Charles Wampler

Charles Wampler is a prisoner at the Chillicothe Correctional Institute in Ohio. In the following viewpoint, Wampler contends that prisons should rehabilitate inmates by offering mandatory self-improvement classes, education, counseling, and vocational training for prisoners. He argues that requiring self-improvement classes benefits both the prisoner and society because, once released, these prisoners are more likely to find jobs and are less likely to commit crimes and return to prison. Wampler asserts that society and inmates would be better off if inmates served a shorter sentence with required education and counseling goals than a longer sentence with no education or counseling.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What are the two main types of crime, according to Wampler?
2. In the author’s opinion, what is the problem with the self-improvement programs offered in most prisons?
3. What should...