Recidivism In Prisons

Combating the recidivism rate has been shown to be a daunting task for America. America has the highest population in prisons with 20% of the world’s prison population and only 5% of the world’s population (Prison Crisis, 2014). The definition of Recidivism rate is defined in Merriam Webster as “a tendency to relapse into a previous condition or mode of behavior; especially: relapse into criminal behavior”. New Bedford has the highest crime rate of all of Massachusetts with an estimated 1,200 violent crimes in just the last year making studying this city prevalent. Throughout this paper I will examine recidivism rates throughout the country, and how these effects can help and affect New Bedford in particular. We will also examine the effects

This would save taxpayers money and give the inmates experience and knowledge. Inmates overweight should be put on a lower calorie diet, which would lower food costs, and drug and alcohol groups should be offered to combat the issues within our prisons. Although it sounds good to get these people out of prison with the values they have learned they need ways to not fall back into the criminal background due to the little money they potentially have. Halfway house should be provided, drug treatments, and a reintegration program should also be offered. But little money is not the only problem, 50% of inmates have direct relatives incarcerated, and juveniles are most at large at this influence which could potentially be changed if they were looked over by private sectors or firms.

Thomas O’Brien, former research director Horizon Institute for Policy Solutions, is a writer in Charlottesville,

For example, Washington's habitual criminal statute imposes a minimum sentence of ten years imprisonment for persons convicted of a second felony, third misdemeanor, or third petit larceny. Furthermore, in the event that a person is convicted of a third felony, fifth misdemeanor, or a fifth petit larceny, the statute imposes a life sentence. Under this form, it shows laws set in place to reduce the amount and chance of recidivism by imposing the three-strike law which increases sentencing when the recidivist commits additional crimes. This was passed in California after a voter referendum had 71% of supporters. In March 2003, the Supreme Court ruled on two separate cases Ewing v. California and Lockyer v. Andrade providing for mandatory prison terms of 25 years to life for those convicted for the third time of a felony. This passed even after the court tried to overturn it calling it cruel and unusual punishment. Even with the federal government going against this ruling it shows that people do see the controversial topic of recidivism and understand how to help prevent the growing issue. Showing the concern of the average day individual and the increased time in prison to hopefully decrease recidivism among