After reading Chapter 6 of the Mosher textbook, discuss how the process of
measuring recidivism can impact the evaluation effectiveness of corrections
policies.
After reading the article "The Revolving Door at the Prison Gate" by Padfield and
Maruna, discuss any areas of research bias and any observed areas of less
substantive research. Where did you find these elements. What were they?
Measuring recidivism is essential when dealing specifically with corrections. To determine how
effective correctional practices and criminal justice policies are, criminologists, legislators, and
criminal justice practitioners rely heavily on the measuring of recidivism or revocation of parole
or probation (Mosher, 2011). The overall picture can be understood by tracking data derived
from reincarceration or criminal activity (Mosher, 2011). This data requires accuracy. A proper
measure can provide an accurate picture of success, effectiveness, or even failure. If this depiction
is skewed or the data is incomplete, it can lead policymakers astray (Mosher et al., 2011).
Moreover, the concept of recidivism can mean different things to different people. That will
cause problems when it applies to those who are in charge and making corrections to policies.
“Reconviction and reincarceration is used to measure recidivism, and there needs to be a
dictation between felony and misdemeanor offenses” (Mosher, 2011). Therefore, policies
categorize crime to apply specifically to the offense. A misdemeanor would be as severe are
committing murder, and stealing from a store wouldn’t have the same consequences as selling
illegal drugs to minors.
In the article "The Revolving Door at the Prison Gate" by Padfield and Maruna, there were
significant research bias areas that were also less substantive to the research provided. First, one
disturbing feature discovered was that in proving the failure claim, the data mainly focused on California
(Padfield & Maruna, 2006). Even though the article indicated that other data was easily available, no
investigation was conducted to examine all of the other data across the country. Another issue raised was
that an exceedingly imprecise and empty description was provided to describe the last 25 years of a high
imprisonment rate (Padfield & Maruna, 2006). In this article, the only grounds to blame were higher
imprisonment rates. There was no other explanation provided. No data or information to explain the
national-level outbreak of overcrowded prisons or the increased incarceration rates. They took the data
from California and used it to represent the United States as a whole and used it to compare the U.S. to
other countries. The article included substantial research on bias concerns that were also less
meaningful to the study offered. Individuals have different ways of defining recidivism. In some
people’s eyes, a violation holds a different weight to their moral customs and cultural beliefs,
while some might miss the offense altogether. According to Mosher, service-oriented officers
may tend to disregard minor violations to keep from sending an offender back to prison. In
contrast, officers oriented in law enforcement would send those offenders back to prison
(Mosher, 2011). Therefore, when an officer disregards a minor violation, they have to be careful
not to impose self-bias in their operations. However, if recidivism is measured and applied
appropriately, it benefits the data to be used effectively to correct a policy. If it is not accurate,
the corrections to the policies suffer negative consequences, which is affecting the community
(Mosher, 2011).
According to Bible, recidivism is likely human nature to repeat their behaviors if they experience
the trauma as a child. Similarly, evil cannot comprehend judgment that they cannot truly see
what is right or wrong in moral and other matters. "Evil men do not understand justice, but those
who seek the Lord understand it completely" – Proverbs 28:5.
Reference
Bachman, R. D., & Schutt, R. K. (2013). chapter 9,10. In The practice of research in
Criminology and Criminal Justice. essay, Sage.
Holy bible. (2011). Zondervan.
Mosher, C. J., Miethe, T. D., & Hart, T. C. (2011). Chapter 6. In The Mismeasure of Crime.
essay, SAGE.
Padfield, N., & Maruna, S. (2006). The revolving door at the prison gate. Criminology &
Criminal Justice, 6(3), 329–352. https://doi.org/10.1177/1748895806065534
Hello Monique,
Thank you for your thoughts about the processing of measuring recidivism which can impact the
evaluation effectiveness of corrections policies. I totally agree that it is difficult to measure the
recidivism, and the problems with measuring recidivism include what is being measured and for
how long. Study to study vary in the measurement of variables. Some measure probation, parole,
rearrest, reconviction, and reincarceration or some combination thereof. They also measure time
periods covering months to years after initial release. Because of such variation in recidivism
measurements, it is difficult to get an accurate read on recidivism. Thus, measuring recidivism is
extremely important when dealing specifically with corrections. Data derived from individuals
being reincarcerated or committing crimes should be tracked so that the overall picture can be
understood (Mosher, 2011). Accuracy comes to mind when dealing with this data. Any proper
measure helps depict success, effectiveness, or even failure at times. If this depiction is skewed
or the data is inadequate, it can lead policymakers astray. According to Christians viewpoints,
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the
division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions
of the heart” – Hebrews 4:12. Social issues must be backed up by plenty of research before they
can be taken seriously and affect issues of public policy.
Reference
Holy bible. (2011). Zondervan.
Mosher, C. J., Miethe, T. D., & Hart, T. C. (2011). Chapter 6. In The Mismeasure of Crime.
essay, SAGE.
Padfield, N., & Maruna, S. (2006). The revolving door at the prison gate. Criminology &
Criminal Justice, 6(3), 329–352. https://doi.org/10.1177/1748895806065534
Hello Grant,
Thank you for your post about recidivism. I agree that the process of measuring recidivism can
impact the evaluation effectiveness of corrections policies. One of the reasons why the process of
measuring recidivism impacts evaluation effectiveness is that most criminal justice policies need
to be based on statistical evidence. Performance measurement establishing metrics for success
and assessing results is a crucial first step in making informed decisions in all areas of
government, including criminal justice policy. If recidivism rates rise after a certain policy or
program is implemented, then that policy or program is deemed ineffective from a criminal
justice standpoint which the goal of criminal justice policy is to reduce recidivism. On the other
hand, implementing policies and programs that are designed to reduce recidivism specifically
need to be measured for their effectiveness, and the best measure of their effectiveness is not
subjective or qualitative reports but the actual numbers. However, measuring recidivism is not
that easy because the concept of recidivism can mean different things to different people that it
will cause problems since applying to those who are in charge and making corrections to
policies. According to Bible, it predates the widespread use of statistical data and analyses but
offers criminal justice researchers and policymakers’ insight into how to act ethically. When
working from Biblical perspective, the policymakers need to remain humble, open to new ideas,
and willing to accept that their policy might not work. “Do not use dishonest standards when
measuring length, weight or quantity. Use honest scales and honest weights, an honest ephah and
an honest hin. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt” – Leviticus 19:35-36.
Reference
Bachman, R. D., & Schutt, R. K. (2013). chapter 9,10. In The practice of research in
Criminology and Criminal Justice. essay, Sage.
Holy bible. (2011). Zondervan.
Mosher, C. J., Miethe, T. D., & Hart, T. C. (2011). Chapter 6. In The Mismeasure of Crime.
essay, SAGE.
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