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2 Recidivism: Underlying Issues and Potential Solutions Aubrea Wilson American Public University

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Recidivism: Underlying Issues and Potential Solutions

Aubrea Wilson

American Public University

CMRJ497 B001 Summer 2023

Dr. P

06/07/2023

Behnken, M. P., Bort, A., & Borbon, M. (2017). Race and Gender Recidivism Differences Among Juvenile Mental Health Court Graduates. Juvenile and Family Court Journal, 68(2), 19–31. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfcj.12092

In this study, Behnken et al. (2017) compare the recidivism rates among different races and

Genders. As per their study results, these authors note that these factors play an important role

in recidivism. For instance, minority groups such as blacks are likelier to re-offend as

compared to whites. For their study, the researchers used juvenile offenders. As part of their

quantitative study, Behnken et al. (2017) provide various models that can be employed as

intervention approaches. Information drawn from this article is key for comparative purposes.

For instance, this data can be compared to that obtained by Lockwood et al. (2015). In such

cases, the researcher would then appreciate the roles played by race if both studies affirm that

this factor does affect recidivism or is correlated to it.

Clarke, M. C., Peterson-Badali, M., & Skilling, T. A. (2017). The Relationship Between Changes in Dynamic Risk Factors and the Predictive Validity of Risk Assessments Among Youth Offenders. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 44(10), 1340–1355. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854817719915

Different models can be used to examine the potential of an individual reoffending. According to the study by Clarke et al. (2017), the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI) is one such model that is utilized in assessing youth offenders. This model is often employed to ascertain variations in criminogenic needs. As per these authors, there is limited analysis of these models to examine their efficacy (Clarke et al., 2017). Consequently, this study was adopted to perform the abovementioned purpose. This study sought to examine if changes in the dynamic risk factors increased the efficacy of this tool. The researchers used 200 youth offenders as part of the risk assessment by employing the YLS/CMI tool. As per the study results, it was noted that the involvement of the dynamic risk scores positively influenced the YLS/CMS assessment tool outcomes. Such results thus argue for the modification of these risk assessment tools for increased efficacy. The study results from this research are key in helping understand the study topic and how models can be used to address recidivism.

Esparza Flores, N. (2018). Contributing Factors to Mass Incarceration and Recidivism. Themis: Research Journal of Justice Studies and Forensic Science, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.31979/themis.2018.0604

The study by Esparza Flores (2018) sought to examine various reasons for the increased imprisonment and high recidivism levels. As per this author, the US has over the years recorded the highest number of inmates globally. Consequently, it was critical to find the reasons for these trends and potentially offer solutions to this problem. Some of the reasons that have been provided for these high incarcerations by existing studies include racism, controversial police practices, and tough-on-crime policies (Esparza Flores, 2018). Statistics captured in the study show that there exists a 76% chance that a released prisoner will re-offend. Some of the reasons fronted by the researcher for the high reoffending rates include low education levels, high unemployment rates, socioeconomic disparities, and racism (Esparza Flores, 2018). In recognition of these factors, studies such as the proposed research can then formulate adequate practices and policies for reducing recidivism.

Glover, C., Obodai, J., Forkuor, J. M., & Abaitey, A. K. A. (2018). Risk Factors of Recidivism: Lessons from Central Prison in Kumasi, Ghana. OALib, 05(10), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1104744

Recidivism results from exposure to various risk factors. In this article, Glover et al. (2018) conducted a study within Central Prison in Kumasi to determine the various aspects that increase the likelihood of recidivism. To attain the study data, the researchers employed purposive sampling and used 30 participants for data collection. The assembled data showed that common risk factors among the sampled population included lack of income and accommodation, joblessness, stigmatization from society as a result of their previous criminal records, and inadequate support from families upon their release (Glover et al., 2018). These factors show consistency with those seen in the US. Although, unlike their US counterparts, the Ghanaian convicts do not suffer from racism, they are exposed to the same complications upon their release including joblessness and stigmatization by society. This article further helps address the study topic by providing comparative information from a different region to the US.

Hanson, R. K. (2018). Long-Term Recidivism Studies Show That Desistance Is the Norm. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 45(9), 1340–1346. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854818793382

According to Hanson (2018), criminal records are employed in various setups such as employment. As per these researchers, there exist various studies within the last few decades that seek to ascertain residual effects and desistance. In this study, the researchers examine existing evidence to critique desistance and the likelihood of reoffending among past offenders. As per the sampled data, the article points out that people who have been under incarceration and stay for 10 years without other criminal cases pose similar threats as those who have never been incarcerated. On the contrary, juveniles only require 5 years to pose similar threats to those without prior criminal records. Further analyses argue that even for sexual offenses, the time-free effects noted above apply. Such information would thus mean that a previous inmate can possess similar risks to offending as that posed by the general population. However, this requires a long timeline without offending to establish.

