Recidivism in the United States

Recidivism Rate in The United States

In the United States, crime is a problem that will not easily be solved. I believe that one of the most significant problems relating to crime is the number of inmates that are committing crimes after release and are incarcerated again, known as recidivism. Why is this happening and what can be done to further prevent it?

There are a number of hypotheses on why offenders often commit crimes multiple times, even after punishment. Some of these include the need for improvement of educational and vocational programs for inmates, the lack of parole officers, continuing social problems, understaffing in private prisons, the desire for profit in private prisons rather than rehabilitating its inmates, and high prison staff turnover (Crime).

According to The Urban Institute, one in three state prisoners are there due to a parole violation. This results in a 652 percent increase since 1980. This could be because the Department of Correctional Services only allocates five percent of its funding to rehabilitation services to prisoners according to the 2002/03 budget (Leggett).

I believe that in order to rehabilitate prisoners and deter future offenses, a stronger concentration and commitment by the Department of Correctional Services to rehabilitative services needs to be established. We, as a society, should take responsibility for its citizens. Although they have made mistakes, these criminals are victims of societal negligence and should be given the opportunity of rehabilitation, gainful employment, and the chance of normal lives.

Works Cited

Crime.org Home Page. 31 Aug. 2005 .

Leggett, Tony, et al. "Criminal Justice in Review: 2001/2002." 31 Aug. 2005 .

The Urban Institute. "7-Fold Jump in Parolees Sent Back to Prison Since 1980." The Urban Institute Home Page. 05 Nov. 2002. 31 Aug. 2005 .