The study of why people commit crime and why people are so inherent on repeating crime could be studied on every level of science and government. When discussing recidivism, it has to be understood that the law or social norms have been broken already, and those offenders did in fact get caught. This sets the path to be jagged and vindictive for whatever purpose the individual feels that they must continue on breaking the law. With a statistic such as 50 percent having new violations within the first 3 years from their original offense or 55 percent having new violations within the first 5 years since, it may prove that a government-funded rehabilitation program could work. Only a 5 percent increase between the 3 to 5 year markers could prove the necessity that violators are making an attempt to stay on the right path. The age of repeat offenders also is prevalent when showing that there is a declining trend as they age, showing a 15 percent drop between those aged 24 and younger to those 40 and older. Whether this becomes a point of deaths of a criminal group or whether it is an apathy towards who the individual used to be is a whole other study, yet it does prove that as a demographic there is a decline. As we age our conscience becomes more aware of who we are. Like in psychology our brains are not fully developed until we hit age 25, so in my opinion, the key to this is starting rehabilitation programs as early as possible. Grade schoolers should also be taught statistics of this through early education, whether it be on a local level or a state-wide level. Showing the effects of crime can reveal a new side to human nature other than comics, movies, or novels. Some children may even move around the country with a family that commits crime; as stated there is a tenth percent of prisoners who have multi-state records. This not only affects the offender, but if there is a family dynamic then it is carried down. This report undeniably shows the trends of recidivism and its cultural impact on the prison systems. I believe there is a strong foothold to organize a structure for keeping the numbers down. This is where the educational and government and political parties come together to do so. - StrongArm789
I do like to see that there is a small decline between the three years someone gets out to the five years that they get out where the person repeats the crime, it does show signs that the people are taking a step to try and prevent themselves on being a repeat offender. With such a high percentage of people committing parole or probation violations they might need to find a new way to stop repeat offenders or create something new to help in the rehabilitation process. Birdman789
Cultural impact is a massive probable cause that could influence the re-incarceration of individuals. It would be great to see education improve for many individuals and it would be good to see others come together to tackle the issues that present themselves to the correctional aspect of the law. Silverado789
It is amazing to see the return prisoners just after of being out of prison or after five years of getting out, seeing that sixteen percent of the released prisoners made up about half of the crime that was recorded was astonishing to see. Though it is nice to see a decline in crime, around fifteen percent of crime rate went down from the age of twenty- four to forty or older. There are other factors that could attribute to the crime rate going down with age; one could be that as the people that are getting older that commit the crimes could be dying out, another reason could be with becoming older that the repeat offenders can’t do the crimes that they once could have done before, or they could have actually be rehabilitated and stopped committing crimes on their own free will. With all this information about crime and the statistics on repeat offenders I believe that it will be easier to try to combat trying to keep prisoners coming out of prison just to become repeat offenders and also to use the statistical data to help predict where the crimes are so that they can deter the crimes from actually happening which would lower people being incarcerated in the first place. Birdman789
I do believe that some of the older people just don't have the motivation to commit the same crimes as younger people. I know with my mom and step dad they got older and smarter and figured that a life of crime and drugs isn't the type of life that they want. They got smarter and saw how stupid they looked to family and friends who live an honest life and make honest money. ~ Caz789
Yes the decline in crimes is a good thing to know, and always a good thing to hear in today's society. I agree with Caz789 as people get older it may seem as if they are getting smarter and know better vs the younger generation. But without guidance and good role models how will they know how to change their habits and environments? Pinky012
he percentages are rather interesting at the mid twenty marks as people start to wise up and change their ways. Now not everyone will, but later on they may see that the life they have been living is for them anymore. It is good to see that the rates have been declining though! You only know what you are taught, so if no one has tried to intervene in your life, why would you stop? Palmdaddy789
This article really opened up my eyes on how likely it is for a criminal to keep going back to being incarcerated. It wasn't just one or two people out of five hundred, it was more like half of that so basically it was 250 criminal out of 500 criminals being rearrested after they get release of either prison or jail. I was actually really shocked to see how big the numbers were for a criminal going back to prison or jail after being released. I think that since they would have spent so many years there and gotten used in prison or jail that they didn't like how life outside was so they had to try to get back in. It's kind of like in the movie Shawshank Redemption when the old man who spent about forty years incarcerated had no idea what to do with his life so he just committed suicide instead of trying to figure out how the world was again. Basically if you're incarcerated for twenty plus years it's going to be very hard to get back how life was before you went into prison or jail. Anyways back to the article, those numbers were outrageous. Criminals that have already been to jail or prison and sent back for doing more unlawful acts were the bigger numbers that went back within the next five years. I never even thought about how most criminals went back after spending a good sum of their life incarcerated. ICCRunner789
After spending twenty some years locked up it is what you get used too and it eventually becomes the only thing that you know. The world changes constantly I couldn't imagine what twenty years would do. I found it interesting that many of them went back for the same thing. You think you would learn how to not get caught doing the same thing. Godzilla789
this article also opened up my eyes as well. I really liked you comparison to shawshank redemption because it does fit so well with this article. After spending a good amount of your life locked up, it basically becomes what you know. Then, after you're released you realize that life isn't like how it was in prison. this makes it very difficult to adjust to life outside of prison.
