In the United States, rehabilitation ought to be used instead of punishment.

I am going to start by addressing his observation about US incarceration rates. First of all, PLEASE provide sources for your statistics. Until you do, those numbers are meaningless husks of cyber-garbage. Even so, I will assume that you take these numbers from reliable sources. "Sickeningly, more than 1 American adult were kept in jail during the start of 2008. " Um, yes, I agree. There was more than one American adult in jail during the start of 2008. OK, so you point out that the US has a higher incarceration rate. Why? Because we have a higher crime rate. Why? Because typically, Americans commit more crimes than your average Chinese man. Its just a fact. It is, quite unfortunately, becoming part of our culture. Now, given this high number of criminals, you are suggesting that we let them roam free unpunished? That would actually INCREASE crime rates. Would you be more likely to commit a crime if you thought that the government would try to "rehabilitate" you afterwards, or if you knew that you would be punished for your unjust actions? Which seems a better deterrent? "Studies show 'More than 60-75% of all prisoners now released from state prisons are REARERESTED within two years. '" Really, and which studies would those be? "There are a number of explanations for this to happen. -When they leave prison, they have no more life skills than they had before being incarcerated. -the experience in prison reinforces criminal behavior. -There are just too many obstacles and hindrances stopping people from returning to society. (It is hard to live a crime-free life after being influenced by people in prison) -"Once a criminal, always a criminal. " Hmm, lets think about life skills for a second. Is not stealing a life skill? Is not organizing dog fights a life skill? Now let me ask you this: Are you more likely to commit these crimes again if you know what happens if you do? Absolutely, punishment teaches great life skills. "experience reinforces criminal behavior" Again, are you more likely to commit another crime of you know what happens if you do? Not serving more time seems a very good incentive to me. "There are just too many obstacles and hindrances stopping people from returning to society. (It is hard to live a crime-free life after being influenced by people in prison)" Like? Examples please. "Once a criminal, always a criminal. " OK, so I just stole an ipod. I get busted. I get sent to jail for a year. Now when I look into the Mac store, and I look onlgfully at the ipods, am I more or less likely to take it after my experience in prison. If anything, my experiences in it should reinforce the longing to not go back in there. In my opponent's closing statement, he says that we need to offer criminals another chance. How are we not doing this? If I steal, I do my time, and I get released. Do I not have another chance? He also says that there ought to be SOME punishment, such as for people who commit murder. Oh, so SOME crimes deserve punishment? You are contradicting everything that you have built your case up to be. By admitting that we need punishment, my opponent has just conceded the debate. Look to the resolution. Under the affirmative, there can be no punishment. By admitting that we need it, my opponent effectively concedes his position. Due to both mine and my opponent's consent that punishment is necessary, please look to a negative ballot. Thank you.