Holloway, E. D., Folk, J. B., Ordorica, C., & Tolou-Shams, M. (2022). Peer, substance use, and race-related factors associated with recidivism among first-time justice-involved youth. Law and Human Behavior, 46(2), 140–153. https://doi.org/10.1037/lhb0000471

This study sought to examine the correlation between recidivism and several factors including substance abuse, peers, and race. For the study, these authors majorly focused on first-time offenders (Holloway et al., 2022). In so doing, these researchers eliminated the possibility of reoffending due to habit. This study was guided by a hypothesis that assumed that an increase in substance abuse, black and brown youth, and peer deviancy would all act as promoters of recidivism. In addition, dependent and independent variables were used in this quantitative study. As per the study outcomes, alcohol played a major role in recidivism. In contrast, cannabis showed no potent role in recidivism. In addition, it was noted that black, Latinx, and multicultural youth were likelier to re-offend.

Kishi, K., Suzuki, J., Monma, T., Asanuma, T., & Takeda, F. (2018). Psychosocial and criminological factors related to recidivism among Japanese criminals at offender rehabilitation facilities. Cogent Social Sciences, 4(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2018.1489458

In this study, Kishi et al. (2018) use Japan as their case study region to critique criminological and psychosocial indicators associated with recidivism. Albeit Japan has low crime rates, Kishi et al. (2018) note that this nation also records recidivism rates. In addition, it is noted that in the last two decades, there has been steady growth in recidivism rates (Kishi et al., 2018). As of 2016, the recidivism rate in Japan was recorded at 59%, slightly lower than the 76% recorded in the US. However, these rates are still high. As part of their data collection, the authors collected information from 96 rehabilitation facilities. In addition, the participants were chosen between the ages of 26-88, allowing the authors to eliminate the role of age in recidivism. Data were obtained using the Japanese Criminal Thinking Inventory, the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire, the sense of coherence (SOC) scale, and socioeconomic and criminological questionnaires (Kishi et al., 2018). The regression analyses point out that offering applicable interventions dependent on the manageability levels could be key in reducing recidivism.

Lockwood, S. K., Nally, J. M., Ho, T., & Knutson, K. (2015). Racial Disparities and Similarities in Post-Release Recidivism and Employment Among Ex-prisoners with a Different Level of Education. Journal of Prison Education and Reentry, 2(1), 35–50. https://doi.org/10.15845/jper.v2i1.703

In this article, Lockwood et al. (2015) examine the differences in recidivism among different races. In addition, these researchers address the role of education in preventing recidivism. In addition to education and race, the study also looks at the role of employment in reducing recidivism. These authors designed this study intending to address existing study gaps that overlooked the role of race in recidivism. As per these researchers, race is a core factor in securing employment. As a result, ex-prisoners from minority groups are lesser likely to secure employment as compared to their white counterparts. In addition, increased education level also offers these individuals a competitive advantage in the job market. This article offers the proposed study an opportunity to consider including key aspects such as education, race, and employment when examining recidivism rates.

Mitchell, O., Cochran, J. C., Mears, D. P., & Bales, W. D. (2016). Examining Prison Effects on Recidivism: A Regression Discontinuity Approach. Justice Quarterly, 34(4), 571–596. https://doi.org/10.1080/07418825.2016.1219762

Mitchell et al. (2016) performed a regression discontinuity to ascertain the implications of imprisonment to recidivism. As per these authors, their study was prompted by the lack of adequate rigorous studies that address the correlation between imprisonment and the likelihood of reoffending (Mitchell et al., 2016). As a result, the study was designed to employ a methodology that accounts for selection effects. By using regression discontinuity, the authors reduced the selection bias, hence improving the study outcomes (Mitchell et al., 2016). According to the obtained results, prison does not have an appreciable implication of recidivism. In addition, these results did not show differences in the effects of imprisonment and recidivism when various races were compared. However, the researchers found that under similar conditions, males show a higher likelihood of recidivism compared to women. Such results indicate that race does not affect recidivism but gender shows disparities with men more likely to reoffend.

Fazel, S., & Wolf, A. (2015). A Systematic Review of Criminal Recidivism Rates Worldwide: Current Difficulties and Recommendations for Best Practice. PLOS ONE, 10(6), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0130390

This article entails a systematic review of existing evidence to determine recidivism rates across various nations. Recognition of these recidivism rates would allow the researchers an opportunity to develop advanced and better-fit practices for the recidivism issue. Fazel and Wolf (2015) sought to compare the statistics across various nations and in the long run create the most applicable reporting guide for reoffending. Articles used in the systematic literature review were accessed from Google Scholar, Google Web, and MEDLINE. The articles used in this review were both country-specific and non-country-specific. The analyzed data in this study were accessed from 18 nations. In the majority of the countries, the most reported issues were the 2-year reconviction categories. On the other hand, recidivism was viewed and defined differently among these nations. Consequently, it was difficult to establish a common comparison ground given that what could be referred to as recidivism in Nation A could be termed otherwise in Nation B.

References

Esparza Flores, N. (2018). Contributing Factors to Mass Incarceration and Recidivism. Themis: Research Journal of Justice Studies and Forensic Science, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.31979/themis.2018.0604

Hanson, R. K. (2018). Long-Term Recidivism Studies Show That Desistance Is the Norm. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 45(9), 1340–1346. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854818793382

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