I never really knew how high the recidivism rate was. I have seen it first hand with my mom and step dad. From a young age a lot of people who go to prison end up in prison again at some point in their young life. It could possibly be due to it being hard to get a job with a felony so the criminal goes back to the things that he knows. Maybe it's because they hear about stories about how other people got away with certain things so they decide to give it a try. If you're in prison and with other people you will hear stories about other peoples crimes. Even though it isn't the best idea maybe they give it a shot anyways. I think that with the prisons wanting to focus more on rehabilitation it could possibly work out better than just putting them in a cell for years at a time. ~ Caz789
I agree that criminals just don't know how to go back to the real world after being in prison for several years. I would think that some of the criminals would realize that they did something wrong and would have learned from it after being incarcerated for several years. They just get so used to that life but I would hope that they would get motivated to comeback at life the best way possible. Sure it's hard to make a new life after prison but it is still possible.
First thing that pops into my head is people who are released from prison or jail are under a microscope more than anyone else. There is no room for error! The court system is on you and as bad as it sounds sometimes it gives them pleasure to see an ex con fail again. Going back into the real world and maybe not having support from friends or family could also come into play. I can only imagine how hard it is for some of them to start all over where most of them go right back to what their used to. For those acts to be the biggest percent of people going back stated in the article. As for age difference I feel as if the younger crowd don't have too much direction now a days. Trying to please people around them, peer pressure etc. Its hard out here for the young people vs the order ones who have been around. Overall this article was very interesting and opened my eyes to some things. Pinky012
I definitely agree with you about how people that get released are instantly looked at more punitively and under a closer eye than others. I also agree that support (or lack there of) from friends and family plays a role in the decisions prisoners make once they are released. When I read these statistics, I thought about the importance of some sort of pre-release program for offenders in order for them to be more prepared for life outside of prison once they are released. Cards789
Its not really that surprising to me to see such a high return rate on prisoners. Prison is a very tough environment and you have to adapt to stay alive. Many of those prisoners released probably found it very tough to get back on their feet. They probably found it very difficult if not impossible to find a job because many companies wont hire you if convicted of a felony. So, The only life these former prisoners were used to is the prison life. Many of those people were stripped of their dignity and morals and rights and broken down and when they got built back up they were not the same people as they used to be. Beatings everyday horrible lunches worrying about if they are going to die every time they take a shower its a very hostile environment and difficult to adjust back to normal life. Godzilla789
I agree with you on it being very difficult for them to find jobs. That is probably one of the bigger reasons why the return to prison. They need a way to support themselves and since they can find a job the go back to their old life of committing crime. It is very difficult for them to adapt from prison life to the normal life and a lot of them don't know any other type of life than the life of crime so they return the the life style they know. dragons789
Skimming these comments to do a response. Im going to have to GO GO GODZILLA! I appreciate your empathy for individuals behind bars. Man, having a felony. That is some messed up stuff. Having basic amendment rights not granted to you due to the fact you are a felon. All those job applications with 'thee question'. "Have you ever been convicted of a felony?" ugh. I would like to see more employers and opportunities for housing for felons upon release. If you don't support these people in their 'new life' they won't have a new life. They will devolve. But jokers like that guy driving recklessly around =(DUI) with his daughter on the driver side floor board. He needs to go away at least till he is detoxed/clean. Yeah he will have a scarlet letter F on his chest. Does that speak to his character and give a cautionary tale to others. Maybe. I don't know. In short, i agree with your observations. There needs to be a system to reintroduce these people back into society. Doberman789
I totally agree with you on this. You cant really expect for the prisoners to stay out of prison if we making it hard or them to live. So im thinking as a criminal right know Im going to commit a crime so i can go back to prison where i know i will get feed at,somewhere i can lay my head at , also a place i can take a shower at safe or not. shaylavon789
After viewing the various statistics involving recidivism, it is clear that recidivism is something that needs to be taken into consideration when making a decision to release a prisoner. Considering the fact that 77% of released prisoners (out of 405,000 prisoners released in 30 states between 2005-2010) were arrested within five years after their release, it is important to reduce this number in the future. Particularly, out of the 77% that were arrested within 5 years of release, 37% of those prisoners were arrested within just six months of their release and 57% within the first year. This is evidence that recidivism is more likely to occur soon after release than it is later. Keeping this in mind, I believe it is important to implement and analyze the effectiveness of a pre-release program for prisoners. This program should involve teaching prisoners various things including how to write resumes, effective work skills outside of prison, effective writing and communication skills, etc. With the implementation of a pre-release program, ideally, the number of prisoners that recidivate would decrease. Cards789
