In many parts of the world, former prisoners have returned to criminal activity after release. This phenomenon can be attributed to inadequate rehabilitation and social stigma. However, these causes can be addressed through vocational training and behaviour counselling during imprisonment, alongside employment support after release.
One major factor contributing to high levels of reoffending is a lack of rehabilitation programmes. If offenders are merely imprisoned without receiving behavioral support and vocational training during their sentences, they may have limited employment prospects and their harmful behavior may remain unchanged. As a result, former offenders may struggle to reintegrate into society and gain access to legitimate employment. Experiencing financial hardship can increase the likelihood of some ex-prisoners returning to crime. In addition, many former prisoners may face social stigma associated with their criminal records. In other words, many employers are likely to be reluctant to hire former offenders, contributing to limited access to legitimate sources of income. Such a discrimination combined with financial pressure after release may make former prisoners more vulnerable to involvement in illegal activities.
To address this problem, there are two practical measures. Firstly, governments should provide prisoners with vocational training and behavioural counselling during imprisonment. By doing so, offenders can develop practical skills and adopt healthier behavioural patterns that are useful for their employment prospects and reintegration after release. Unless former offenders are given opportunities to reform and develop some job-related skills while serving their sentences, they may find it challenging to earn a stable income and reintegrate into their communities. Secondly, by offering financial incentives to employers and funding apprenticeship programmes, governments can encourage businesses to recruit former prisoners. Through such employment support, offenders may be able to earn a legitimate income and improve their living standards after release, gradually becoming productive members of society and contributing positively to their communities.
In conclusion, some former offenders may return to crime as a result of inadequate rehabilitation and social prejudice. However, this problem can easily be addressed by effective reform programmes, financial incentives and funded-apprenticeships. Although rehabilitation programmes and employment support may require substantial investment, these approaches can reduce social and financial costs associated with crime in the long term.