Recidivism Rates: What should we do??

The chart above shows the rates of recidivism in 1994. Unfortunately rates have not changed much since then. "Two-Thirds of prisoners reoffend within three years of leaving prison, often with a more serious and violent offense".(Gilligan,1). After reading Mr. Gilligans article on the New York Times I found his article very informative. First, he points out the failure of our system. Second, he provides us with the solution. This article also reaffirms the point I have been trying to make-- the correct rehabilitation will work-- I believe we all should be aware of what we are paying for as tax payers. Mr. Gilligan believes that the right education with the right environment will reduce these rates immensely. He bases this on the fact that he used his system of "intensive re-education" in the San Francisco jails. Based on his studies reduced violence in jail and more importantly reduced the frequency of violent reoffending by 83%. His educational program is also less expensive than the conventional programs being offered at the correctional facilities. It saves around $30,000 a year per person.

The right education is the key to low recidivism rates.

http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/12/18/prison-could-be-productive/punishment-fails-rehabilitation-works

Habits

This is such a complex system to deal with and research because as all of the articles that we have read in class have mentioned about violent men, "it is partly the environment they grew up in", an article about gang prisons that someone posted in the MS discussion that focused on gangs inside the correctional system. When they were interviewing a young woman she was saying how she really wanted to get out of the gang life for her young daughter. She then added, "how can I stop doing what I am doing if it is something I have learned, I don't know what else to do". Clearly, it is learned behavior. I don't want to get off focus here with the subject of rehabilitation and males. But what she said is true for all. This is what psychologist have to do research on, learned behavior. But let's look into it with a positive lens and not the 1970s view that nothing works pessimistic view. A point I want to make is that we are creatures of habit. I want you all to think about it a bit. How is habit created?

In an article about habits the author helps us see how to form or break habits. He says "Parallel parking, gambling, exercising, brushing your teeth and every other habit-forming activity all follow the same behavioral and neurological patterns, says New York Times business writer Charles Duhigg". He then explains that it starts with a psychological pattern called the "habit loop" which encompasses a three-part process. First, the trigger, the brain clicks into automatic mode and  allows the behavior to unfold. Second, the routine, the behavior begins to take place. And last, the reward, which is the key because it helps the brain remember about the "loop". I read in another article a while ago that habit forms in 21 days. Another key point is that "studies have shown that people will perform automated behaviors — like pulling out of a driveway or brushing teeth — the same way every single time, if they're in the same environment."Environment is a key aspect of rehabilitation, creating the right environment for the male inmates. That is why a great educational program as rehab is such a great way to reduce recidivism. We must allow them to see the bigger picture instead of their tunnel vision that most gang members have due to their lack of education. In their minds, the gang is their security blanket, it is their opportunity to become someone. What education does is open up their mind to a world of possibilities. The people in jails should be trained and specialized so that they can help gang members and inmates get out of their criminal habits and help them create habits that will make them great members of society.

Habits: How They Form and How to Break Them. <http://www.npr.org/2012/03/05/147192599/habits-how-they-form-and-how-to-break-them>

Which Correctional Interventions Reduce Offender ( Males) Recidivism

The goal of this post is to analyze some ways or systems that reduce offender recidivism. 

The definition of recidivism (for those of you that don't know) is a a "tendency to relapse into a previous condition or mode of behavior; especially :  relapse into criminal behavior". 

Our system is currently failing at helping those individuals get the help necessary to deter them from future criminal activities.

"Rehabilitation has often been depicted as a failed enterprise that should be purged from the American correctional system or, at least, relegated to a secondary status (Logan and Gaes 1993). "

Many have argued that rehabilitation simply does not "work" but Logan and Gaes provide a factual analysis of a method that "does work" when treating inmates. The method is called "Cognitive behavioral" programs that deal with the specific need of the individual. These programs focus on behavioral aspects of the individual:

"In the case of offenders, existing cognitive distortions are thoughts and values that justify antisocial activities (e.g., aggression, stealing, substance abuse) and that denigrate conventional pro-social pursuits regarding education, work, and social relationships. Most offenders also have minimal cognitive skills enabling them to behave in a pro-social fashion. In
light of these deficits, effective cognitive-behavioral programs attempt to assist
offenders: (1) to define the problems that led them into conflict with authorities,(2) to select goals, (3) to generate new alternative pro-social solutions, and then (4) to implement these solutions."

Although the article focuses on inmates inmates in general, not  just males. I do believe I can connect the dots after reading all the other articles about males and crime. This topic has really opened up my eyes and helped me put the puzzle pieces together. I believe, after reading this article about the type of rehabilitation that does work,could work for males and their specific needs. Why? because this specific treatment is based on the actual person and designed to treat each patient/inmate according to their specific needs. This treatment helps inmates understand why this is wrong. In the article by Anderson and Umberson focuses on the excuses or justifications men make in their mind when they beat up their significant others. The men that they interviewed for their study "constructed the violence as a rational response to extreme provocation" (Anderson & Umberson, 362). This treatment helps them rationalize and tap into their cognitive side of the brain and shows them that it is actually wrong. 

"In general, behavioral interventions are effective in changing an array of human behavior.

With regard to crime, they are well-suited to altering the “criminogenic needs”—antisocial attitudes,

cognitions, personality orientations, and associations—that underlie recidivism" (Logan & Gaes, 145)

 

Based on their research and also depending on each individual this is a method that could help foster peace and deter inmates from going back.

 

Works Cited

Anderson, Kristin L., and Debra Umberson. "GENDERING VIOLENCE Masculinity and Power in Men's Accounts of Domestic Violence." Gender & Society 15.3 (2001): 358-380.

 

Cullen, Francis T., and Paul Gendreau. "Assessing correctional rehabilitation: Policy, practice, and prospects." Criminal justice 3.109-175 (2000).

 

 

Introduction

My name is Sandra Elizabeth. I am a paralegal looking into a further legal career. The purpose of my choosing this specific system within the Criminal System is to really understand and give personal and thought out input as to how one can help out those individuals (specifically men) in the system when it comes to rehabilitation. I believe the right rehabilitation will help deter future crime. One of the most important keys for rehabilitation is individuals who are well studied in the field and have a deep understanding of the causes behind the decisions that brought them to that place. Rich Furman explains that people who are "placed at risk by a variety of unmet needs, conditions etc", he further explains that what "unites these populations is the need for intervention to prevent future harm, pain or dysfunction".

What qualifies an individual to be the one helping rehabilitate or intervene one who is in need of help or intervention? How educated must one be? What are we doing now and what can we change in order to help those in need of help? This blog page will further into this key/important subsystem within the Criminal Justice System.