Annually over six hundred thousand prisoners are released from prisons back to their community and among this numbers almost over 200,000 prisoners are rearrested within a five year period. This is according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics of 2005. Generally, the Bureau of Justice statistics concluded that correctional facilities give minimal preparation and inadequate resources to prisoners that will enable them to acquire rehabilitation. This then creates a problem to those ex-prisoners at the community. These prisoners struggle to get stable jobs and this probably makes it a risk to the society since they can re-offend and sent back to the prisons. Reentry into the community is a challenge for prisoners since criminal conviction itself limits employment prospects and even social services. This becomes a major risk to the society since ex-convicts in communities have nothing to do and hence is a high possibility of ex-prisoners re-offending or engage in criminal activities (Berghuis, 2018).
A major risk of prison reentry into the community is the engagement of criminal activities if they are not able to earn a living through legitimate work. Few programs and activities at the correctional facilities that should be aimed at offering rehabilitation no longer exists or are out of functionality. The community individuals stigmatizes ex-offenders and the slightest record of a criminal record can limit employment, public housing, and social services. Most States in the United States encourage employers to limit employment for individuals who have once been arrested and have a criminal record. This then contributes to the chances of an ex-offender engaging in criminal activity. Re-establishing a connection with loved ones and the general population in the community also becomes a problem for ex-offenders. Most of them face serious stigma and face isolation that leads to depression and mental health problems. Taxpayers support failed prison systems that set ex-offenders up to fail once they are released (Berghuis, 2018).
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The problems associated with offender reentry into the community can be anticipated since the Justice Department of the United States has not done enough when it comes to rehabilitation of convicts. Resources and programs are limited that can be of help in reducing recidivism. Therefore, the community can anticipate some of the problems that are associated with offender reentry into the community. One way to reduce recidivism is to unite ex-offenders with their family members, reestablishing a connection with their family and friends can help ex-prisoners in avoiding conducting criminal activities. A report conducted by the Maryland Department of Human Resources and Women’s Prison Association Report indicated that prisoners who maintained consistent contact with their families have a lower recidivism rate than those prisoners who do not maintain contact. Therefore, these problems associated with ex-offender cannot be planned.
Correctional facilities can actively establish programs that aim to help prepare offenders for reentry into the community. Programs that will help prisoners acquire some skills that will be beneficial in their transition. Vocational skills like tailoring, plumbing and even electricians. These skills will come in handy when ex-prisoners are out of prison and are seeking employment contrary one can easily employ himself by using such skills. Younger inmates should also be taught on skills of a trade like plumbing to culinary arts. This will prepare them sufficiently for the outside life once they are released.
In order to reduce recidivism, the community can help the ex-offenders by building constructive relationships with them. These relationships are crucial in clearing away the guilty conscious of these ex-offenders. Many prisoners may have caused broken relationships with their families building constructive relationship will help in repairing the broken relationships; this will decrease their chances of re-offending and engaging in anti-social relationships. The community can help ex-offenders by finding them, mentors. These mentors can offer support, advice, friendship and practical assistance. Communities can also take the initiative of reuniting ex-convicts with their families. Repairing relationships with their friends and families. Communities can also encourage offenders who were recently released to develop their faith in religion. This can help them in their transition outside prison. Faith-based organizations can also come into play and assist ex-offenders in finding the right path that they should follow (Petersilia, 2000).
The community can also help ex-offenders in addressing crucial needs. Once confronted by challenges, ex-prisoners find it difficult in solving such problems and that is where community individuals, such as how to find food, shelter, and clothing. A clear program by the community should include on better ways of settling into life outside prison. People in the community can help ex-prisoners in planning head. Individuals need to help prisoners in making realistic plans once they are released. These plans must include how to get accommodation, food, and clothing. Individuals in the community are volunteering and providing these critical needs to them can achieve this. This can help ex-prisoners in adjusting and transitioning to the outside environment.
Individuals from the community can help ex-prisoners in avoiding trouble; this can be done by helping them in identifying friends and families in the community. This friend can help them in staying away from trouble. Finding help is also crucial in the transition. One can seek help from Psychiatrists and seek therapy to help them transition effectively (Seiter & Kadela, 2003).
In conclusion, correctional facilities focus on reducing recidivism, this should also involve other stakeholders in the community. Incarceration without rehabilitation produces a short-term reduction in crime.
References
Berghuis, M. (2018). Reentry Programs for Adult Male Offender Recidivism and Reintegration: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology , 62 (14), 4655-4676. doi:10.1177/0306624x18778448
Petersilia, J. (2000). When Prisoners Return to the Community: Political, Economic, and Social Consequences. PsycEXTRA Dataset . doi:10.1037/e375832004-001
Seiter, R. P., & Kadela, K. R. (2003). Prisoner Reentry: What Works, What Does Not, and What Is Promising. Crime & Delinquency , 49 (3), 360-388. doi:10.1177/0011128703049003002
