Recidivism and Corrections

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer reviews the high recidivism rates in the United States and looks at what this says about the nations' correctional system. Specifically, the paper argues that the emphasis has too often been upon punishment and not nearly enough upon rehabilitation and re-integration. As a result, the writer maintains that a distressingly low number of inmates are receiving the therapeutic intervention they need and many more are not receiving the skills development they need, either. This must change if recidivism is to drop appreciably.

From the Paper:

"Recidivism among those exiting the United States correctional system is a serious problem for a host of reasons. For one thing, if the state has devoted billions of dollars towards cutting down crime rates by incarcerating dangerous offenders only to have those same individuals re-offend upon release, then the monies set towards housing them in institutions has been, for all intents and purposes, wasted. Furthermore, high recidivism rates (especially among violent offenders) means greater risk for the general public and that means fear, general misunderstanding, and an overwhelmingly negative public perception of the correctional system in the United States. Unfortunately, public fears about the relative inefficacy of the correctional system appear to be well-founded in America."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Eggers, Mila, Munoz, Jaime Phillip, Sciulli, John, Crist, Patricia Ann Hickerson. (2006). The community reintegration project: occupational therapy at work in a county jail. Occupational Therapy in Health Care, 20(1): 17-37.
• Trulson, C.R. (2005). In between adolescence and adulthood: recidivism outcomes of a cohort of state delinquents. Youth Violence & Juvenile Justice, 3(4): 355-387.
• United States. Government Accounting Office. (2001). Prison Releases: Trends and Information on Reintegration Programs: GAO-01-483. Washington: Government Accounting Office.
• Wexler, H.K. (2003). The promise of prison-based treatment for dually diagnosed inmates. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 25(3): 223-231.

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• Research Paper # 117771 : "Recidivism and Public Policy"

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