Many prisoners re-commit crimes because they find it difficult to cope with “real world” after spending years in prison. What can be done to help them adapt to the new reality after leaving prison? Let’s look at what happens when they are released, why it’s possible for them to re-commit crimes, and what could be done to help inside and outside of prison.
More than half of the prisoners in the world will re-commit crimes because they can’t adapt back into the “real world.” According to an article, “Each year more than 60,000 criminals are given sentences of less than a year for theft and violence offences. On average, they will have committed 16 crimes before going to jail” (Dore).
What makes these individuals re-commit crimes? “Studies show that many offenders tend to end up back in prison when they can’t find employment or if they have strained family and marital relations” (Chamberlain). It’s not because they like the prison life. It’s because there’s nowhere else to go and nothing else to do. So, they choose a life in prison because it’s shelter and food.
It’s not a surprise that prison life is not easy. It’s not supposed to be. When you commit a crime, then you should be punished. However, we are all still human beings and can be tormented with some harsh realities of prison life. “…prison is painful, and incarcerated persons often suffer long-term consequences from having been subjected to pain, deprivation, and extremely atypical patterns and norms of living and interacting with others” (Haney). When it’s time for them to re-enter the ‘real world,’ it’s going to be a challenge for them.
What can be done to help these individuals not re-commit crimes and stay out of prison? There are programs like in New York. “New York City does have psychosocial groups designed to support people’s mental health needs while providing an opportunity for them to socialize,” but it’s not enough (Yeager). What can be done inside the prisons can be the real game changer. Once it’s close for them to be released, then they should be able to go to a program that integrates life outside. Like, practicing for a job interview, cooking for yourself, socialization skills, and mental health awareness.
However, there are also measures that they can do themselves to ensure they are well off from entering prison again. Some of them are: “Associating with the right people, living arrangement, finding a job, and to seek counseling” (Wilkins). It may sound difficult, but can lead them on the right path towards settling back into the ‘real world.’
In conclusion, there are certain measures that they can do within the prisons to help prisoners who are almost out, reenter the ‘real world’ and stay there. There are also measures that they can do within themselves to ensure this. Former prisoners who have served their time and have proven themselves to be possibly upstanding citizens again, should be given a chance to reenter the ‘real world’ and commit to society. They can’t do that without a little help though.
References
Chamberlain , Jamie. “Life After Prison.” Monitor on Psychology, American Psychological Association, May 2011, www.apa.org/monitor/2011/05/prison.aspx.
Dore, Heidi. “60% Of Criminals on Short Prison Terms Will Re-Offend.” Express.co.uk, 10 Nov. 2013, www.express.co.uk/news/uk/442354/60-of-criminals-on-short-prison-terms-will-re-offend.
Haney, Craig. “The Psychological Impact of Incarceration: Implications for Post-Prison Adjustment.” ASPE, 23 Mar. 2017, https://aspe.hhs.gov/basic-report/psychological-impact-incarceration-implications-post-prison-adjustment
Wilkins, Alice. “How to Adjust to Life After Prison.” Classroom, Leaf Group Association, http://classroom.synonym.com/how-to-adjust-to-life-after-prison-12081723.html
Yeager, David. “Older Inmates Adjust to Life Outside Prison.” Social Work Today, 2012, p. 28, www.socialworktoday.com/archive/012312p28.shtml.
