Prison Life and Strategies to Decrease Recidivism - Essay Example

? Prison life and strategies to decrease recidivism Prison life and strategies to decrease recidivism Introduction The issue of recidivism is one of the most serious problems encountered by modern societies all over the world. Recidivism refers to the relapse of former prisoners into criminal conduct. Recidivism is typically measured through the return of former prisoners to prison for new offenses. Recidivism rates mirror the extent to which rehabilitative systems have been able to rehabilitate prisoners, as well as the role correctional programs play with regard to the integration of prisoners into society. In the US, the rate of recidivism is estimated to be approximately two-thirds of all released inmates (Andrews & Bonta, 1994). This means that at least two-thirds of prisoners released will ultimately be re-imprisoned within a period of three years. High recidivism rates impose immense costs with regard to public safety, as well as tax dollars utilized in arresting, prosecuting and imprisoning re-offenders. Due to these high costs, programs for inmates, as well as released prisoners, which reduce recidivism, can prove cost effective, even in the event of modest success (Perkinson, 2010). This paper will consider the US prison system, describing its aspects such as prison life, the existence and effectiveness of programs that reduce recidivism and programs aimed at reintroducing released prisoners into society. Purpose for Prisons in the US As an institution, the prison plays a critical role in the society. The US justice system bestows on prisons various roles. The first essential role is rehabilitation; prisons provide convicts with second chances to appreciate and learn from their misconducts and change. In essence, prisons help inmates reflect on their lives and search for ways through which they can coexist peacefully within the society. In addition, prisons offer inmates with learning environments in which they acquire new skills essential in enabling them earn decent livelihoods after their release (Armitage, 2002). Another critical role of prisons is deterrence and punishment aimed at discouraging inmates and others within the society from committing similar crimes. Forms of punishment vary contingent on the crimes committed, ranging from hard labor to the death penalty. Such punishment deters others in the society from committing crimes, thus ensuring peace and harmony within the society (Andrews & Bonta, 1994). Moreover, prisons provide justice to victims of crimes. Because law centers on justice and equity, victims of crimes receive justice through the incarceration of those that harmed them. The incarceration of a wrongdoer provides closure to the victim of the crime. Lastly, prisons in the US protect the public from threats to security and safety as incarceration deters criminals such as serial killers and rapists from committing crimes within the society. Current conditions in US prisons The present condition of US prisons is less than ideal. Prisoners presently live in deplorable conditions characterized by extreme overcrowding. The situation in US prisons provides a viable environment for crime to thrive within prison boundaries. Perkinson (2010) poises that the California and Texas prisons, which are the biggest in the US, have, in the last thirty years, experienced an eight fold increase in the number of prisoners incarcerated. Despite the growing number of inmates, funding for prisons has barely increased, making it difficult to meet the needs of prisoners (Armitage, 2002). Inadequate funding makes it difficult for prisons to teach prisoners effective skills to enhance their re-introduction into society. Although the US encompasses 5% of the global population, its prisons encompass 25% of the global prisoner population; this indicates the enormity of the issue. Increased congestion in US prisons is also attributable to increased levels of crime and recidivism in the US. This congestion diminishes the rehabilitative role of prisons as congestion makes it difficult for prisoners to access individualized attention from professionals such as counselors (Perkinson, 2010). Prison congestion also enhances prisoners’ interactions with prisoners from different backgrounds, which results in the development of undesirable conducts such as sexual molestation and physical conflicts. When these events occur, prison authorities are unable to detect them promptly thus remedial action does not occur on time. Another critical problem in US prisons is criminal behavior as prisoners commit crimes such as drug abuse and violent acts within prison as a result of peer influence or alliance with corrupt prison wardens. There are presently well-known drug rings within prisoners (Andrews & Bonta, 1994). Corrupt wardens provide prisoners with access to drugs in exchange for money. Programs that seek to reduce recidivism in modern prisons While most prisons have insufficient facilitates and personnel to institute robust programs to deter recidivism, some prisons have created programs to tackle this problem. These programs aim at rehabilitating prisoners to facilitate their re-introduction into society. These include educational programs that tackle the detriments of violence and drug abuse. In Alaska, the Probation Accountability with Certain Enforcement program aims at lowering recidivism among probationers by teaching them the importance of probation and the implications of breaking probation rules (Perkinson, 2010). In Texas and California, numerous programs endeavor to educate inmate the detriments of gang culture and substance abuse within the society in order to obliterate gang culture and substance abuse by demonstrating the detrimental implications of these conducts on the society. Most states have programs aimed at offering life skills to prisoners so as to enable them engage in lawful professions after prison. The programs, despite being under-funded, coach inmates on skills such as appliance repair, mechanics, IT and carpentry. This approach is effective in reducing recidivism because it allows prisoners to become self-sufficient after prison (Andrews & Bonta, 1994). Rehabilitative programs in prison The US criminal justice system provides for a number of rehabilitative programs within US prisons. These programs include the conduct of universal assessment and screening of prisoners for both substance abuse and mental illness. The incidences of mental illness and substance abuse are greater within prisons than in the general population (Byrne, Lurigio & Petersilia, 1992). The procedures of prison intake aim at identifying prisoners in need of treatment for mental illness and substance abuse. In addition, rehabilitative programs include increased availability of effective treatments for both substance abuse and mental