Research Paper- Bibliography

Criminal Justice

Prisoners and Recidivism

When a someone is arrested, jailed, and then freed, he or she will encounter a variety

of difficulties. When prisoners are released from prison, they have a tough time reintegrating

back into society. Ex-convicts are routinely turned down for employment and housing

opportunities. Housing and employment opportunities are exceedingly tough to come by,

which contributes to an increase in recidivism rates. Background checks are performed by

employers and landlords, and the results of these checks are kept on file. Ex-convicts are

unsure about where to begin when it comes to enrolling in college courses. Fortunately, there

are techniques that can assist newly released convicts in their reintegration back into their

communities(Vacca, 2004). For example, reentry programs assist those who are currently

jailed or who have recently been released from prison in reintegrating back into society. For

people who have been recently jailed, prison reintegration programs have been

implemented. Reentry programs that can aid ex-offenders in obtaining work, housing, and

other resources are a promising first step toward overcoming the difficulties they confront on

a daily basis. Another element that may have the ability to lower recidivism rates is the

assistance of the former inmate's family members. Support might also be obtained from a

psychotherapist or from a religious institution. If there is no support structure in place, the

former convict may reintegrate into his group and no longer be held accountable(Durose et

al., 2014).

Prior to the aforementioned reforms, there were no services available to assist newly

released convicts. Ex-convicts were left to fend for themselves and were frequently forced to

return to their previous life of crime in order to make ends meet. Employers who are regarded

as "felon friendly" are beginning to employ criminals from their ranks. General Mills, Family

Criminal Justice 1

Dollar, and General Electric are just a handful of the companies that are welcoming to

felons(Chen & Shapiro, 2007).

References

Chen, M. K., & Shapiro, J. M. (2007). Do harsher prison conditions reduce recidivism? A

discontinuity-based approach. American Law and Economics Review, 9(1), 1–29.

Durose, M. R., Cooper, A. D., & Snyder, H. N. (2014). Recidivism of prisoners released in 30

states in 2005: Patterns from 2005 to 2010 (Vol. 28). US Department of Justice,

Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice ….

Vacca, J. S. (2004). Educated prisoners are less likely to return to prison. Journal of

Correctional Education, 297–305.