It is really interesting to see the amount of prisoners that return within five years of being released. I think them returning to prison has partly to do with the lack of help they get adjusting back to normal life. Once they are released a lot of them are on their own and receive no help so they don't know how to survive so they return to their old habits because its the only way of life that they know. Also a lot of them are unable to find jobs due to having a felony so they return back to committing crime as a way to survive and support themselves and others. I think with the amount of prisoners that return would make the prisons come up with some plan to help them when they get released. They can see that its not working to just send prisoners out with no help when they are released. So maybe it we have some more forms of rehabilitation programs for prisoners before they are released we can start to have the number of return prisoners drop. dragons789
I could not agree with you more when you made the statement how a lot of the problem is how they don't get help adjusting back to normal life. I imagine how hard it must be to be locked up for so long and then just thrown back into society. So all they do is go back to what they know, and for some its nothing but a life of crime, therefore they are just right back in square one where they started. Its honestly really sad. -dicaprio789
I completely agree with you. We can't expect inmates who have spent a good portion of their time incarcerated to be released and live a healthy life. Sometimes this does happen, but for the most part we can expect them to fall back into their old patterns. I think instituting a job corps into the jails and prisons would be a huge step towards decreasing recidivism rates. -Leilani789
This site is interesting, the amount of information that is on here is really neat. Though it did take me a while to navigate the site. Though what I did find was not really all that surprising, which was the recidivism rate for repeat offenders. After going on the jail tours during my 110 semester that was one thing the principle of the facility mentioned. The general rule of thumb is once someone has been incarcerated, within five years they will relapse and return back. When you’re locked up the outside world still goes on without you as you sit in a cell relearning “Life behind bars.” What I have observed, this is from my father’s experience behind bars is that once you commit a crime and you do get caught, you/you and your buddies do “time” and once you get out will fall back into the life incarcerated to find out that life gets harder as your rap sheet grows especially if you had a felony. What was rather interesting is that people tend to go back to their old ways. My dad for an example has always done this and recently stop because he is getting “to old” to keep committing crime and the drug lifestyle is no longer for him. One thing my pastor used to tell his old youth group back in the day was “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future,” in this situation (my dad) you would see this coming. The people who do relapse know this before they even do it, but sometimes people test the waters because reward may be greater than the risk. Locking someone up is a good thing, depending on what got them there. The idea of continuously doing it though may lead to “why is this going on” and I believe we are starting to see this being a problem. While doing this we will start working on rehabilitation programs and through these, the hope of allowing someone to think differently or find their problem and how to deal with it maybe what they need at the end of the day. Some people who are locked up are not all bad people, they just made a mistake and are currently paying for it at the moment. Palmdaddy789
contreras12 when I was reading this article i realized that when people get of jail the same people do the same crime over and over again and it depend what type of crime they did in the past and also it depend how long they stay in jail.
After reading this article recidivism is something that really needs to be taken into consideration when releasing someone from prison. The fact that 43% of inmates released from prison within a year of their release they were arrested. In 2005 23 states returned to prison 50% were parole and probation violation. I think one of the problems is inside our prison systems. Maybe there aren't a lot of programs inside the prison for the prisoners not to just go back to a life of crime. It does not shock me that most of the people who return to prison, are those who committed a violent crime. Usually those types of offenders are in a violent settings and sometimes maybe not straight mentally as well. But some people who are in prison are not bad people as well. I think its insane how someone who only got arrested for drugs, and have not completed any type of violent crime can get as much time as someone who went to prison for murder. Thats where are justice system is really screwed up and could need a lot of revising in my opinion. -dicaprio789
I completely understand why recidivism would be an issue, especially if you have been incarcerated for long periods of time. When you get out it would be hard to find a decent job that would hire an ex-convict, which would lead to making money in illegal ways such as dealing drugs or firearms as well as theft. I think the statistics are far from unbelievable, they sound right on point. I think we could be doing more to help prevent recidivism. Such as implementing programs into the jails or prisons, such as job corps. Also, having a therapist or someone specifically meant to focus on this topic could be helpful. Discussing what the person is going to do when they are released would put them at ease, as if they had a plan and weren't just wandering blindly back out into the world. -Leilani789
