Observations And Implications Of Recidivism

Measuring recidivism is an important aspect of evaluating the effectiveness of corrections policies. The process involves tracking the number of individuals who return to the criminal justice system after being released from incarceration or completing a probationary sentence. However, the accuracy of this measurement can be impacted by various factors, including the definition of recidivism, the length of follow-up time, and the methods used to collect data.

For example, the definition of recidivism can vary greatly among studies, making it difficult to compare results. Some studies define recidivism as any new criminal offense, while others only consider serious offenses or rearrests. Additionally, the length of follow-up time can impact the results, as individuals who return to criminal activity may do so after several years. This can also be influenced by the methods used to collect data, such as relying on self-reported data or official records.

In the article “The Revolving Door at the Prison Gate” by Padfield and Maruna, the authors highlight several areas of research bias and areas of less substantive research in the field of recidivism. They note that many studies only focus on short-term follow-up periods and that the use of official records may undercount the true rate of recidivism. Additionally, they argue that many studies rely on self-reported data, which may not accurately reflect an individual’s criminal behavior.

Furthermore, the authors suggest that there is a lack of research on the potential impact of social and environmental factors on recidivism, such as poverty, education, and family support. They also argue that more research is needed on the long-term effects of rehabilitation programs and the overall effectiveness of the corrections system.

In conclusion, measuring recidivism is an important aspect of evaluating the effectiveness of corrections policies, but it is also a complex and nuanced process that is impacted by various factors. It is essential that researchers consider these factors when designing and conducting studies to ensure accurate and meaningful results. (267 words)

Sources:

Mosher, J. (2017). Introduction to corrections. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

Padfield, N., & Maruna, S. (2000). The Revolving Door at the Prison Gate: A Review of the Literature on Prisoner Reentry. The Howard Journal of Criminal Justice, 39(2), 119–136. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2311.00153

Scott, J. (2013). Criminal justice. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.