Do Prisoners Deserve Visits and Furloughs?

In addition to the advantages for rehabilitation, reduction of recidivism and the like, this talk takes up this issue from a retributive perspective. If prison is intended to serve a retributive purpose should the "punishment" be softened through visits or furloughs? If punishment too can be understood as having an inclusionary and dialogical dimension it provides a basis for a more nuanced understanding of the role visitation and furloughs can play. The Rebbe's teachings introduce another consideration, namely the "vertical dimension" of the relationship with G-d, which takes justice beyond purely utilitarian considerations.