Importance of Reducing Prison Recidivism - Research Paper Example

? IMPORTANCE OF REDUCING PRISON RECIDIVISM INTRODUCTION The world we live in is a place that teaches us how to interact with our surroundings. It notonly has a way of controlling our thoughts but also our behavior. It is not incorrect to say that this is a world of social interaction where people interact with each other in their day to day life to fulfill their basic needs. Since the beginning man has tried to arrange himself in a better way to live in a peaceful and orderly fashion. This holds true whether we consider people living in Asia, Africa or America, each area has its distinguishing characteristics that define their particular societies. In the early days these were the unwritten rules of those particular societies but all of them had a few characteristics in common like stealing, cheating, murder, embezzlement etc. were considered bad in all the societies. Today, almost all the nations have their own sets of rules that are termed as ‘laws’. Not abiding by the written or given laws is considered a deviance and termed as crime. Looking through history, we find that imprisoning was not a punishment in itself but it is a relatively new idea. Prisons were first used to keep criminals until the time of their execution. It was also used to detain debtors until they made their payments. The modern prison system was born in London in the 1860`s that prisons as known today become commonplace. Imprisoning the criminals is not the ultimate solution. They will eventually be released from prisons and will have to rehabilitate in the society. The important factor is how to re-establish them into the normal stream of the society. It is not in the nature of humans to commit crimes but they due to different circumstances are forced to commit crimes. There is no unlimited resource of confining the criminals in penitentiaries for an unlimited period and it is against the basic human rights. Therefore, correcting and rehabilitating the criminals is of the same, if not more, importance than imprisoning them. (History, 2012) This concept is evolving to make our society a better and safe place. It is of extreme importance to the government as running prisons has a great cost. If the prisoners can be managed and rehabilitated in the society smoothly, the tax payer`s money can be put to better use. Realizing the significance of this issue the government has established many state run rehabilitation and correction centers like the Florida Department of Corrections (Florida Department of Corrections, 2012). Reducing recidivism also has a direct impact on society as a whole as the criminals are a part of the society. According to a research, religious activities, religious talks, vocational talks and strong family bondages have a positive effect on reducing recidivism (Che Din). LITERARTURE RIVIEW Since the evolution of the modern criminal justice system, there has been a debate as to how to convert the law breakers into law abiding citizens. That is in effect a discussion as to how to rehabilitate them into the society. It has been argued that there is a cost of ignoring rehabilitation to the effect that there is no concrete evidence that correctional programs either decrease recidivism or generate any other optimistic gains for offenders. However, in contrast to this an argument has been raised that rehabilitation programs have remedial effect on the criminals and has helped many in settling back into the society. A survey carried out has demonstrated that the public supports a correctional system that is both punitive and rehabilitating. To conclude rehabilitation in a wider perspective is a better course to follow (Cullen, 2000). The Florida Department of Corrections (Florida DC) is the third largest state prison system in the USA. In its mission statement, it is stated that Florida DC exists to protect public safety and to provide proper care and supervision of all the offenders under its jurisdiction providing them with all the assistance to help them re-enter into the society. In this regard the DC provides several educational, vocational and substance abuse programs to those confined within the DC that equips them with all the tools to become productive citizens in society. According to their research inmates who undertake and complete these programs are more successful after they are released than those who do not complete these programs. (Florida Department of Corrections, 2012) Efficient and effective corrective systems are practically the same as successful criminal justice systems as both have the same purpose, controlling and reducing crime. The use and abuse of drugs is major cause of felony and crime. In the United States, over five million adults are being controlled by the criminal justice department either in prison, jail, probation or parole. These people under the system`s control account for about sixty percent of the cocaine and heroin consumed in USA. Empirical studies have demonstrated that drug treatment is a viable solution to help control the drug consumption and the criminal conduct of the addicts. Research has shown that criminals receiving treatment are less likely to be rearrested than those not receiving any treatment, almost a drop of 15 percent. It has also been observed that the offenders who come for treatment are more likely to complete the treatment compared to volunteers. The report prepared by Faye S. Taxman for the Office of National Drug Control Policy has presented several principles for effective systems of care and corrections. The first and the foremost thing mentioned is the congruence of goals of the criminal justice system and the treatment system. Currently both the systems have different goals and neither focuses entirely on reducing recidivism. Both the systems must define reduction in recidivism as their primary aim and should work in coordination with each other. Rewarding positive behavior towards rehabilitation is another suggested principle that will give an incentive to ex-offenders to try and rehabilitate. (Taxman, 1998) The United States Sentencing Commission in its fifteen year report has attempted to review the variation in recidivism rates based on offender characteristics. According to this report, women are less likely to be re arrested than men. Age has a significant factor in committing crimes as recidivism rates decline as age increases. Unemployment has been deemed as a major cause of recidivism. Education attainment also has an impact on recidivism as those who are educated are less likely to be arrested again. Those offenders who are unmarried are more likely to be detained again for committing crime than married people. The most significant factor in this regard is the drug usage. Drug addicts are most likely to commit crimes again and again. These are only a few characteristics observed by the research carried out and cannot be stated as the only reasons and factors for recidivism. This study has attempted to identify the relationships between these factors and recidivism. Most of the characteristics defined have a direct relationship but others have no relationship at all. (CASTILLO, 2004) The basic problem that arises here is the behavior of society. Once