The Relation Between Recidivism And The Labeling Theory

Abstract: This study looks at the relation between recidivism and the labeling theory. The study examines what the ideas of the labeling theory are and how they relate to the modern justice system. Prison populations have skyrocketed since the beginning of the 1980s. This paper analyzes how this number has grown along with how labeling theory identifies how the community operates along with individuals. The research collected the effect the current society’s labels are on the first time offenders and the multiple offenders and how they differ. The study concludes that the labeling theory can clearly explain how and why the recidivism rates and the prison populations have grown so massive in such a short amount of time. The labels prisoners get causes these individuals to be shunned by the community and railroads them back into the criminal world, forcing them back into the criminal justice system.

In the modern world, prison populations have become a massive problem. These prison populations have only increased since 1980, with a significant explosion in population between 2000 and 2010. This extreme prison population is caused by many factors, including the negative effects of “labeling”. Labeling theory is the theory that states that when a person
The effect of punitive sentences has been a topic of discussion for many years. (Ascani, 2011) It is widely assumed that many ex-convicts, after serving their time, will end up cycling back into the system by committing more crime. (Frederique, 2013) This is known as recidivism. In a report by the Pew Center, the average national recidivism rate for released prisoners is 43.3%. (Chiricos, 2007)(Farrington, 2013) This establishes that the average criminal has an almost 50-50 chance at going back into the justice system, or reforming. (Frederique,