How Effective Are Various Methods in Reducing Recidivism Essay Example for Free

How Effective Are Various Methods in Reducing Recidivism strivePrison, non-custodial sentences and rehabilitation seem all failed in reducing recidivism however, there is little and limited say to support non-custodial sentences, as well as some wad commend if rehabilitation could be implemented effectively, it would work. Although the advantage of prison is keeping our society from dangerous people, when it comes to reducing recidivism drift, the effect of prison is disappointing. The public usually think that imprisonment is safer for communities however, it appears powerless to deter inmates from committing crime over again. In the article, Study shows building prisons did not prevent repeat crimes, Fox Butterfield (2002) cites a large-scale study of recidivism from the place of Justice Statistics, which investigated up to 272,111 former prisoners in 15 states during the first three years after being released. It found that 67% of inmates broke the law again in three ye ars right after their release in 1994. It is surprised that it does not make any difference to recidivism rate which was studied in 1960s, and it is even 5% higher than the study done in 1983.In addition, it indicated that the more(prenominal) rearrest records a vicious has, the higher recidivism rate he has. The inmates who have more than 15 prior arrests have 82. 1% of recidivism rate. Nevertheless, according to Emily Kinghams article (2006), she believes that prison forces offenders to regret and reflect on their behaviour as for the reason that criminals bottomlandnot stand firm the temptation of committing new crime is because of inadequate provided support. In spite of this, some experts have admitted that prison does not work in terms of reducing recidivism rate (Considering the alternatives 1978 Finckenauer 1988).Some limited evidence has shown that non-custodial sentences may decrease recidivism regardless of some experts being sceptical about their desired achievements . On the one hand, alternative sentences can help government save money and alleviate over-cramped number of criminals in prison (Considering the alternatives 1978). On the other hand, Kingham(2006) points out that alternative sentences do nothing only when knuckle under prisoners to their original circumstances, which result in unawareness of their crimes and the onsequences. One study indicated that through one of alternative sentences, intensive probation, recidivism rate is less than 20% however, the evidence maybe weak as the study has not been completely put into practice (Considering the alternatives 1978). Furthermore, in the Minnesota, alternative sentences have been successfully adopted to keep criminal rate not increasing, but it may not be convinced because of the source not being confirmed (Considering the alternatives 1978).While some people designate rehabilitation is also failed in reducing recidivism rate, some authors counter that if government could support reh abilitation, recidivism rate would decrease. According to the article, Prison, James O. Finckenauer (1988) cites some studies, which shows that even though the government has already provided with good rehabilitation programmes, they cannot achieve reformatory of inmates.On the other hand, this position is contested by Joan Petersilis (cited in Butterfield 2002), a professor of criminology at the University of California at Irvine and an expert on parole, who says that state governments spent such little money on rehabilitation programs that inmates do not receive satisfactory help with drug addition, work skill and preparation for a new life, which may lead increasing recidivism rate. Butterfield (2002) further cites the statement by Mr. Travis, who also argues that criminals return to crime.