Inmate Recidivism Rate example essay topic

As crime rates in our cities skyrocket, people's faith in the American justice system plummets. Skeptics blame lax law enforcement, and think in the "once a crook, always a crook" mind frame. These are the people that for the most part believe that the system should come down harder on first time offenders, and even harder on re-offenders. Others leave the system's theory of "punishment over rehabilitation" to blame.

Is it really more effective to stone a man for falling then to help a man to his feet and advise him from falling again? Both arguments, though valid, could in reality be arguing all the wrong points. Is the justice system truly the man's keeper? Or is the system merely dragged along as a scapegoat, to be fed to the dogs whenever man errs?

Statistics prove that over the last ten years, the number of inmates in prison rose 56.5% from 47,012 in June 1992 to 73,553 in June 2002. With these numbers running from one fiscal year to another, recidivism rates rise as well. Generally, an inmate recidivism rate is the percentage of inmates released during a specific time period who commit a new offence within a certain time of their release (Bush, 2001). Scientific studies have documented that many factors contribute to recidivism rates. These include such personal characteristics as age, gender, race, length and severity of criminal history, education and skill levels, and conduct in prison. Clearly, this documented evidence "passes the buck", more towards the inmate than to the system the inmate claims he was "bit" by.

At this point, the people begin to question whether the American justice system is truly conducting itself in an efficient manner, or if is it simply generating counter-productive results. Various states boast their own unique methods of punishment / corrections. In 1995, "Chain-Gangs" were re-instated in states like Alabama and Florida (Curt singer, 1996). Some states, such as Iowa, force their inmates to wear bright and multicolored uniforms in order to make clear to everyone that they are prisoners, while doing daily runs through commonly populated areas (Iowa Code, 904.701). Arizona is among one of the states whose inmates are stripped of all luxuries and are confined to a set of tents in the middle of the desert called "tent-cities" (Strindberg, 2001).

Other states, like New York, reward the inmates with special privileges, like cable TV, weights, and Internet access. Though the methods of correction fluctuate from state to state, the recidivism rates nationwide are relatively the same. This only proves one thing; that only the person himself can improve the chances of his rehabilitation and correction. The justice system solely sets the foundation for what every man should do, and enforces the consequences that follow should he not abide by its standards. Studies have proven that, for the most part, inmates with various reports of foul conduct, multiple disciplinary actions during incarceration, and relatively violent behavior towards others are prone to re-arrest within 24-months of their release. On the contrary, inmates with nearly impeccable behavior and participation in various rehabilitation and life reconstruction programs are inclined to later success.

One of the most basic principles of human existence is that of free will. God gave man a mind of its own so that he may choose between right and wrong. Although the justice system exists to maintain order and discipline, ultimately it can only do so much. In the end, the final decision lies in the individual himself. To expect more from the justice system is to presume it holds the power to violate free will. To expect more from the system is to presume it has the right to play God.

And that a line that no one, no matter how high in title or powerful in position, has the right to cross.