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20 hours ago

Louden Suggs

DB1 (Module 1) Second Chances

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“Recidivism is a perennial problem plaguing the criminal justice system in the United States” (Amasa-Annang & Scutelnicu, 2016, p. 22). The Second Chance Act (U.S. Code § 17501 2008), [SCA]; “encourages collaboration of the criminal justice, public health, and social service systems to allow access to resources and opportunities to promote successful reentry” (Gideon & Sung, 2011, p. 26)

Adopted in April 2008, “with the intent of addressing the issue of recidivism nationally” (Amasa-Annang & Scutelnicu, 2016, p. 23). “When considering whether to release - prisoners back into society, the government needed to consider whether the public would be as safe after the release of the inmates as they were prior to their release” (Linebach & Kovacsiss, 2016, p. 54). As such, the SCA serves as “comprehensive legislation” focused on addressing and providing prisoner transition (i.e. rehabilitation, reentry, and reintegration) programs; to help reduce rates of recidivism while increasing public safety. As indicated in the SCA, the program activities covered include; employment assistance and job-skills training, substance abuse and mental health treatment, housing assistance, family-based support, and individual and group mentoring activities. However, “reentry services for prisoners are voluntary, with only a fraction of ex-offenders participating in such programs” (Amasa-Annang & Scutelnicu, 2016, p. 33). Which is indicative of the greater society-at-large. As demonstrated by the fact that, despite the best efforts and incentives to promote the importance and value of having a basic education; according to a general study by the National Center for Education Statistics (https://nces.ed.gov), roughly 10% (i.e. just over 32 million people), of U.S. citizens over the age of 16, do not have a high school education or its equivalent. Additionally, these studies indicate that high school dropouts commit about 75% of the nation’s crimes and make up nearly 80% of the U.S. prison population (https://nces.ed.gov).

While there are those who will blame such a travesty for a variety of reasons/causes; the truth is, in our country, having an education (basic K-12) is taken for granted. As such, while the SCA provides for numerous well designed and developed training and education programs that (ex) offenders with the tools and skills needed to be prepared for returning to society; they are only as effective as the participants. While I am in no way attempting to promote “Martinson’s (1974) “Nothing Works”” stance, as referenced by Gideon & Sung (2016); based on my own personal experience as an adult basic education [ABE], and human resources development instructor in two local correctional facilities; even the most positive and motivated student’s express feelings of frivolity and helpless/hopelessness in obtaining their general education degree [GED], or various vocational certifications.

The primary cause for these feeling is, that while “justice is blind”; most crimes and therefore those who perpetrate those crimes, come attached with their own particular stigma. There is an overwhelming belief by the court of public opinion that “a leopard does not change its spots”; and as a society, when we assess the criminal actions and behaviors of others, even those individuals who have a firm understanding of forgiveness take a stance of “once bitten twice shy”. As such, and no matter how reformed/rehabilitated an (ex) offender may be or try to become; to a great and overwhelming portion of society, they are and always will be a criminal.

Such a mindset is a clear indication that the American society needs education to help change perceptions and strengthen understanding of the rehabilitation and reintegration programs and process. As such “the public should be provided with more accurate information about correctional practices, inmates, and the actual recidivism rates” (Gideon & Sung, 2016, p. 32); and “transitional jobs programs have proven to help people with criminal records to successfully return to the workplace and to the community, and therefore can reduce recidivism” (U.S. Code § 17501 2008); and “overall findings suggest that reentry programs provided by the Second Chance legislation have resulted in a reduction of recidivism” (Amasa-Annang & Scutelnicu, 2016, p. 33). The simple fact is everyone makes mistakes, and we are all sinners saved only through the blood of Christ and the grace of God. Do people who commit crimes need to pay the price? Yes, they do. However, our prisons are filled with individuals who, if and when released, will very likely never commit another crime; and deserve a real second chance. “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” (Ephesians 1:7, NIV); “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters” (1John 3:16), “to redeem those under the law” (Galatians 4:5, NIV), “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23, NIV).

References

Amasa-Annang, J., & Scutelnicu, G. (2016). How Promising is the Second Chance Act in Reducing Recidivism among Male Ex-Offenders in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi? Journal of Public Management & Social Policy, 23(2), 22-37.

Gideon, L., & Sung, H. E. (2011). Rethinking corrections: Rehabilitation, reentry, and reintegration (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. ISBN: 9781412970198.

Linebach, J. & Kovacsiss, L. (2016). Psychology in the justice system. Scotts Valley, CA: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN: 9781530817955.

U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (2017). The Condition of Education 2017 (NCES 2017-144), Retrieved from: https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=16

U.S. Code § 17501. (2008). The Second Chance Act of 2007: Community Safety through Recidivism Prevention. Public Law 110-199. 110th Congress. Retrieved from: http://uscode.house.gov/statutes/pl/110/199.pdf

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