Psychological, Sociological, and Economic Factors That Affect Recidivism Rates in Maryland
Psychological, Sociological, and Economic Factors That Affect Recidivism Rates in Maryland
Introduction
One important study in the field of criminology is that of recidivism. Once recidivism is explored and well understood, it may be possible to reduce the crime rate in certain scenarios. When researching recidivism, it is important to look at all factors that may be of influence to the offender. This paper will take a thorough look into psychological, sociological, and economic factors that may play a role in repeat offenders. Once knowledge is gained regarding common psychological, sociological, and economic issues that trigger repeat offenders, those issues can be addressed and the person can be rehabilitated after the first offense so that he or she does not continue circulating through the system.
Significance of the Study
The results of the study will be critical in reducing the rate of recidivism by addressing the psychological, sociological, and economic factors that affect recidivism rates. It is imperative that the causes of the increase in recidivism be established so that the justice system will have a basis on what needs to be done to reduce it.
Literature Review
Before exploring what causes recidivism, it is important to understand the definition of recidivism. The word recidivism, according to the Merriam Webster, is a tendency to relapse into criminal behavior. Recidivism is more common in certain crimes such as property offenders and drug criminals. The study of repeat offenders has been a major issue in hopes of reducing crime committed by individuals who have previously been involved in the judicial system. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics 67.5 of prisoners released in 1994 were arrested within three years, an increase over the 62.5 found for those released in 1983. Even though rearrest rates increase for property and drug offenders, the rearrest for violent offenders remained relatively stable (Langan Levin, 2002).
The 1994 recidivism study estimated that within 3 years, 51.8 of prisoners released during the year were back in prison either because of a new crime for which they received another prison sentence, or because of a technical violation of their parole. This rate was not calculated in the 1983 study. (Langan Levin, 2002)
According to the Organized Crime Digest in 2006 fifty-six percent of the violent felons convicted in the seventy-five most populous counties from 1990 through 2002 had a prior conviction (56 of violent felons are repeat offenders). Having this large amount of repeat offenders is a major issue facing criminal justice professionals. This large amount of repeat offenders clearly shows that all aspects of the criminals life need to be evaluated. It is critical to attempt to rehabilitate offenders before letting them merge back into society. As the judicial system continues to delve into the study of recidivism, sexual offenders are treated with caution. According to Ryan King, researcher at The Sentencing Project, the corrections system is clearly being very cautious about who is being released from prison for sex offenses. Its a very significant concern with the public (Associated Press, 2003).
One of the first things that should be explored with criminals upon their first offense is the stability of the offenders psychological state. J. Steven Lamberti, M.D. published Understanding and Preventing Criminal Recidivism among Adults with Psychotic Disorders. Lamberti begins the article by writing
The high prevalence of adults with psychotic disorders in the criminal justice system had received much attention recently, but our understanding of this problem is marked by diverging opinions. Mental health professionals point to deinstitutionalization and our fragmented mental health system as primary causes. Criminologists minimize the role of mental illness and contend that persons with and without mental illness are arrested for the same reasons. Meanwhile, practice guidelines offer little guidance to clinicians about how to address the problem. (Lamberti, 2007)
Majority of criminals possess some sort of mental illness. There must be a great working relationship between mental health professionals and criminologists. Oftentimes, a psychological problem has not previously been diagnosed for different reasons. Most criminals have not had access to a mental health professional until they find themselves in prison. Since mental health professionals are not always accessible, patients with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders are unlikely to receive adequate treatment within correctional facilities (Lamberti, 2007). The Department of Justice shows that inmates that have been diagnosed with a mental illness only receive medication to treat their disorder (Ditton, 1998). While criminals are in custody, their mental health should be carefully studied, diagnosed, and treated. If the criminals psychological disorders can be treated with therapy andor medication, successfully rehabilitating them may be much easier.
Because mental health has become such a pressing issue in the courts, mental health courts have been formed. The goals of mental health courts include
To improve public safety by reducing criminal recidivism to improve the quality of life of people with mental illnesses and increase their participation in effective treatments and to reduce court-and-corrections-related costs through administrative to incarceration. (Almquist Dodd)
Policymakers and practitioners have partnered to address the issue of psychological disorders among the incarcerated. Both recognized a great opportunity to address and rehabilitate the psychological problems. Not only will mental health courts help these offenders return to society as productive citizens, but it will also help with the costs involved with keeping them in prison or another type of institution. Upon the partnership of policymakers and practitioners, Mental Health Courts have become one of the most popular outcomes. The mental health court combines court supervision with community based treatment services, usually in lieu of a jail or prison sentence (Almquist, et al). If a mental illness plays a major role in the repeat offender, there is a good chance he or she will be better served through a mental health court. The offender has previously been in the system and obviously was not completely rehabilitated. Rather, they commit the same type or crime or a totally different crime. If a serious psychological disorder such as schizophrenia or depression is found, that person may not be best served by being incarcerated. With the implementation of mental health courts, the options of retribution as well as rehabilitation are increasing. According to Mental Health Courts A Guide to Research-Informed Policy and Practice
Mental health courts are more effective than the traditional court system and jails at connecting participants with mental health treatment services. Over time, mental health courts have the potential to save money through reduced recidivism and the associated jail and court costs that are avoided, and also through decreased use of the most expensive treatment options, such as inpatient care. (Almquist, et al).