health issues for prisoners. Although treatment for these conditions within prison has been proven to be immensely cost effective, inmate participation in such treatment has dramatically reduced in the last few years; from 25% in 1991 to approximately 10% in the year 1997. These figures are compared to the estimated 70 to 85% rise in the number of inmates believed to suffer from mental illness and substance abuse (Perkinson, 2010). Therefore, at least 40% of mentally ill prisoners are presently unable to access effective treatment. Other notable rehabilitative program is vocational and educational programs (Perkinson, 2010). These programs are provided to inmates in order to increase their competencies and skills, which will be effective after their re-introduction into society. However, the effectiveness of these programs is curtailed by immense restrictions and barriers to prisoner enrollment into the programs (Perkinson, 2010). Given the extremely low levels of vocational and educational attainments among the prison population, the necessity of vocational and educational programs is extremely high. However, availability and access to these programs is quite limited. Therefore, enhancing enrollment into these programs would substantially enhance the prisoners’ ultimate employability after release. Analysis of re-introduction to society programs, or the lack of Programs to facilitate prisoners’ re-introduction into society are mostly lacking as most prisons have insufficient re-introduction programs. However, some states have robust re-introduction to society programs. For instance, Florida prisons have a re-entry program to facilitate the re-introduction of inmates to society (Byrne, Lurigio & Petersilia, 1992). The re-entry program instituted by the Florida Department of Corrections, as well as other agencies, aims at assisting prisoners on community supervision re-enter society as productive citizens. The purpose of such programs is to reduce recidivism through the provision of training and treatment to prisoners by focusing on the assessment of needs and substance abuse, academic and vocational education. Prisoners who receive these services are more likely to re-enter society as productive and lawful citizens and less likely to recidivate to prison than inmates who do not gain access to similar programs (Andrews & Bonta, 1994). The effectiveness of re-introduction to society programs is contingent on the input of various stakeholders such as Corrections Departments and community members. Therefore, the lack of coordination between these stakeholders diminishes the outcomes of released prisoners in the society (Perkinson, 2010). The objectives of these programs include the enhancement of public safety, recidivism reduction and successful re-introduction of released inmates into the society, hence diminishing prison congestion. Approaches to protect the public upon a prisoners release States establish various approaches to reduce recidivism and enhance public protection after the release of prisoners. For instance, states coordinate with employment agencies to guarantee that released prisoners gain decent employment in order to enhance their self-sufficiency thus deter them from engaging in crime. States also initiate programs that link skills, which prisoners acquire while in prison, with opportunities for employment within the society. In addition, probation is also an effective approach to ensuring public protection after prisoners are released (Armitage, 2002). Probation aims at safeguarding the general public against released criminals through the supervision of prisoners’ conducts upon release in order to discover whether rehabilitation was effective. However, this is a rather ineffective approach because it does not focus on assisting prisoners to reform, but rather aims at protecting the public from harm. Looking into the triggers of crime recidivism is perhaps the most effective approach to tackle the issue and protect the public in the long-run (Perkinson, 2010). Another approach that states use to protect the public is holding discussions with people within the communities and developing strategies on how to integrate prisoners into society. This involves holding discussions with the leaders of communities, religious leaders, as well as NGOs in order to enhance the society’s attitude towards the released prisoners (Andrews & Bonta, 1994). This program helps prisoners to live peacefully within the society and access employment opportunities, thus discouraging their engagement in crime. Although the approach is effective in reducing recidivism, it is largely unimplemented in most states. Proposals to protect the public and ensure that a prisoner does not reoffend upon release While some of the programs presently implemented to deter recidivism are applicable, it is pertinent to implement effective programs to discourage prisoners from reoffending and guarantee the protection of the public. Viable approaches include effective rehabilitation of prisoners and teaching them sufficient skills to facilitate their economic self-sufficiency after release. However, this is only achievable if the challenge of substance abuse, congestion and immoral and criminal conduct within prisons is fully addressed (Byrne, Lurigio & Petersilia, 1992). States should offer adequate funding to prisons to enhance their rehabilitative actions and reduce congestion. In addition, there is a need for stringent laws to deter corruption and criminal conduct by both prisoners and prison wardens. Moreover, it is critical that the justice department establishes alternative punishment forms enforceable on petty offenders in order to deter their comingling with tough criminals who may influence the former to engage in serious crimes (Perkinson, 2010). After the issues of congestion and crime within prisons are tackled, prisoners will gain access to rehabilitation services such as healthcare to tackle their mental and physical needs. Prisoners will also have sufficient access to effective educational and vocational training opportunities that will allow them to be self-sufficient after prison (Andrews & Bonta, 1994). Following prisoner rehabilitation and skill impartation, it is critical to nurture a positive image in the community to ensure that released prisoners are embraced and re-incorporated into society. This will ultimately diminish the likelihood of recidivism and harm to the public. References Andrews, D., & Bonta, J. (1994). The psychology of criminal conduct. Ohio: Anderson Publishing Company. Armitage, R. (2002). Tackling anti-social behavior- What really works. London: Nacro. Byrne, J. M., Lurigio, A. J., & Petersilia, J. (1992). Smart sentencing: The emergence of intermediate sanctions. California: Sage. Perkinson, R. (2010). Texas tough: The rise of America's prison empire. London: Picador. Read More