I like being able to physically see the statistics. It's crazy to see that so many people return to prison. It's probably because they get out with no job to return to and a life of crime waiting at home for them. In one of my first criminal justice classes I've taken I remember the professor telling the class how sometimes you can leave jail/prison being a better criminal. Because the people that you communicate to there tell you how to do a crime better or their way of not getting caught. Maybe those people in the statistics were just testing out new things that their friends recently taught them. -Ibanez789
Recidivism: probably the most interesting thing i learned in CRJ110. Albert Einstien once wrote, "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results." I apply that concept to the statistical facts on this report. The question we need to ask ourselves is why. A laundry list of possible reasons come to mind. LACK OF PROGRAMS: Was there an attempt to rehabilitate these individuals before release? Any education and training that would've provided them with skills? Skills and/or direction in order to find employment. ADDICTIONS: provide some counseling and tools to stay off the poison (drugs, Etoh, etc.). If you get thrown back out onto the street with no guidance to do something different you’re going to go back to what you know. Why, because it works and you don't have any other choice. You're going to move weight, hustle, and hang with your people for protection. I whole-heartedly believe that coming out of prison puts a person in survival mode. At risk of sounding like a broken record, you are who you hang with. If a life of crime got you into prison and you return to 'the life' after prison, you're going to go right back in, The 'clients' that were there when you went in are going to be there when you get out. You're going to be even poorer then when you went in. POVERTY: Having nothing makes you want what everyone else has. Being hungry, homeless, and not having two nickels to rub together that makes you lose your mind. Watching your kids struggle makes you desperate. That is what does it. We have to fix these things by empowering these individuals before release. CAREER CRIMINALS: On the other hand recidivism could happen because of career convicts. These people knew since day one what they were all about. They don’t mince words or actions. I've met some of these people. They don't think like you and I do. It's almost like you're having a dream and this person couldn't possibly be serious about what they did or are planning to do. Actually, skimming this piece it seems like these were full releases from prison. No parole. Is there a system in place to 'follow up' with the incarcerated after they are released? This could be an agreement upon release, and maybe lead to a reduced sentence. Unfortunately it seems like the criminal justice system is bogged down and underfunded to handle its current caseloads in parole and probation. The age thing: That's an easy correlation. When you get old you just wise up or are just get to sore to hustle! Doberman789
It would be intriguing to see a study of whether or not released inmates had some type of program or guidance in order to adjust back into society. Searching around on this site certain initiatives have been put in place, such as the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007. This states that there is an attempt to measure the gap in information when relating mental illness and the transferring of background checks, like when one applies for a firearm application. A study of this information could possibly save many of these want-to-be career criminals from freshly getting out of the prison system only to start right where they had left off. Obstructing certain aspects like this may be a new reformation of the rehabilitation process and a decrease in recidivism. - StrongArm789
I think This information is very interesting. But I only think that the crime rate drop because of the criminals has grew more mature and that they have gotten older age wise and no longer can perform the crime they did once before. Another thing is majority of the criminals are on some type of contract when they get out of prison so therefore they are doing to do good but soon as the contract up that's when they start to show there true colors. To me 16% is not a lot so when it get to 30-40% that's when I will be shocked.criminals go back so fast because prison is all they know and they can't function in the real world it's to advance for them. Society is set up for criminals to go back,it's hard form them to get a job,house,etc. That's when they go back to there old ways so they can provide for their families. We cant fault them for living.Recidivism is a good word for them. shaylavon789
I believe the count of prisoners that go back to prison just after 5 years of being out is crazy. Product in product out, if the prisoner is breaking social norms when he comes in then when he comes out he is going to continue to do the same thing. I was watching a documentary about Clyde Barrow, the famous gangster and bank robber. The documentary said he went to prison when he was in his early 20's for a none violent crimes, He came out a hardened criminal. The prison life turned him into a monster of destruction. When he came out he told several family members and friends that he would never go back to that hell hole "prison", he continued to say that the police would have to kill him before he went back to prison. That just goes to show that the prisons are not rehabilitating criminals. I know that Clyde Barrow went to prison in the 30's and the prison system has made a lot of changes but the same concept is still there. KLICK789
The recidivism rate is way to high. Almost half of those being released from prison are going back within the next three to five years is insane. There should be more rehabilitation programs or classes in prisons. These should be set in place in the last few months before the prisoner is released. This would be helpful because it would help them adjust better to life outside of prison. Also the prisons could (especially for non violent offenders) have the prisoner spend a few days outside the prison and sleep in the prison at night. then gradually add more days outside the prison to have them become more adjusted to life outside of prison.