a person commits a crime and is incarcerated for it, he is tagged with the label of a criminal. People do not accept him/her back in the society very easily. This has a huge impact on the ex-offender and instills a feeling of separation from the rest. In order to reduce recidivism it is important for the society and specifically the family of that person to accept him/her back and help in the rehabilitation process. By the use of prison treatment programs recidivism can be reduced but not eliminated entirely. But this does not mean that we must give up all hope and give up on these corrections programs. Even if we can rehabilitate one single person, we must. It is for us to realize that it is safer for us that offenders when released from prison are in better shape and we must facilitate them to re-enter in the society. (Heroux, 2011) As per the research of Roger K. Warren, punishment alone can neither reduce recidivism nor result in a positive behavioral change. He also stated that treatment alone may not be able provide the appropriate level of punishment and may not affect the behavioral aspects of the offenders. The modern judicial systems need to re-asses their methods and should strike a balance between the two that provides the best possible outcomes for the offenders and the society as a whole. He has suggested many strategies that incorporate both the aspects of punishment and correction. He states that the government should inculcate this strategy and formulate it into law to ensure an effective and efficient justice system. (Warren, 2008) Criminal rehabilitation is being recognized as an important factor that will have a huge impact on our society among many who are forward thinking. Rehabilitation assists in reducing the number of repeat offenders who return to jail when they are unable to settle in the life outside of jail. This can also be helpful in some of the more serious and critical cases, like the sexual offenders who may continue in their ways after being released if not assisted and treated properly. Criminal rehabilitation can facilitate in solving the troublesome issue of overcrowding in most prisons. The population of criminals continues to grow, as the death penalty has been abolished, and the state would need to spend more on facilities to house criminals. (Wright, 2007) There are statistics telling us that only 35 percent of inmates are able to settle in the society successfully and do not make their way back to prison after their release. This is a serious threat and poses a major trouble and strain to the society. The government has to provide for huge sums out of the taxpayer`s money to keep tabs on these possible repeat offenders and maintaining the prison systems. Needless to say, the prospect of releasing prisoners who might become repeat offenders is a menace to social safety. Employment opportunities after a convicted felon is released from prison are another aspect that helps in reducing recidivism. Data shows that few businesses will employ individuals who have a criminal record. The government and states should provide for employment opportunities to help such individuals establish a healthy life and be able to contribute positively to the society. (Miller, 1972) ARGUMENT AND HYPOTHESIS PROPOSAL In view of the research carries out, I am of the view that correction and rehabilitation centers are of an equal importance as the prisons themselves. There are many factors that affect an individual into committing crime after he has been released from jail. Drug abuse and unemployment are two variables that have a direct correlation with recidivism. The government and other agencies are doing their best to overcome these issues and help the ex-offenders to settle in the normal life again. The behavior and attitude of the general public towards such people is also needed to be amended to help such individuals. People show rudeness and do not want them in their company. It would help these people of family and friends extend a supportive hand and assist them in re-entering the mainstream of society and rebuild their confidence in themselves. From one aspect they are offenders and deserved what they got. But we should not maintain a hostile attitude towards them when they have received their punishment. They are humans as like ourselves and should be treated the same. They did something wrong in the past but that should not be allowed to define them for the rest of their lives. The constitution and law both allow equal opportunity rights to all the citizens and the criminals are a product of the society. It is our responsibility as a whole to help others, and in the undergoing discussion, the ex offenders so that they do not return to jail. Almost all of the correction and rehabilitation centers across the country have given in their statistics that those criminals who complete the rehabilitation and treatment programs are more successful in settling back in the normal pattern of life. These programs cannot eliminate recidivism but it does reduce it. Keeping in view the positive aspects of these programs, they must be continued as long as there is hope that even one person can rectify his path and become a normal and productive citizen. REFERENCES CASTILLO, R. (2004). MEASURING RECIDIVISM:THE CRIMINAL HISTORY COMPUTATIONOF THE FEDERAL SENTENCING GUIDELINES. Washington: U.S. SENTENCING COMMISSION. Che Din, M. A. (n.d.). Reducing Recidivism. Retrieved from http://www.aspacngo.org/17th%20IFNGO/Concurent%20Workshop%202/Workshop%202%20A /Best%20Practices%20of%20Halfway%20Houses%20and%20Self- Help%20Groups%20for%20%20Former%20Drugs%20Dependents%20to%20Reduce%20Recidivis m(Md%20Shuaib%20Che%20Din).pdf Cullen, F. T. (2000). Assessing Correctional Rehabilitation : Policy,Practice, and Prospects. In F. T. Cullen, POLICIES, PROCESSES, AND DECISIONS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. Cincinnati: University of Cincinnati. Florida Department of Corrections. (2012). Retrieved May 8, 2012, from http://www.dc.state.fl.us/index.html Heroux, P. (2011, August 17). Reducing Recidivism: The Challenge of Successful Prisoner Re-Entry. Retrieved May 8, 2012, from Huff Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-heroux/reducing- recidivism-the-c_b_929510.html History. (2012). Retrieved 2012, from Prison102.tripod: http://prison102.tripod.com/history.html Miller, H. S. (1972). The Closed Door: The Effect of a Criminal Record on Employment with State and Local Public Agencies. Georgetown University, Inst.of Criminal Law and Procedure. Washington: Education Resources Information Centre. Taxman, F. S. (1998). Reducing Recidivism Through A Seamless System of Care. University of Maryland, Treatment and Criminal Justice Supervision. Washington: Office of National Drug Control Policy. Warren, R. K. (2008). Evidence-Based Practice to Reduce Recidivism: Implications for State Judiciaries. Community Corrections Division. Williamsburg: National Institute of Corrections . Wright, M. (2007, February 15). Criminal Rehabilitation - Working Towards A Better Life For Inmates And Their Families. Retrieved May 8, 2012, from EzineArticles: http://ezinearticles.com/?Criminal- Rehabilitation---Working-Towards-A-Better-Life-For-Inmates-And-Their-Families&id=455250 Read More