The moral benefit of punishment : self-determination as a goal of correctional counseling

In this provocative work, Frances E. Gill argues that self-determination (freedom of the individual to act according to choice) is a universal goal of correctional counseling. Gill leads the reader through a rigorous philosophical justification of the paternalism of state punishment in service of this goal. "In this work, Frances E. Gill argues that self-determination is a universal goal of correctional counseling. Gill leads the reader through a rigorous philosophical justification of the paternalism of state punishment in service of this goal. Then, drawing on the thought of Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Mitchell Aboulafia, and Lawrence Kohlberg, she shows that the internalization of moral values (which an offender could achieve through psychotherapy) is necessary for true self-determination. Finally, after surveying the predominant contemporary schools of psychotherapy, she shows that in spite of the differences between existing theoretical orientations, practitioners of correctional counseling consistently strive to facilitate their clients' self-determination. Gill's intelligent treatise will be a valuable reference for scholars of moral and political philosophy, clinical and correctional psychology, and criminal justice, as well as for practicing correctional counselors."-- Jaquette "In this work, Frances E. Gill argues that self-determination is a universal goal of correctional counseling. Gill leads the reader through a rigorous philosophical justification of the paternalism of state punishment in service of this goal. Then, drawing on the thought of Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Mitchell Aboulafia, and Lawrence Kohlberg, she shows that the internalization of moral values (which an offender could achieve through psychotherapy) is necessary for true self-determination. Finally, after surveying the predominant contemporary schools of psychotherapy, she shows that in spite of the differences between existing theoretical orientations, practitioners of correctional counseling consistently strive to facilitate their clients' self-determination. Gill's intelligent treatise will be a valuable reference for scholars of moral and political philosophy, clinical and correctional psychology, and criminal justice, as well as for practicing correctional counselors."--Jacket

In this provocative work, Frances E. Gill argues that self-determination is a universal goal of correctional counseling. Gill leads the reader through a rigorous philosophical justification of the paternalism of state punishment in service of this goal. Drawing on the thought of Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Mitchell Aboulafia, and Lawrence Kohlberg, Gill shows that the internalization of moral values (which an offender could achieve through psychotherapy) is necessary for true self-determination. After surveying the predominant contemporary schools of psychotherapy, she shows that—in spite of the differences among existing theoretical orientations—practitioners of correctional counseling consistently strive to facilitate their clients' self-determination. Gill's intelligent treatise will be a valuable reference for scholars of moral and political philosophy, clinical and correctional psychology, and criminal justice, as well as for practicing correctional counselors.