Recidivism In The Correctional System

The correctional system suffers from a higher recidivism rate for multiple reasons. The main reason for the high recidivism rates is that thereare few re-entry services provided to each person after they are released fromprison or on parole. Communities need to focus on factors such as the risk ofbeing homeless, mental health services, substance abuse programs, health carecoverage, educational support, and family services. Most re-entry programs donot have the money to focus on all of these factors before releasing offendersback into the community. Another reason why it is so difficult for offenders tore-enter society after being in prison is their inability to become employed.An offender could do everything the judicial system asks of him/her, …show more content…
Societal factors such as the negative stigma of being a convicted felon resulting in limited opportunities. Society tends to automatically judge a once convicted offender, despite their attempts and efforts of reforming. Changing the negative views of the once convicted offenders could help reduce the rate of recidivism by allowing the offender to once again be accepted into society. No longer would the negative stigma of being a convicted fellow limit their ability to function as a law abiding citizen. More opportunities would be given to them if society were more accepting to the offender once released from prison. Having a good support system would also help lower recidivism for the offender to reframe from their past criminal …show more content…
As a means of survival in prison the offender had to adapt to prison life. Once released from prison those adapted ways of living is difficult to overcome. In prison the offender is not given any sense of responsibility. The offender was told what to do and when to do it. Once released from prison it is difficult for the offender to become a productive citizen because they have no sense of responsibility, therefore their decision making for themselves is disrupted. As a suggestion upon release offenders should be given more responsibility. For instance, like the prison in Norway (which has low recidivism rates), inmates were given responsibility giving them a sense of purpose and dignity. Not suggesting that America should adapt a prison like the Norway prison, but the factor of responsibility is important for successful re-entry. Possibly allowing offenders to move to a low security prison-upon release- would enable them to grow a sense of responsibility and help them successfully re-enter into society.

In conclusion, solving the factors that contribute to recidivism would ultimately help with re-entry for the offender. Some the factors that should be resolved include lowering the social stigma of a once convicted felon, the limited resources, and de-prisonization. Successful re-entry is difficult but with the help and support from society it could be possible