Re-incarceration is certainly a common problem that needs to be addressed in society. The statistical probability of an individual released from prison and returning to prison within a few years is shocking. Scientific theory may explain why some people return to prison. Sociology does this subject justice with social control theory and social deviance theories. Some individuals who are undereducated and have grown up in dilapidated neighborhoods may exhibit a higher chance to return to prison compared to someone who grew up in a better situation. Overall it should be essential to look for causes and solutions to this issue. If we could keep people from being re-incarcerated, we could offer some help to them. Whether it be in job selection or assisted living. We could save money. It would also improve the living conditions of many. Whether it be the families of those individuals or themselves. Solutions are possible and should be sought. Silverado789
The study of why people commit crime and why people are so inherent on repeating crime could be studied on every level of science and government. When discussing recidivism, it has to be understood that the law or social norms have been broken already, and those offenders did in fact get caught. This sets the path to be jagged and vindictive for whatever purpose the individual feels that they must continue on breaking the law. With a statistic such as 50 percent having new violations within the first 3 years from their original offense or 55 percent having new violations within the first 5 years since, it may prove that a government-funded rehabilitation program could work. Only a 5 percent increase between the 3 to 5 year markers could prove the necessity that violators are making an attempt to stay on the right path. The age of repeat offenders also is prevalent when showing that there is a declining trend as they age, showing a 15 percent drop between those aged 24 and younger to those 40 and older. Whether this becomes a point of deaths of a criminal group or whether it is an apathy towards who the individual used to be is a whole other study, yet it does prove that as a demographic there is a decline. As we age our conscience becomes more aware of who we are. Like in psychology our brains are not fully developed until we hit age 25, so in my opinion, the key to this is starting rehabilitation programs as early as possible. Grade schoolers should also be taught statistics of this through early education, whether it be on a local level or a state-wide level. Showing the effects of crime can reveal a new side to human nature other than comics, movies, or novels. Some children may even move around the country with a family that commits crime; as stated there is a tenth percent of prisoners who have multi-state records. This not only affects the offender, but if there is a family dynamic then it is carried down. This report undeniably shows the trends of recidivism and its cultural impact on the prison systems. I believe there is a strong foothold to organize a structure for keeping the numbers down. This is where the educational and government and political parties come together to do so. - StrongArm789
ReplyDeleteI do like to see that there is a small decline between the three years someone gets out to the five years that they get out where the person repeats the crime, it does show signs that the people are taking a step to try and prevent themselves on being a repeat offender. With such a high percentage of people committing parole or probation violations they might need to find a new way to stop repeat offenders or create something new to help in the rehabilitation process. Birdman789
DeleteCultural impact is a massive probable cause that could influence the re-incarceration of individuals. It would be great to see education improve for many individuals and it would be good to see others come together to tackle the issues that present themselves to the correctional aspect of the law.
DeleteSilverado789
It is amazing to see the return prisoners just after of being out of prison or after five years of getting out, seeing that sixteen percent of the released prisoners made up about half of the crime that was recorded was astonishing to see. Though it is nice to see a decline in crime, around fifteen percent of crime rate went down from the age of twenty- four to forty or older. There are other factors that could attribute to the crime rate going down with age; one could be that as the people that are getting older that commit the crimes could be dying out, another reason could be with becoming older that the repeat offenders can’t do the crimes that they once could have done before, or they could have actually be rehabilitated and stopped committing crimes on their own free will. With all this information about crime and the statistics on repeat offenders I believe that it will be easier to try to combat trying to keep prisoners coming out of prison just to become repeat offenders and also to use the statistical data to help predict where the crimes are so that they can deter the crimes from actually happening which would lower people being incarcerated in the first place. Birdman789
ReplyDeleteI do believe that some of the older people just don't have the motivation to commit the same crimes as younger people. I know with my mom and step dad they got older and smarter and figured that a life of crime and drugs isn't the type of life that they want. They got smarter and saw how stupid they looked to family and friends who live an honest life and make honest money.
Delete~ Caz789
Yes the decline in crimes is a good thing to know, and always a good thing to hear in today's society. I agree with Caz789 as people get older it may seem as if they are getting smarter and know better vs the younger generation. But without guidance and good role models how will they know how to change their habits and environments? Pinky012
Deletehe percentages are rather interesting at the mid twenty marks as people start to wise up and change their ways. Now not everyone will, but later on they may see that the life they have been living is for them anymore. It is good to see that the rates have been declining though! You only know what you are taught, so if no one has tried to intervene in your life, why would you stop?
DeletePalmdaddy789
This article really opened up my eyes on how likely it is for a criminal to keep going back to being incarcerated. It wasn't just one or two people out of five hundred, it was more like half of that so basically it was 250 criminal out of 500 criminals being rearrested after they get release of either prison or jail. I was actually really shocked to see how big the numbers were for a criminal going back to prison or jail after being released. I think that since they would have spent so many years there and gotten used in prison or jail that they didn't like how life outside was so they had to try to get back in. It's kind of like in the movie Shawshank Redemption when the old man who spent about forty years incarcerated had no idea what to do with his life so he just committed suicide instead of trying to figure out how the world was again. Basically if you're incarcerated for twenty plus years it's going to be very hard to get back how life was before you went into prison or jail. Anyways back to the article, those numbers were outrageous. Criminals that have already been to jail or prison and sent back for doing more unlawful acts were the bigger numbers that went back within the next five years. I never even thought about how most criminals went back after spending a good sum of their life incarcerated. ICCRunner789
ReplyDeleteAfter spending twenty some years locked up it is what you get used too and it eventually becomes the only thing that you know. The world changes constantly I couldn't imagine what twenty years would do. I found it interesting that many of them went back for the same thing. You think you would learn how to not get caught doing the same thing. Godzilla789
Deletethis article also opened up my eyes as well. I really liked you comparison to shawshank redemption because it does fit so well with this article. After spending a good amount of your life locked up, it basically becomes what you know. Then, after you're released you realize that life isn't like how it was in prison. this makes it very difficult to adjust to life outside of prison.
