Proceedings of The National Conference On Undergraduate Research (NCUR) 2009 University of Wisconsin La-Crosse La-Crosse, Wisconsin April 16 - 18, 2009
Prison Culture, Education, and Recidivism Rates Caleb L. Fry and Lauren T. Rios Department of Anthropology Lake Tahoe Community College One College Drive South Lake Tahoe, California 96150 USA Faculty Advisor: Daryl G. Frazetti Abstract Given the number of inmates in the prison system and the high level of recidivism, it is important to seek out possible solutions to this growing problem. By implementing more educationally and vocationally oriented programs it is possible that current recidivism rates can be reduced, thereby offering some relief for existing overcrowding conditions. Therefore, it is important to identify how recidivism is related to a plethora of social problems.
3. Recidivism and Society At all levels of the correctional system in the United State a vicious cycle continues. It is the cycle of rising crime rates, rising recidivism, and the tremendous consequential costs. Despite well-intended attempts, we have not yet seen any real effective means for preventing criminal actions, increasing inmate success in correctional programs, or decreasing the rates at which former inmates are returning to the correctional system. On a national level, 95% of those incarcerated today will be released3, 60% of whom will recidivate4. Free society faces the burden of accounting for average annual cost associated with the operating of correctional facilities, as well as the costs of construction of new facilities. The mean annual costs of housing an inmate is $45,0005, and new facility construction averages $140,000 per bed.6: • • • • • • Few inmate resources upon release Economic stress to federal, state, and local governments Impact on social programs when funding is funneled to criminal justice needs Increased delinquency by children of inmates Greater impact of the prison environment on juveniles Greater reintegration difficulties for juveniles
As Steve Parker, Inmates Officer at the South Lake Tahoe, California jail states, “Inmates leave
SERVING TIME IN PRISON SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO STUDY TOWARDS A COLLEGE DIPLOMA OR UNIVERSITY DEGREE Though prisoners are criminals and may deserve punishment, they should be treated as human beings and educate them, in order to give them a chance to change and be useful for society in the future. Education is a human right, though it could be pricey. Many prisoners are very eager to learn and were just never given the opportunity. According to Hughes (2012), “Education in prison can help some…
of individuals involved with criminal justice system continues to rise at alarming rates. Since 1980, the incarceration rate has tripled. 1 in 20 Americans will spend time in prison during their lifespan. The numbers speaks for themselves. Currently there are an estimated 2 million people in U.S. federal and state prisons. Given the unprecedented rise of individuals now involved with the American criminal justice system and the soaring rates or recidivism, there is a great need for systemic changes…
Right to Education, Prison-University Partnerships, and Online Writing Pedagogy in the US is an article that focuses on whether or not prisoners should be able to have the opportunity to receive an education while they serve their sentence. It addresses the benefits, as well as some of the cons, that can develop from education rights; to the prisoners, as well as the community. The public and the educators are also addressed throughout this article. The controversy of whether or not education should…
1. Are you happy with the prison system in the United States? Yes/No 2. Do you think more money should be spent on education rather than prison? 3. The food in public schools is the same grade and quality as the food in prisons, does this surprise you? Yes/No 4. Guantanamo Bay prisoners, many of which are terrorists, have better healthcare than most Americans. Do you think this is fair? Yes/No 5. Do you agree with the statement, “The prison system in the U.S. does a good job at…
Understanding Rhetorical Structures B: Prisons should focus more on rehabilitation and education than on punishment. B: Prisons should focus more on rehabilitation and education than on punishment Understanding Rhetorical Structures To the Orlando Police Department and Orlando Federal Prison: As indicated by the research found, it is better to rehabilitate and educate a population of people rather than punish them for crimes committed. Even though they have…
U.S. Prison Costs After reading the essay, “A Homemade Education,” an autobiography of Malcolm X, I became quite curious about how many dollars America spends toward the prison system and how it affects our society. The autobiography itself covers how Malcolm X gained a homemade education simply by reading books while serving time in prison. He claimed, “I don’t think anybody ever got more out of going to prison than I did…prison enabled me to study far more intensively…sometimes as much…
Prison Needs Extensive Reform And Truly Educate Inmates To Reduce Recidivism Demetrius Greene Stevens-Henager College Author Note Demetrius Greene, Student of Stevens-Henager College. Demetrius Greene is Studying Computer Science at Stevens-Henager College. Correspondence concerning this paper should be addressed to Demetrius Greene, Stevens-Henager College Murray, Utah 84123 Contact: dsgreene801@outlook.com I am an advocate of educating prison inmates and preparing them for eventual…
Prison systems have been attempting to rehabilitate those who are incarcerated for centuries. However, according to a recent survey 1/3 of those who are released from prison usually find their way back there with in three years. This is a phenomenon known as recidivism and is a growing concern in our society. I believe the best way to utilize prison time in order to reduce recidivism would be to abolish the prison system all together. Instead of sending criminals to prison where they spend most of…
What were women’s prisons like before the 1800’s? How have they changed? Women’s prison before the 1800’s, were treated unfairly, sexually harassed, majority of them were treated or had the same treatment as the men were. They were also put in the same cell. The system didn’t really recognize what was fair or not back then, women, men and children were treated poorly, and punished violently for their criminal acts. Women also believed they were over worked and underfed in these prisons in the 1800s.…
Southeast Queensland prisons (Australia), both prior to prison and during their imprisonment. One hundred women completed questionnaires that solicited their views and feelings about their sentence, their children, their family concerns, their living arrangements before prison, educational experiences, employment status, financial survival prior to prison, circumstances that led to imprisonment, recidivism, their views on what would help them not to re-offend, aspects that prison has and has not changed…