Once the people studying mental health courts research a bit more who is best served by this type of court, the court can be improved and perfected. In 2006, eighty-seven mental health courts only accepted offenders convicted of misdemeanor crimes. Ten percent of the mental health courts accepted only those convicted of felonies while fifty percent accepted offenders convicted of both felonies and misdemeanors. Those organizing the mental health courts recognize the importance of diagnosing mental disorders and treating those disorders in hopes of decreasing the percentage of recidivism.
While mental health courts are in place, it is criminal recidivism as it pertains to the adult psychotic offender. Cognitive behavioral therapy reduces recidivism in both juvenile and adults (Clark, 2010, p.22). There are mental health professionals available to employees within the judicial system and within the prison, but in order to acquire the best results in reducing recidivism, the criminologist needs to be aware of causes. In order to develop effective prevention strategies, it is necessary to understand why adults with psychotic disorders enter the criminal justice system (Lamberti 36). Often, a fragmented mental health system is blamed on psychotic adults entering the system. However, this cannot be the only case as not all adults with serious psychological disorders become criminals (39). When researchers have studied criminal recidivism, they found that while a psychological disorder may be present and may play a role in the offender committing a crime, it is often not only the motivating factor for the crime.
In addition to the psychological state of the repeat offender, it is also relevant to explore the sociological past of the criminals. The prevalence of antisocial personality disorder is significantly higher among adults with schizophrenia than in the general population (Lamberti, 44). During 1981 and 1982, the Minneapolis Police Department conducted a study to determine the effect of offenders repeating a criminal act of some sort. The research showed that recidivism increased among those that did not conform to societys norms (Shermen Berk, 1984). When people are raised without the respect of what society considers normal, such as marriage and employment, they are at a higher risk of committing a crime. Without a normal sociological upbringing, the lines between right and wrong become intertwined. Once the experiment conducted by the Minneapolis Police Department culminated, Sherman stated, If we ask whether arrest influences the subsequent violence of those arrested, the answer are that, in general, it depends on the arrested persons stake in conformity. Arrested persons who lacked a stake in conformity were significantly more likely to have a repeat offense (686).
There is more in the realm of sociology to be explored than simply non-conformity. It is also important to look at that group of citizens committing the crimes and the repeat offenses. When theories and research revolving around chronic offenders, the question was raised is it a small amount of the population committing crimes or is it a large amount of one time offenders Robert Tillman discovered that, recent longitudinal studies of criminal careers have drawn attention to the existence of what are referred to as chronic offenders or career criminals who appear to contribute disproportionately to the crime rate (561). Since non-conformity to socio-norms among offenders and the fact that repeat offenders are contributing largely to the crime rate, it would be beneficial to incorporate employment into some offenders rehabilitation. Sociologists have explored turning points in peoples lives, including the lives of repeat offenders. During that research, come concluded things such as employment made for a turning point. With employment, the offender begins to feel important as well as a contributing factor to society (Uggen Staff, 2004, p.529).
Along with psychological and sociological disorders, the offenders current economic state plays a huge role in whether or not the offender will commit a criminal act once again. When offenders are able to find and maintain employment, their rate of repeating criminal behavior is reduced greatly (Myers 1983). When the economy is thriving and jobs are plentiful, offenders are able to find work. Employment keeps them busy, and they do not have free time on their hands to commit crimes. A good economy also means plenty of money is circulating therefore, there is not much need to steal from another (Boland 126).
Methodology
The research methodology will utilize existing data. It will constitute of a literature review and an analysis of existing data on recidivism rates in the state of Maryland. The researcher will coordinate with the local Justice Department and Bureau of Jail Management in order to get data recidivism rates. The data will be analyzed taking into consideration what psychological, sociological and economic factors have been found in existing literature
Discussion
Psychological disorders paired with substance abuse andor sociological issues are common factors among repeat offenders. The economy also plays a role somewhat when things are bad. Until rehabilitation is more individualized and focused more on the actual treatment of the offender, the recidivism rate will not increase. Treatment plans need to be personalized and it needs to deal with the mental disorders as well as show the importance of conforming to society. Criminologists should be more concerned with healing the offender and finding what keeps them out of trouble, rather than retribution.
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