Majority of criminals arraigned in court and those who have served their sentences for their crimes are expected to have a change in behavior once their punishments is completed. However, it is common to find some of these criminals engaging in other offences soon after they are released from prison. The rates of recidivism, therefore, have continued to rise and concerns over reasons pushing the criminals to engage in unwanted behavior developed. The following is a research into the rates of recidivism, factors contributing to the higher cases of reoffending by criminals and possible recommendations that can aid to curb the issue.
Factors resulting to rise in Recidivism
False labelling and false witnesses
It is evident that not all the imprisoned individuals had committed crime activities, and there is a chance of false labelling and witnesses. However, if the prisoners are labelled as criminals, it becomes obvious that the society will be skeptical about the person once they are released from prison. According to Theguardian.com (2019), the perception of the community towards the released party thus influences their social and behavioral interactions, which fosters the breeding grounds for criminal activities. Labelled criminals are also stigmatized by the government and other community engagements based on their past, which has a negative impact towards their behavior and hence increasing the rates of recidivism.
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Overcrowding and lack of classification in Correctional Facilities
Majority of the correctional facilities do not segregate the inmates based on their age, type of crime and their cases of recidivism. In this regard, it is palpable that prisoners with minor offences get to interact with other inmates with serious crimes, hence sharing experiences with them. According to Moore (2019), the inmates share ideas on how to escape from prisons and laws after committing crime activities, which is a factor that has increased cases of recidivism. Furthermore, overcrowding is another issue pertinent to increasing the reoffending rates. Overcrowded facilities are difficult to handle and maintain, which is a reason that increases the association of the inmates and thus enhancing the collaboration with the outside criminals. This further raises the cases of recidivism as the prisoners are linked with other criminals outside the prison.
Peer Pressure
Peer pressure, particularly among the Youth, is an integral factor that raises the reoffending rates. Initial involvement in criminal activities is perpetuated by many factors inclusive of substance abuse like cigarette, cannabis, and alcohol, among others. However, the abuse of such substances coupled with peer pressure from delinquent friends are attributed to the increased recidivism among the youth. Brandon (2019) noted that over 60% of the cases of recidivism among the teenagers are propagated by peer pressure and lack of self-control. Friends with ulterior motives, criminal environments and influence of substances, therefore, have an influence on the rising reoffending rates.
Reintegration of the inmates when they are released
Once inmates are released from prison, most of the correctional facilities do not bother to evaluate how well they will integrate with the society and their families. According to Theguardian.com (2019), the prisoners may face challenges in reconciling with their families or the society after their rehabilitation process in the prisons, which can inhibit leading of proper lifestyles outside the correctional facility. As a result, reuniting with old criminal groups and behaviors becomes the easiest approach for the released inmates as a way of reintegrating with the community. This is one of the factors that has thus enhanced the rate at which recidivism cases are reported.
Short imprisonment
The short imprisonment of prisoners who have engaged in petty crimes such as theft is one of the factors that contribute to increased cases of reoffending criminals. The approach, as argued by The Economist. (2019), has the minimum capacity to deter recidivism since behavioral change therapies cannot be properly administered to the prisoners over the short imprisonment. As a result, the intended goals of any rehabilitation program offered by the correctional facility cannot be achieved, which means that the chances of the released prisoners to engaging in criminal activities is high. The short imprisonment of these criminals is thus considered as a breeding place for the individuals to enhance their crime activities because they learn new delinquency techniques from other prisoners, rather than having their behaviors modified by the rehabilitation practice.
Potential Solutions to reducing Reoffending rates
Assessment of the Risks and Needs of the Inmates
Offenders should undergo a risk assessment to determine the chances of their reoffending after they are released from prison. By undertaking such an examination, the correctional facilities will have information on whether the individual behaviors would be changed with further rehabilitation. After the risk assessment, the facilities should propagate strategies and expend resources to assist the inmates in meeting their needs soon after their release. This will help to reduce chances of these individuals from reconnecting with their criminal gangs and hence reducing the recidivism rates.
Positive Reinforcement
Psychological proof indicates that positive reinforcement on improved behaviors is an approach that is essential to propagating change in individuals. According to correctionsone.com (2019), Correctional facilities should develop strategies that are aimed at improving reinforcement of behaviors for inmates and rewarding them if they meet the set goals. When the behavior of inmates takes a positive turn, the correctional facilities should offer rewards as a reinforcement towards such outcomes. This will escalate the rate of behavior change and can thus reduce cases of recidivism.
Continued support after release from Prison
Prisoners, especially those who have had long-term imprisonment, after being released, may face various challenges with the society. Due to their criminal record, the community can be skeptical about offering them job opportunities and associating with the reformed individuals. As a result, the released prisoners may succumb to pressure and stress and hence consider drugs as their point of consolation, which may trigger their criminal practices. Therefore, correctional facilities should develop plans to follow up on what the released individuals are doing after their confinement is withdrawn.
Conclusion
The reoffending rates emanating from criminals who have undergone the rehabilitation process are increasing due to a number of factors. Cases of peer pressure, overcrowding, lack of classification in the cells, short imprisonment and issues with reintegration with the society, among others, are some of the noted cases escalating the cases of recidivism. However, the potential approaches to mitigate the issue is to increase positive reinforcement, assess the risk of the inmates getting back to criminal ways and determine possible ways to meet their needs. Engaging in these practices will be essential to eliminating the risk of recidivism and thus improving the overall outcomes of rehabilitative services offered by the correctional facilities.
References
Correctionsone.com (2019). 6 evidence-based practices proven to lower recidivism. Retrieved from https://www.correctionsone.com/re-entry-and-recidivism/articles/2030030-6-evidence-based-practices-proven-to-lower-recidivism/
Brandon W. M., (2019). The surprising reason our correctional system doesn't work | TEDxMileHigh. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmvrBGmu9k4&t=316s
Theguardian.com (2019). To prevent reoffending, how about giving former prisoners support? |Julie Edwards. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul/21/to-prevent-reoffending-how-about-giving-former-prisoners-support
Moore M., (2019). Norwegian Prison. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IepJqxRCZY .
The Economist. (2019). Can Norway help US break the reoffending cycle? Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBUSzXvMWCk
