Running head: Recidivism

Recidivism
First Colonial High School
Tatyana Cobbin
Mrs.Disher
First Colonial High School
November 3, 2014

Recidivism

2
Abstract

This essay will discuss and provide solutions for the about, going into depth, and stating
solutions for my general issue of Recidivism. Recidivism is the act of a person repeating an
undesirable behavior after he/she has either experienced negative consequences of that behavior,
or has been treated or trained to extinguish that behavior. My solutions are very effective would
be electronic monitoring, and intensive probation, relapse prevention therapy, and job
arrangement, and meeting with other criminals. This essay into depth about these solutions and
talking about that are very affective in moving forward in our goal of reducing recidivism. There
is only good that can come out of using these methods. (less is someties more for abstracts)
Keywords: Recidivism, repeating, undesirable, consequences, extinguish, monitoring,
probation, therapy (Capitalize all keywords)
The worlds biggest problem is recidivism. Recidivism is the act of a person repeating an
undesirable behavior after he/she has either experienced negative consequences of that behavior,
or has been treated or trained to extinguish that behavior. (already stated) For example, if Sue
was convicted of a DUI and then comes back again is caught for the same crime multiple times
after, and then later comes back again then Sue is committing (change word choice) the act of
Recidivism. In this country (what country? U.S.?) today, we see a lot on the news on different
crimes that have occurred and people getting charged with different things but the issue at hand
should be looked into so that later on this wont wont happen again. If the problem is solved
thoroughly and through correct treatment is given correctly then there would will be a lot less
crime and a lot less people going in and out of jail and prison.

Recidivism

The general issue is that people keep going in and out of jail or prison for the same or
similar crime. Recidivism is one of the most fundamental concepts in criminal justice. (How?
Why?) It is also said (by whom?) to be a [type of?] relapse which means a person is going back
to their old way which is not good(why is it not good?). There is too much crime going on as it
is.(how do you know this?) If a person keeps coming back and the underline underlying problem
is not solved effectively then that means more money (more money into what?)and more
problems.(what problems?) National statistics show that within three years of release, about twothirds (67.8 percent) of released prisoners than were rearrested.(National Instute of Justice June
17, 2014). With that being said, if these people didnt keep coming back return for the same
crime than then 32.2% (of what?)would be left in jail or prison. This percentage is a lot less than
what we have now. Crime means a lot more that money is needed to keep these people criminals
in jail or prison. So the decrease in inmates mean a lot less money taken from the government
and this is working toward a smaller debt. (find costs of housing inmates)

The problem is that there is too much focus on the time being served and less focus on
the problem at hand. The criminals should punished and away separated from all other people,
but their there needs to be a time where people sit back and think about where this is getting us
reflect upon where current methods are leading. The root of the issue needs to be found figured
out and addressed. Just getting them in and out and serving their time is not helping anything. Its
known that most of the prisoners have an issue and they need help.(known by whom? How?) It
doesn't help society to incarcerate without any rehabilitation. (N. Berlatsky, 2010). They
Prisoners leave the jail or prison without any type of help (there are available treatments. Address
them and why they are not effective)and continue to come back because they are falling back in

Recidivism

their old ways. Most prisoners are stubborn and dont believe what theyre doing is wrong and
wont stop what theyre doing because it became a part of their lifestyle. This is where solutions
need to be put into place to make sure that everything that can be done is done so the rate id of
recidivism is decreased.
One solution would be electronic monitoring and intensive probation reduce. Electronic
monitoring will allow the prisoners to be looked at (elevate word choice) to see how they live in
the cells and what they do. It will specialist (what?) an insight on how they live in the cells which
might may lead to them being diagnosed with [an illness] that may explain their behaviors
something or a problem might arise. Intensive Probation is not like regular probation. It makes
sure that the former inmates are not falling back into their old ways. (combine past two
sentences)It is very hands on and does let former prisoner slip if they and do something wrong.
Intensive probation let allows the former prisoners also know that they are on a tight leash and
one slip up and will place them their back in jail. For most, this solution arises creates fear that
prevents the criminals from slipping-up and they wont slip up. This is perfect because this
means they wont do anything illegal again and this does what regular old probation didnt. This
decreases recidivism and gets the former prisoners the help they need and also guides them in the
right direction.(where are your sources for how and where this method has been used and has
worked?)
One other solution would be job placement programs and education. Many prisoners
dont have the education or the resources to get them out of the deep of hole of crime and, as a
result of this, fall back into crime. With these programs, they can get help with getting back into
the world and changing their life lives for the better. They dont have to resort to stealing or
robbing. (why not? Why did they resort to this in the first place?) The education helps their

Recidivism

confidence as well as leads them down the right path to a bright future. They wont go back to
jail and can have something to look forward to everyday. This also reduces recidivism and keeps
them out of jail. (Where has this proven to be effective?) (Sources?)
Another solution would be therapeutic meetings that will allow them get their feelings
out and address their issues. They can meet others that are in the same situation they are in. This
allows them to open up more and know that its okay to admit you have a problem. These
meetings can be provided inside and outside of jail and prison. Prisoners can look forwards to
these meeting. They can be private or public because some people dont like to talk in front of
other people. Therapeutic meetings help prisoners better understand the law. (Lauren Rabaiotti,
2014). This also helps with decreasing the rate of recidivism and keep them from back tracking
back into crime. (How?)
Recidivism is the worlds biggest problem.(why?)(what about other problems? Such as
starvation, homelessness, and natural disasters? What makes this different? Be prepared for
counters to your argument) Many people go back to jail for the same thing because they dont get
help with their core issue. There are many solutions out there that are not being done to the best
of its ability in order to help these prisoner and former prisoner. (Where? Examples?) Electronic
monitoring, intensive probation, job placement programs, education and therapeutic meeting all
can help reduce the rate of recidivism.. Serving the time given or being punished is not going to
keep them from coming back most of the time because this (What is this? restate)has become
most of these prisoners lifestyles. The problem or issue (clarify)needs to be addressed in order to
be addressed.

Recidivism

Your passion is good, but you may want to elevate your word choices and provide
examples and studies to strengthen your argument. Dont assume that your readers have any
prior knowledge on your topic.

References
Editorial: Prison Should Include Rehabilitation, Punishment. (2010). In N. Berlatsky
(Author), America's Prisons (Opposing Viewpoints). Detroit: Greenhaven Press. Retrieved
October 27, 2014, from Opposing Viewpoints in Context.
Frazier, M. (2011, August 9). A Solution to Recidivism: Let Ex-Offenders Vote. Retrieved
October 24, 2014, from http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecrimereport.org%2Fviewpoints%2F2011-08a-solution-to-recidivism-let-ex-offenders-vote
Gaston, G. (2013). Harris Co. Trying New Approach to Rehab Troubled Teens. In J.
Bartos (Ed.), Teen Residential Treatment Programs (At Issue). Detroit: Greenhaven Press.
Retrieved October 24, 2014, from Opposing Viewpoints in Context.
es to Prisons (At Issue). Detroit: Greenhaven Press. Retrieved October 28, 2014, from
Opposing Viewpoints in Context.