous advances in the understanding of the nature, extent, and dynamics of violence against women (VAW), there is an ever-increasing need for data used in academic research and within policy decision-making to be collected via rigorous methodological designs to accurately measure the incidence and impact of VAW. What is now needed are research collaborations within an interdisciplinary research cluster that will expand understanding of the complex nature of VAW. The current article details an agenda or “call to action” to address deficiencies and advance VAW research, in addition to informing VAW intervention and prevention efforts.