Incarceration rates in the United States have been on the rise since the 1970s, expanding America’s prison population into uncharted territory. Never before in the history of our nation have so many men and women been within the walls of our penal institutions. Further, after inmates are released the likelihood they will recidivate is significant. While it is not the goal of this piece to examine why the prison population has expanded so drastically, a discussion is in order as to whether or not certain social factors can mitigate the likelihood of recidivism. In a study conducted by Stephen J. Tripodi from the University of Texas at Austin, the effect of two major social factors on recidivism rates were examined: employment and marriage.
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Tripodi sees the period from which inmates are released to when they desist from crime or otherwise recidivate as a transitional period, one in which inmates often fail and end up back in prison (Tripodi). In fact, in a study conducted by the Bureau of Justice that sought to examine the recidivism rate among a sample of 300,000 prisoners it was found that within three years of release twenty-five percent of this sample overall were re-sentenced to prison for committing a new criminal offense (Tripodi). In light of this information, Tripodi sought to study whether or not a released inmate with certain social bonds (specifically employment and marriage) was less likely to recidivate than an inmate that did not have such business and personal relationships. The life-course theory of criminology suggests that these social bonds do indeed reduce recidivism, and as a proponent of the theory Tripodi utilized it to provide the basis for his study. More specifically, the life-course theory postulates that “bonding with families, work, and communities reduces criminal behavior over the life-course regardless of delinquent and antisocial backgrounds” (Tripodi). In …show more content…
Recidivism was “defined by months between release from prison and re-incarceration” (Tripodi). “Forty-three percent of the sample was African American, 32 percent Caucasian, and 24 percent Hispanic. The offenders’ average age when released from prison was 36 years” (Tripodi). Tripodi ultimately found that “the contribution of the elements of life-course theory or time until re-incarceration was supported” (Tripodi). The results of Tripodi’s study thus conclude that social bonds and attachments do indeed have a correlation with the reduction of recidivism rates. Specifically, Tripodi found that the “influence of marriage appears strong… the recidivism hazard was reduced by 34.1 percent” and “the recidivism hazard for employed offenders was reduced by 68.5 percent” (Tripodi). Although, it should be noted that with respect to marriage Tripodi does concede that there may have been a statistical error since there were very few married inmates that recidiviated. Overall though, the data strongly suggests life-course theory is applicable to the general rate of recidivism. Accordingly, legislators should take steps to implement policy that takes note of this principle and utilizes it in the most effective manner
Tripodi sees the period from which inmates are released to when they desist from crime or otherwise recidivate as a transitional period, one in which inmates often fail and end up back in prison (Tripodi). In fact, in a study conducted by the Bureau of Justice that sought to examine the recidivism rate among a sample of 300,000 prisoners it was found that within three years of release twenty-five percent of this sample overall were re-sentenced to prison for committing a new criminal offense (Tripodi). In light of this information, Tripodi sought to study whether or not a released inmate with certain social bonds (specifically employment and marriage) was less likely to recidivate than an inmate that did not have such business and personal relationships. The life-course theory of criminology suggests that these social bonds do indeed reduce recidivism, and as a proponent of the theory Tripodi utilized it to provide the basis for his study. More specifically, the life-course theory postulates that “bonding with families, work, and communities reduces criminal behavior over the life-course regardless of delinquent and antisocial backgrounds” (Tripodi). In …show more content…
Recidivism was “defined by months between release from prison and re-incarceration” (Tripodi). “Forty-three percent of the sample was African American, 32 percent Caucasian, and 24 percent Hispanic. The offenders’ average age when released from prison was 36 years” (Tripodi). Tripodi ultimately found that “the contribution of the elements of life-course theory or time until re-incarceration was supported” (Tripodi). The results of Tripodi’s study thus conclude that social bonds and attachments do indeed have a correlation with the reduction of recidivism rates. Specifically, Tripodi found that the “influence of marriage appears strong… the recidivism hazard was reduced by 34.1 percent” and “the recidivism hazard for employed offenders was reduced by 68.5 percent” (Tripodi). Although, it should be noted that with respect to marriage Tripodi does concede that there may have been a statistical error since there were very few married inmates that recidiviated. Overall though, the data strongly suggests life-course theory is applicable to the general rate of recidivism. Accordingly, legislators should take steps to implement policy that takes note of this principle and utilizes it in the most effective manner