According to some latest scientific evidence, a high recidivism rate has existed all over the globe as many ex-offenders are sent back to prisons. In this essay, I will evaluate focal causes sparking this perilous pattern before proposing several potential solutions to diminish its severity.
The primary reason responsible for the tendency of being re-incarcerated of inmates is the lack of rehabilitation. Specifically, the focus of many prisons across the world is on punishment, merely acting as tools of confinement rather than reintegration. Thus, without any means of correction, inmates are left, being ill-equipped to re-enter society, even harsher for those with mental illnesses and untreated addition. One prime example for this alarming trend is in the studies conducted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, showing that over 68% of ex-prisoners are re-arrested within three years of release.
To address recidivism, a paradigm shift in prison system is paramount. Instead of purely serving as punitive institutions, prisons can realize some programs in order to become centers for genuine rehabilitation. These programs should be multi-pronged, attempting to equip individuals with essential marketable skills, intervention for different mental health and psychological problems, and provide support for ex-convicts in the first few months after release. For instance, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can offer supportive tools, helping these people alter negative thinking patterns leading to criminal activity, and recognize their associations with substance abuse and further avoid relapse.
In conclusion, recidivism is a formidable and detrimental societal challenge, fundamentally stemming from an ill-considered approach to correct offenders’ perceptions and behaviors. Although eradicating this issue requires a decade-long and arduous journey, by optimizing prison system and launching campaigns, it is totally achievable.