Introductory Criminal Justice: Reentry and Recidivism

Reentry and Recidivism

What This Is

Reentry and recidivism refer to the process of reintegrating offenders back into society after their release from incarceration and the likelihood of them committing a new crime, respectively. This concept plays a crucial role in the criminal justice system, as it aims to reduce recidivism rates and promote public safety.

Key Definitions / Models / Steps

• Reentry: The process of reintegrating offenders back into society after their release from incarceration. Example: The Second Chance Act of 2007 aimed to improve reentry outcomes by providing funding for reentry programs and services.
• Recidivism: The likelihood of an offender committing a new crime after their release from incarceration. Example: The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) reports that approximately 76.6% of released prisoners are rearrested within five years.
• Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) Model: A theoretical model that assesses an offender's risk of recidivism, identifies their criminogenic needs, and provides tailored interventions to address those needs. Example: The RNR model was developed by Donald Andrews and James Bonta in the 1990s.
• The Good Lives Model (GLM): A theoretical model that focuses on promoting offenders' positive life skills and values to reduce recidivism. Example: The GLM was developed by Tony Ward and Shadd Maruna in the 2000s.
• The Pathways to Desistance Model: A theoretical model that examines the factors that contribute to desistance from crime, including social support, cognitive development, and life events. Example: The Pathways to Desistance Model was developed by Daniel Mears and his colleagues in the 2000s.
• The Cognitive-Behavioral Model: A theoretical model that focuses on changing offenders' negative thought patterns and behaviors to reduce recidivism. Example: The Cognitive-Behavioral Model was developed by Albert Ellis and Aaron Beck in the 1950s and 1960s.
• The Social Learning Theory: A theoretical model that suggests that offenders learn new behaviors through observing and imitating others. Example: The Social Learning Theory was developed by Albert Bandura in the 1970s.
• The Labeling Theory: A theoretical model that suggests that the labeling of an individual as an offender can lead to further deviance and recidivism. Example: The Labeling Theory was developed by Howard Becker in the 1960s.
• The Reentry Court Model: A court-based program that provides intensive supervision and support to offenders during the reentry process. Example: The Reentry Court Model was developed in the 1990s and has been implemented in numerous jurisdictions across the United States.
• The Residential Reentry Centers (RRCs): Facilities that provide housing and support services to offenders during the reentry process. Example: The RRCs were established under the Second Chance Act of 2007.
• The Community Supervision: A type of supervision that involves monitoring and supporting offenders in the community. Example: Community supervision is a key component of the reentry process and is typically provided by probation or parole officers.

Practical Application

In a realistic scenario, a probation officer is working with an offender who is nearing the end of their sentence. The officer has been assigned to provide intensive supervision and support to the offender during the reentry process. The officer's goal is to reduce the offender's risk of recidivism and promote successful reintegration into society.

To achieve this goal, the officer conducts a thorough risk assessment using the RNR model, identifies the offender's criminogenic needs, and develops a tailored intervention plan. The plan may include counseling, job training, and education, as well as regular check-ins with the officer.

The officer also works with community-based organizations to provide the offender with access to housing, employment, and other essential services. Throughout the reentry process, the officer monitors the offender's progress, provides support and guidance, and makes adjustments to the intervention plan as needed.

Common Misunderstandings

• Misunderstanding: Reentry and recidivism are interchangeable terms.
• Correction: Reentry refers to the process of reintegrating offenders back into society, while recidivism refers to the likelihood of an offender committing a new crime.
• Misunderstanding: The RNR model is the only effective approach to reducing recidivism.
• Correction: While the RNR model is a widely accepted and effective approach, other models, such as the GLM and the Pathways to Desistance Model, also have a strong evidence base and may be effective in certain contexts.
• Misunderstanding: Reentry courts are only effective for high-risk offenders.
• Correction: Reentry courts can be effective for a wide range of offenders, including those with low to moderate risk levels.
• Misunderstanding: Residential reentry centers are only for offenders with severe mental health needs.
• Correction: RRCs provide housing and support services to a wide range of offenders, including those with mental health needs, substance abuse issues, and other challenges.
• Misunderstanding: Community supervision is only for offenders who are on probation.
• Correction: Community supervision can be provided to offenders who are on probation, parole, or other forms of supervision.

Exam Tips

• Key Supreme Court rulings: The Supreme Court has issued several key rulings related to reentry and recidivism, including Graham v. Florida (2010) and Miller v. Alabama (2012).
• Theories and models: Be familiar with the key theories and models, including the RNR model, the GLM, and the Pathways to Desistance Model.
• Reentry court models: Understand the different types of reentry court models, including the Reentry Court Model and the Residential Reentry Centers.
• Risk assessment tools: Be familiar with the key risk assessment tools, including the LSI-R and the SARA.
• Evidence-based practices: Understand the key evidence-based practices, including cognitive-behavioral therapy and social learning theory.

Quick Recap

• Reentry refers to the process of reintegrating offenders back into society after their release from incarceration.
• Recidivism refers to the likelihood of an offender committing a new crime after their release from incarceration.
• The RNR model is a widely accepted approach to reducing recidivism.
• The GLM and the Pathways to Desistance Model are also effective approaches to reducing recidivism.
• Reentry courts can be effective for a wide range of offenders.
• Residential reentry centers provide housing and support services to a wide range of offenders.
• Community supervision can be provided to offenders who are on probation, parole, or other forms of supervision.
• The Second Chance Act of 2007 aimed to improve reentry outcomes by providing funding for reentry programs and services.
• The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) reports that approximately 76.6% of released prisoners are rearrested within five years.
• The Graham v. Florida (2010) and Miller v. Alabama (2012) Supreme Court rulings have implications for reentry and recidivism.