NCJ Number
86434
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 26 Issue: 2 Dated: (1982) Pages: 109-120
Date Published
1982
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This research review found that psychological, social, economical, educational, vocational, and employability factors relate directly to recidivism, as do incarceration effects, length of sentences, parole supervision, and drugs and alcohol abuse.
Abstract
Self-concept, by affecting a releasee's behavior and amenability to resocialization, appears to be a significant factor in recidivism. Further, researchers generally agree that ex-offenders are stigmatized and untrained competitors in normative society, making it likely that they will revert to criminal behavior after release. Emotional needs, such as the need for respect, dignity, belonging, counseling, and coping with frustration, have also been found to be directly related to recidivism. A common feature among parole violators is their lack of desire to change their mode of living, and inadequate self-discipline is significant in recidivism. Alternatives to imprisonment appear to be more successful in reducing recidivism than does imprisonment, and long sentences are particularly detrimental to the offender. Intensive supervision in the community seems to aggravate the offender's successful adjustment, compared to a more relaxed style of supervision. One of the greatest obstacles to the ex-offender's employment is his/her lack of skills and qualities demanded by the marketplace. In this regard, prison vocational training, educational, and work release programs have the potential to assist the ex-offender in finding employment. Most researchers have also found high correlations between drug and alcohol abuse and recidivism. Forty-four references are listed.