DeleteCountryGirl789
I never really knew how high the recidivism rate was. I have seen it first hand with my mom and step dad. From a young age a lot of people who go to prison end up in prison again at some point in their young life. It could possibly be due to it being hard to get a job with a felony so the criminal goes back to the things that he knows. Maybe it's because they hear about stories about how other people got away with certain things so they decide to give it a try. If you're in prison and with other people you will hear stories about other peoples crimes. Even though it isn't the best idea maybe they give it a shot anyways. I think that with the prisons wanting to focus more on rehabilitation it could possibly work out better than just putting them in a cell for years at a time.
ReplyDelete~ Caz789
I agree that criminals just don't know how to go back to the real world after being in prison for several years. I would think that some of the criminals would realize that they did something wrong and would have learned from it after being incarcerated for several years. They just get so used to that life but I would hope that they would get motivated to comeback at life the best way possible. Sure it's hard to make a new life after prison but it is still possible.
DeleteFirst thing that pops into my head is people who are released from prison or jail are under a microscope more than anyone else. There is no room for error! The court system is on you and as bad as it sounds sometimes it gives them pleasure to see an ex con fail again. Going back into the real world and maybe not having support from friends or family could also come into play. I can only imagine how hard it is for some of them to start all over where most of them go right back to what their used to. For those acts to be the biggest percent of people going back stated in the article. As for age difference I feel as if the younger crowd don't have too much direction now a days. Trying to please people around them, peer pressure etc. Its hard out here for the young people vs the order ones who have been around. Overall this article was very interesting and opened my eyes to some things. Pinky012
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with you about how people that get released are instantly looked at more punitively and under a closer eye than others. I also agree that support (or lack there of) from friends and family plays a role in the decisions prisoners make once they are released. When I read these statistics, I thought about the importance of some sort of pre-release program for offenders in order for them to be more prepared for life outside of prison once they are released. Cards789
DeleteIts not really that surprising to me to see such a high return rate on prisoners. Prison is a very tough environment and you have to adapt to stay alive. Many of those prisoners released probably found it very tough to get back on their feet. They probably found it very difficult if not impossible to find a job because many companies wont hire you if convicted of a felony. So, The only life these former prisoners were used to is the prison life. Many of those people were stripped of their dignity and morals and rights and broken down and when they got built back up they were not the same people as they used to be. Beatings everyday horrible lunches worrying about if they are going to die every time they take a shower its a very hostile environment and difficult to adjust back to normal life. Godzilla789
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on it being very difficult for them to find jobs. That is probably one of the bigger reasons why the return to prison. They need a way to support themselves and since they can find a job the go back to their old life of committing crime. It is very difficult for them to adapt from prison life to the normal life and a lot of them don't know any other type of life than the life of crime so they return the the life style they know. dragons789
DeleteSkimming these comments to do a response. Im going to have to GO GO GODZILLA! I appreciate your empathy for individuals behind bars. Man, having a felony. That is some messed up stuff. Having basic amendment rights not granted to you due to the fact you are a felon. All those job applications with 'thee question'. "Have you ever been convicted of a felony?" ugh. I would like to see more employers and opportunities for housing for felons upon release. If you don't support these people in their 'new life' they won't have a new life. They will devolve. But jokers like that guy driving recklessly around =(DUI) with his daughter on the driver side floor board. He needs to go away at least till he is detoxed/clean. Yeah he will have a scarlet letter F on his chest. Does that speak to his character and give a cautionary tale to others. Maybe. I don't know. In short, i agree with your observations. There needs to be a system to reintroduce these people back into society. Doberman789
DeleteI totally agree with you on this. You cant really expect for the prisoners to stay out of prison if we making it hard or them to live. So im thinking as a criminal right know Im going to commit a crime so i can go back to prison where i know i will get feed at,somewhere i can lay my head at , also a place i can take a shower at safe or not.
