Prisons May Cause Individuals to Reoffend - 1621 Words

Introduction Currently, statistics indicate that 60 percent of criminals have reoffended at some point in their lifetimes. Many argue that prison causes an individual to reoffend, however many oppose this belief and argue that other factors cause a high rate of reoffending. This controversial topic raises multiple questions regarding prison and its role in reoffending, as well as what other factors can cause an individual to reoffend. The question then raised is: â€Å"to what extent does prison cause an individual to reoffend?† This question will help to determine the major factors causing individuals to reoffend, as well as give insight into additional statistics related to the topic. Numerous sources have been identified and critically†¦show more content†¦This results in prisoners not discontinuing criminal behaviour as they are not daunted by the consequences that are involved. Further, prison offers little help for prisoners during their sentence, which consequently makes t hem more likely to reoffend. A study conducted in 2010 determined that half of short term prisoners spent most of their days in their prison cells, and little was done by prison workers, such as counsellors, to help prevent them from committing crimes upon their release. As a result, these criminals are likely to display the same behaviour upon their release as they were not helped to alter their behaviour. In addition, prisons often try to destroy individualism, which results in high rates of reoffenders. Many prisoners are given uniforms, and their names are replaced with a set of numbers which help to identify them. This results in a loss of identity for prisoners which, in turn, causes them to not take responsibility for their actions. It has been identified that as a result of prisoners not taking responsibility for their actions, they do not see themselves as being responsible for the outcome of their actions. As a result, they are more likely to reoffend. Furthermore, corp oral punishment used by some prisons, is another factor believed to cause individuals to reoffend. Corporal punishment is defined as physical punishment, such as flogging, â€Å"inflicted on the body of one who is convicted of committing a crime.†Show MoreRelatedDoes Incarceration Affect Recidivism?1433 Words   |  6 Pages The United States is the world’s leader in incarceration with 2.2 million people currently in the nation’s prisons or jails. Incarceration is a widely argued topic with many understood viewpoints, and it directly deals with three main important correctional topics which are deterrence, rehabilitation, and recidivism. The definition of incarceration is the state of being confined in prison. 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