According to numerous researches, many offenders became arrested within some years after their release. It remains a persistent issue all other the world. Let us start by considering factors that contribute to the high rates of recidivism and solutions that can enhance the situation.
It is a well-known fact that most of the criminals come from low-income backgrounds. Doubtless, poverty, lack of access to education, limited possibilities to get a job affect their lives. Moreover, places where they are raised often create an environment where criminal behavior is the only option to exist. This is not to mention that offenders may have drug addictions and mental health problems that return them to their usual criminal lifestyle.
What is more, the process of integration back into society for criminals is very harsh because they face social stigma and discrimination. How they can survive if they have small opportunities to be hired due to their imprisonment and at the same time they became victims of prejudices. This state of things pushes them to commit crimes as they see no other alternatives.
Speaking about solutions, the public in general tend to believe that prisons are not an answer any more. Of course, it is a necessary evil if it concerns murderers. However, criminals that commit petty crimes, such as vandalism or shoplifting, should not rub their shoulders with rapists. The best way that was approved by the majority is repaying victims or a society by the suitable punishment that will not restrict people’s freedom. In that case, offenders will not be sentenced to any term and, accordingly, they will not get used to the structure of prison life.
Nevertheless, it should be accepted that society needs to change justice system as it based on punitive measures rather than on rehabilitation. Experts are convinced that providing more support and promoting policies that encourage the reintegration of ex-criminals into community can help to break the vicious cycle of re-offending.
From these arguments one can conclude that recidivism is a pivotal issue and there are some decisions to eliminate it indeed. However, I am not sure that someday prisons will be removed or there will be more soft measures to provide better maintenance and future existence for prisoners.