Deleteshaylavon789
After viewing the various statistics involving recidivism, it is clear that recidivism is something that needs to be taken into consideration when making a decision to release a prisoner. Considering the fact that 77% of released prisoners (out of 405,000 prisoners released in 30 states between 2005-2010) were arrested within five years after their release, it is important to reduce this number in the future. Particularly, out of the 77% that were arrested within 5 years of release, 37% of those prisoners were arrested within just six months of their release and 57% within the first year. This is evidence that recidivism is more likely to occur soon after release than it is later. Keeping this in mind, I believe it is important to implement and analyze the effectiveness of a pre-release program for prisoners. This program should involve teaching prisoners various things including how to write resumes, effective work skills outside of prison, effective writing and communication skills, etc. With the implementation of a pre-release program, ideally, the number of prisoners that recidivate would decrease. Cards789
ReplyDeleteIt is really interesting to see the amount of prisoners that return within five years of being released. I think them returning to prison has partly to do with the lack of help they get adjusting back to normal life. Once they are released a lot of them are on their own and receive no help so they don't know how to survive so they return to their old habits because its the only way of life that they know. Also a lot of them are unable to find jobs due to having a felony so they return back to committing crime as a way to survive and support themselves and others. I think with the amount of prisoners that return would make the prisons come up with some plan to help them when they get released. They can see that its not working to just send prisoners out with no help when they are released. So maybe it we have some more forms of rehabilitation programs for prisoners before they are released we can start to have the number of return prisoners drop. dragons789
ReplyDeleteI could not agree with you more when you made the statement how a lot of the problem is how they don't get help adjusting back to normal life. I imagine how hard it must be to be locked up for so long and then just thrown back into society. So all they do is go back to what they know, and for some its nothing but a life of crime, therefore they are just right back in square one where they started. Its honestly really sad. -dicaprio789
DeleteI completely agree with you. We can't expect inmates who have spent a good portion of their time incarcerated to be released and live a healthy life. Sometimes this does happen, but for the most part we can expect them to fall back into their old patterns. I think instituting a job corps into the jails and prisons would be a huge step towards decreasing recidivism rates.
Delete-Leilani789
This site is interesting, the amount of information that is on here is really neat. Though it did take me a while to navigate the site. Though what I did find was not really all that surprising, which was the recidivism rate for repeat offenders. After going on the jail tours during my 110 semester that was one thing the principle of the facility mentioned. The general rule of thumb is once someone has been incarcerated, within five years they will relapse and return back. When you’re locked up the outside world still goes on without you as you sit in a cell relearning “Life behind bars.” What I have observed, this is from my father’s experience behind bars is that once you commit a crime and you do get caught, you/you and your buddies do “time” and once you get out will fall back into the life incarcerated to find out that life gets harder as your rap sheet grows especially if you had a felony. What was rather interesting is that people tend to go back to their old ways. My dad for an example has always done this and recently stop because he is getting “to old” to keep committing crime and the drug lifestyle is no longer for him. One thing my pastor used to tell his old youth group back in the day was “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future,” in this situation (my dad) you would see this coming. The people who do relapse know this before they even do it, but sometimes people test the waters because reward may be greater than the risk. Locking someone up is a good thing, depending on what got them there. The idea of continuously doing it though may lead to “why is this going on” and I believe we are starting to see this being a problem. While doing this we will start working on rehabilitation programs and through these, the hope of allowing someone to think differently or find their problem and how to deal with it maybe what they need at the end of the day. Some people who are locked up are not all bad people, they just made a mistake and are currently paying for it at the moment.
ReplyDeletePalmdaddy789
contreras12 when I was reading this article i realized that when people get of jail the same people do the same crime over and over again and it depend what type of crime they did in the past and also it depend how long they stay in jail.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this article recidivism is something that really needs to be taken into consideration when releasing someone from prison. The fact that 43% of inmates released from prison within a year of their release they were arrested. In 2005 23 states returned to prison 50% were parole and probation violation. I think one of the problems is inside our prison systems. Maybe there aren't a lot of programs inside the prison for the prisoners not to just go back to a life of crime. It does not shock me that most of the people who return to prison, are those who committed a violent crime. Usually those types of offenders are in a violent settings and sometimes maybe not straight mentally as well. But some people who are in prison are not bad people as well. I think its insane how someone who only got arrested for drugs, and have not completed any type of violent crime can get as much time as someone who went to prison for murder. Thats where are justice system is really screwed up and could need a lot of revising in my opinion. -dicaprio789
ReplyDeleteI completely understand why recidivism would be an issue, especially if you have been incarcerated for long periods of time. When you get out it would be hard to find a decent job that would hire an ex-convict, which would lead to making money in illegal ways such as dealing drugs or firearms as well as theft. I think the statistics are far from unbelievable, they sound right on point. I think we could be doing more to help prevent recidivism. Such as implementing programs into the jails or prisons, such as job corps. Also, having a therapist or someone specifically meant to focus on this topic could be helpful. Discussing what the person is going to do when they are released would put them at ease, as if they had a plan and weren't just wandering blindly back out into the world.
ReplyDelete-Leilani789
I like being able to physically see the statistics. It's crazy to see that so many people return to prison. It's probably because they get out with no job to return to and a life of crime waiting at home for them. In one of my first criminal justice classes I've taken I remember the professor telling the class how sometimes you can leave jail/prison being a better criminal. Because the people that you communicate to there tell you how to do a crime better or their way of not getting caught. Maybe those people in the statistics were just testing out new things that their friends recently taught them.
