Employment Is the Key to Reducing Recidivism
Employment is the key to reducing recidivism
Derrick G. Patrick
COM/150
November 09, 2012
Dr. David Willis
Employment is the Key to reducing recidivism
Individuals returning from incarceration each year live in virtually every zip code in the country. Most ex-offenders have every intention of becoming productive, tax paying citizens, and no intention of returning to the penal system. However ex-offenders are largely on their own when returning to our communities. They are often estranged from families and friends, and are increasingly faced with tremendous challenges upon their release. Most are simply unprepared for the challenges they will encounter in the attempt to restore normalcy to their lives – finding a home, becoming employed, paying bills and reconciling family ties among others. With their lives in upheaval, many ex-offenders unfortunately feel compelled to return to their criminal behavior. Recidivism – the return of an ex-offender to prison – often occurs and the entire community pays for it, both financially and through sacrifice of personal security. The best way to prevent recidivism is to put ex-offenders to work.
Each year there is a substantial large group that enters the workforce. extra group that enters the workforce. They’re not immigrants or our own teens coming of age, they are ex-offenders. “Between 600,000 and 700,000 inmates are released annually, two thirds of them will be rearrested within three years after their release,” (Anderson, D. 2008) considering the amount of money it takes to house an inmate in prison, the costs could be staggering. Over half of those that are released from prison or are currently on probation don’t have jobs. “Most professionals agree that reducing recidivism is the key to alleviating the stress on our overburdened correctional system. “(Anderson, D. 2008)” Given the high cost of crime and incarceration, almost any program that reduces recidivism will pass social benefit-cost
Derrick G. Patrick
COM/150
November 09, 2012
Dr. David Willis
Employment is the Key to reducing recidivism
Individuals returning from incarceration each year live in virtually every zip code in the country. Most ex-offenders have every intention of becoming productive, tax paying citizens, and no intention of returning to the penal system. However ex-offenders are largely on their own when returning to our communities. They are often estranged from families and friends, and are increasingly faced with tremendous challenges upon their release. Most are simply unprepared for the challenges they will encounter in the attempt to restore normalcy to their lives – finding a home, becoming employed, paying bills and reconciling family ties among others. With their lives in upheaval, many ex-offenders unfortunately feel compelled to return to their criminal behavior. Recidivism – the return of an ex-offender to prison – often occurs and the entire community pays for it, both financially and through sacrifice of personal security. The best way to prevent recidivism is to put ex-offenders to work.
Each year there is a substantial large group that enters the workforce. extra group that enters the workforce. They’re not immigrants or our own teens coming of age, they are ex-offenders. “Between 600,000 and 700,000 inmates are released annually, two thirds of them will be rearrested within three years after their release,” (Anderson, D. 2008) considering the amount of money it takes to house an inmate in prison, the costs could be staggering. Over half of those that are released from prison or are currently on probation don’t have jobs. “Most professionals agree that reducing recidivism is the key to alleviating the stress on our overburdened correctional system. “(Anderson, D. 2008)” Given the high cost of crime and incarceration, almost any program that reduces recidivism will pass social benefit-cost
References: Anderson, D. (2008). Employment Crossing. Retrieved from http://www.hrcrossing.com/article/270120/Working-to-Reduce-Recidivism-Employment-as-the-Key-to-Offender-Reintegration/ America Works Florida State University. (2006). 2006 Annual Report to the Florida Department of Education: Juvenile Justice Educational Enhancement Program__. Retrieved from Florida State University, website. Freeman, R Schaefer, R. T. (2012). Racial and Ethnic Groups (13th ed.). : Merrill Prentice Hall. Source Blogger. (2011). Reducing Recidivism Through Employment. Retrieved from http://sourceblogger.com/reducing-recidivism-through-employment/ CERTIFICATE OF ORIGINALITY