Reducing the Recidivism Rate in Colorado, Research Paper Example

It is a known fact that going to prison is a life-altering experience and most of the inmates never see the outside world ever again, but there are some that do get the chance to see the outside world but don’t know how to really “act” in it. Some lack direction, some feel that the “inside” is all they’ve ever known and are back in there within a month or two. It’s a proven fact that people who have family in prison don’t really know what to do with them when they get out and a lot of them find that they are inconveniencing everyone by trying to stay somewhere they can’t. Often times, those who did time in prison try to do good by themselves by trying to get a job or do something positive with their life so they don’t end up back in prison again; some inmates are lucky to and some aren’t. Some inmates end up in rehabilitation centers in their home state trying to find their way once more and find that they can’t get the proper means in which to take care of themselves, trying to get their lives back on track; unless they have help from family or friends or both.

It is no surprise that most of those recently released from prison have trouble because most of society aren’t prepared to cater to the needs of those fresh out of prison, some organizations usually prefer those who served time in prison get clearance from their probation officer before they come and work for them. There is a small percentage of inmates who aspire to go back to school and try to get a job in their ideal field of study, but some aren’t taught how to go about filling out an application for financial aid let alone a job. This has grown into a big problem because it seems that some people have no knowledge of how to survive outside of prison and no one is willing to help them, it’s a fear factor for some people; the world’s sense of open-mindedness has dramatically closed. It can’t be argued that all inmates need to move on from prison, but they need help and that help isn’t always readily available.

In the strict state of Colorado, there has been detailed statistics of inmates who were fresh out of prison who went back to their old ways of life and didn’t care whether they ended up back in prison; there were some that were doing narcotics as well as other things that landed them right back in prison. According to Rios and Greene (2009), “there are more inmates ending up back in prison because of lack of direction and guidance, 25% of the inmates that get out on parole don’t have a helping hand to get their life straight” (Rios and Greene, 4, 2009). In 2007 alone, less than half of the inmates that got out of prison that year where was arrested again on similar charges. 1 in 6 of those out of prison were arrested because of lack of supervision and serving out a stricter sentence, it was a trend that was growing out of control.

According to Hinkle and Bengs (2009), “people who are fresh out of prison can’t help but go back to the old lifestyle they lived because the community won’t help them and don’t care to, it’s supposed to be people helping people. Sadly, substance abuse programs are good for them, but they need more than that” (Hinkle and Bengs, 2009). More than half of the inmates in prison are pushed out into the world without any help, but the warning that if they do anything wrong then they’ll end up right back in prison; some feel that they don’t have a choice in the matter. In the state of Colorado, recidivism rates has always been the highest in the U.S. because of programs in places that inmates are not being informed about. It used to be a rule that when a prisoner was released from jail, they received an “education” of sorts that helped them on the outside; at least until they found a way to attain more. However, odds are 1 in 12 inmates that are released from prison have nowhere to go which leaves them in a tough bind and the temptation to go back to their old life lingers.

It can be argued that it is not completely the fault of the inmates that they are back in prison again, there are some things that they feel they can’t change without someone who cares.

Now, despite Colorado high recidivism rate and their strict prison policies, there is hope for inmate that wanders from the prison or gets paroled. The hope lies in programs that are and have been implemented to not just help those fresh of prison to find a job but also make it possible to make a life for themselves, inmates are people too and they need help like everyone else. One particular solution that should be implemented is making sure that the inmate has their own separate housing to go to when they get either paroled or released, this prevents them from getting tempted to go back to their old lifestyle and thus eliminating their need to wander the streets.

A meeting with their probation officer and a mental health specialist should be the next thing on the agenda, talking with these individuals will help released inmates to try to find their niche as well as a job. Also, there should be mental health specialists available around the clock to talk if the recently released feel that they’re being tempted or driven back into the street; a weekly or biweekly intervention might be necessary to help the inmate feel that they matter. According to Nash (2014), “the programs that are in places for those released from prison are there for them alone, the state cares about them and keeping the recidivism rate low until it’s gone altogether” (Nash, 11, 2014).

A refreshment and mandatory vocational training as well as a psychological evaluation should be scheduled 2 days a week, those released from prison will be able to learn valuable life skills in order to reintegrate back into society. Also, going before the families to apologize for the pain and suffering that the inmate caused the family with the probation officer there, to give the family closure.

The final solution to helping inmates is if an inmate stays out of jail for more than 90 days without violating parole or probation then the rest of their sentence is gone.

References

Greene, J., & Rios, N. (2009). Reducing Recidivism: A Review of Effective State Initiatives. Justice Strategies, 1(1), 4-4.

Hinkle, G., & Bengs, P. (2009, October 8). Substance Abuse Programs Reduce Recidivism. Retrieved November 4, 2015, from http://www.corrections.com/news/article/22508-substance-abuse-programs-reduce-recidivism

Nash, K. (2014). PRe-Release Termination and Post-release Recidivism Rates of Colorado’s Probationers: Fy2013 Releases. 1(1), 1-1.