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Recidivism Is Preventable: Rehabilitation Centers
Brianna Chappell
Grand Canyon University
PHI-105 21st Century Skills: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Prof. Kristen Dicarlo
August 27, 2023
Recidivism Is Preventable: Rehabilitation Centers
Talking about prisoners’ conditions and how society can be better for them is not an easy or light topic to talk about in a conversation. However, the conversation must be had to institute change. Preventing inmates from returning to jail and reducing the likelihood of repeated crimes
is possible. Their behavior and actions are not being dismissed or desensitized, this is simply addressing how it can be prevented from reoccurring and causing more damage. Hannah E Wissler in the ABA Journal of Labor & Employment Law journal defines recidivism as the chances of returning to specific actions (Wissler). American prisons have a continuously rising rate of criminals that recidivate to crime. Many included in that percentage are not well equipped
with the tools needed for a sustainable life such as a constant job. Prisoners who spend decades in prison have the most trouble reentering society and finding jobs or programs that will accept them. Rehabilitation centers provide these things American prisons that are reformed to resemble
rehabilitation facilities will reduce recidivism as it will provide education, promote positive opportunities, and help the state use its budget efficiently.
The educational programs that the rehabilitation facilities will provide are beneficial to lowering recidivism. Correctional education such as receiving GEDs has had positive effects on criminals. In the article The Effectiveness of Education and Employment Programming for Prisoners, Grant Duwe states, “A review of more than 90 studies on prison education programs revealed that prison education reduces the likelihood of recidivism, especially for offenders with the largest education deficits” (Duwe 5). Duwe is saying that having inmates learn and obtain a plethora of certicates such as a GED or other vocational trades. Being educated helps individuals that were in jail accumulate a legal job and maintain it. People who attend facilities such as these
receive mental health education and assistance to address their root issue as that may be a reason
for crime. Capitalizing on the positive things that education cultivates, brings us to our next topic
of how positive opportunities are promoted in such facilities.
When the individual knows the limitless opportunities available, it helps them want to strive for something good, thereby reducing recidivism.
According to Julia Stinson in Indiana int’l & Comp. Law Review, "reduction of recidivism by securing transitional needs and enhance[ing] community reintegration prior to release" (Stinton 272). In other words, by getting the inmates back acclimated to the work life and providing necessities has a rate of success. When ex-convicts are given the resources to learn the new ways of the world and are mentally prepared for the release, it is shown to lower their chances of returning to jail. Being able to receive vocational skills training are more likely to get jobs and higher wages after release (Petersilia 54). Another positive opportunity that are provided with the rehabilitation center includes programs are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Substance Use Disorder Treatment, Arts-
in- Corrections, and so much more (Legislative Analyst's Office). These programs are direct interferences and deterrence from criminals repeating their patterns. Inmates will have access to various therapies that encourage change. If we could implement effective programs, we could expect to reduce recidivism by 15 to 20 percent. This helps the state as the inmates are productivelyy working with all the new help hired in the working field.
By including rehabilitation, the state's money will have been used to push more workers into the workforce, which generates more income that circles back to them and ensures a more productive budget.
After those imprisoned utilize the education program and gain access to stable jobs, the money they earn goes right back to the state. Duwe confirms this idea when he states, “Programs that improve employment
incomes can also create a benefit by increasing income taxes that employed offenders pay to the state” (Duwe 4). When the offenders have solidified a stable job, they are able to sustain themselves and ultimately repay the state back in taxes. In every argument the cons have to be evaluated. Adding rehab
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centers in every prison in every state requires a lot of money to fund. The states, that have not included these places, are mostly concerned about all of the money it will cost to not only build, but also pay for a staff of people to work and teach. Granted, it is a costly expense though it is cheap compared to cost of the damages and possible lawsuits the states will have to pay after criminals a.) deface property, b.) costs to house returning inmates. As explained by Petersilia, “[…] chronic offender costs society between $4.2 and $7.2 million, principally in police and court outlays, property losses, and medical care. We either pay now or pay later-and we pay a lot more later” (Petersilia 54). The costs of criminals that go to jail for the first-time or repeater offenders is for more expensive and not nearly as beneficial as the rehabilitation facilities would be. Some officials have excitedly nixed rehabilitation programs, though it is counterproductive to cut the budget of correctional establishments (Petersilia 54). Joan Petersilia agrees that these programs are working and benefiting themselves as well as society. Taking away these programs means that the state funder spends more on providing for the inmates than helping them and saving money. Adding rehabilitation centers into prison will benefit all parties in the long run. The goal of reducing crime and incarceration rates is realistically attainable. Adding rehabilitation
facilities in American prisons will not only benefit the prisoner but also society and the state. The prisoner
will benefit from the new education they receive like learning the topics needed to attain GED and other life skills. The prisoners also will benefit from the many positive opportunities that education opens the door for such as housing or sustainable jobs. The state and society benefit from rehabilitation facilities as they will address the actions that cause crime. Addressing the root problem lowers crime rates and effectively utilizes the state’s funding. Even if the state is not persuaded to add the facilities, individuals can use their voting voice to elect delegates who care.
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References
Duwe, G. (2018). The Effectiveness of Education and Employment Programming for Prisoners. In American Enterprise Institute. American Enterprise Institute. https://eds-s-ebscohost-
com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/eds/detail/detail?vid=3&sid=15415433-2903-4585-a7af-
ea9e01146bb8%40redis&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmUmc2NvcGU9c2l0ZQ%3d
%3d#AN=ED585975&db=eric
Petersilia, J. (2011). Beyond the Prison Bubble. The Wilson Quarterly (1976-), 35(1), 50–55. https://doi-
org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.2307/41001069 STINSON, J. A. (2023). We’ve Got some Work to Do: How the United States Could Benefit from Implementing Germany’s Prison Employment Program. Indiana International & Comparative Law Review, 33(1), 257–287. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.18060/27372 The California Legislature’s Nonpartisan Fiscal and Policy Advisor. (2017, December 6). Improving In-
Prison Rehabilitation Programs. Improving in-prison rehabilitation programs. https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3720
Wissler, H. E. (2023). Overlooked and Undervalued: Ex-Offenders in the Employment Market. ABA Journal of Labor & Employment Law, 37(1), 93–123.