ReplyDelete-Ibanez789
Recidivism: probably the most interesting thing i learned in CRJ110. Albert Einstien once wrote, "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results." I apply that concept to the statistical facts on this report. The question we need to ask ourselves is why. A laundry list of possible reasons come to mind. LACK OF PROGRAMS: Was there an attempt to rehabilitate these individuals before release? Any education and training that would've provided them with skills? Skills and/or direction in order to find employment. ADDICTIONS: provide some counseling and tools to stay off the poison (drugs, Etoh, etc.). If you get thrown back out onto the street with no guidance to do something different you’re going to go back to what you know. Why, because it works and you don't have any other choice. You're going to move weight, hustle, and hang with your people for protection. I whole-heartedly believe that coming out of prison puts a person in survival mode. At risk of sounding like a broken record, you are who you hang with. If a life of crime got you into prison and you return to 'the life' after prison, you're going to go right back in, The 'clients' that were there when you went in are going to be there when you get out. You're going to be even poorer then when you went in. POVERTY: Having nothing makes you want what everyone else has. Being hungry, homeless, and not having two nickels to rub together that makes you lose your mind. Watching your kids struggle makes you desperate. That is what does it. We have to fix these things by empowering these individuals before release. CAREER CRIMINALS: On the other hand recidivism could happen because of career convicts. These people knew since day one what they were all about. They don’t mince words or actions. I've met some of these people. They don't think like you and I do. It's almost like you're having a dream and this person couldn't possibly be serious about what they did or are planning to do. Actually, skimming this piece it seems like these were full releases from prison. No parole. Is there a system in place to 'follow up' with the incarcerated after they are released? This could be an agreement upon release, and maybe lead to a reduced sentence. Unfortunately it seems like the criminal justice system is bogged down and underfunded to handle its current caseloads in parole and probation. The age thing: That's an easy correlation. When you get old you just wise up or are just get to sore to hustle! Doberman789
ReplyDeleteThe below was meant as a reply to this post. - StrongArm789
DeleteIt would be intriguing to see a study of whether or not released inmates had some type of program or guidance in order to adjust back into society. Searching around on this site certain initiatives have been put in place, such as the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007. This states that there is an attempt to measure the gap in information when relating mental illness and the transferring of background checks, like when one applies for a firearm application. A study of this information could possibly save many of these want-to-be career criminals from freshly getting out of the prison system only to start right where they had left off. Obstructing certain aspects like this may be a new reformation of the rehabilitation process and a decrease in recidivism. - StrongArm789
ReplyDeleteI think This information is very interesting. But I only think that the crime rate drop because of the criminals has grew more mature and that they have gotten older age wise and no longer can perform the crime they did once before. Another thing is majority of the criminals are on some type of contract when they get out of prison so therefore they are doing to do good but soon as the contract up that's when they start to show there true colors. To me 16% is not a lot so when it get to 30-40% that's when I will be shocked.criminals go back so fast because prison is all they know and they can't function in the real world it's to advance for them. Society is set up for criminals to go back,it's hard form them to get a job,house,etc. That's when they go back to there old ways so they can provide for their families. We cant fault them for living.Recidivism is a good word for them. shaylavon789
ReplyDeleteI believe the count of prisoners that go back to prison just after 5 years of being out is crazy. Product in product out, if the prisoner is breaking social norms when he comes in then when he comes out he is going to continue to do the same thing. I was watching a documentary about Clyde Barrow, the famous gangster and bank robber. The documentary said he went to prison when he was in his early 20's for a none violent crimes, He came out a hardened criminal. The prison life turned him into a monster of destruction. When he came out he told several family members and friends that he would never go back to that hell hole "prison", he continued to say that the police would have to kill him before he went back to prison. That just goes to show that the prisons are not rehabilitating criminals. I know that Clyde Barrow went to prison in the 30's and the prison system has made a lot of changes but the same concept is still there.
ReplyDeleteKLICK789
The recidivism rate is way to high. Almost half of those being released from prison are going back within the next three to five years is insane. There should be more rehabilitation programs or classes in prisons. These should be set in place in the last few months before the prisoner is released. This would be helpful because it would help them adjust better to life outside of prison. Also the prisons could (especially for non violent offenders) have the prisoner spend a few days outside the prison and sleep in the prison at night. then gradually add more days outside the prison to have them become more adjusted to life outside of prison.
ReplyDeleteCountryGirl789
Re-incarceration is certainly a common problem that needs to be addressed in society. The statistical probability of an individual released from prison and returning to prison within a few years is shocking. Scientific theory may explain why some people return to prison. Sociology does this subject justice with social control theory and social deviance theories. Some individuals who are undereducated and have grown up in dilapidated neighborhoods may exhibit a higher chance to return to prison compared to someone who grew up in a better situation. Overall it should be essential to look for causes and solutions to this issue. If we could keep people from being re-incarcerated, we could offer some help to them. Whether it be in job selection or assisted living. We could save money. It would also improve the living conditions of many. Whether it be the families of those individuals or themselves. Solutions are possible and should be sought.
ReplyDeleteSilverado789