Causes of recidivism can be varied. One of them could be the mental health issues that go unaddressed.
Easy access to media violence, family breakdown and poverty all contribute to an increase in psychological problems among people. When these problems are not addressed properly, they encourage at least some of these people to commit crimes. Putting them behind the bars is never a fool-proof solution. Imprisonment only confines these ‘patients’ to the limited space of their cell without relieving them of their mental problems. Consequently, when they complete their prison term and get released into the free world, they commit crimes again because the root cause of their problem has remained unresolved. In addition, criminals such as drug dealers and robbers continue to engage in illegal practices due to the difficulty in finding employment after serving a sentence. In order to make their ends meet, they have to go back to their old ways, regardless of the consequences.
To prevent released inmates from reoffending, we need to be aware of the fact that a prison term will not reform any person unless the real trigger for them is addressed. Providing education, psychological guidance and training for employment can be a solution as it helps the ex-convict to reintegrate themselves into the society. To be specific, national governments should provide counselling services to offenders, helping them learn how to control impulsivity and maintain a sound mind even in the time of adversity. Besides, prisoners should be given the opportunities to learn practical skills whilst they are inside. For example, if a former drug dealer can learn coding while in prison, after his release he is more likely to work in a technology company rather than peddling drugs again.
In conclusion, nobody is born a criminal. People commit crimes under the influence of socio-economic factors that affect their mental health. If these problems are addressed, a significant decrease in recidivism can be achieved.
Causes of recidivism can
be varied
. One of them could be the mental health issues that go unaddressed.
Easy access to media violence, family breakdown and poverty all contribute to an increase in psychological
problems
among
people
. When these
problems
are not addressed
properly
, they encourage at least
some
of these
people
to commit crimes. Putting them behind the bars is never a fool-proof solution. Imprisonment
only
confines these ‘patients’ to the limited space of their cell without relieving them of their mental
problems
.
Consequently
, when they complete their prison term and
get
released into the free world, they commit crimes again
because
the root cause of their
problem
has remained unresolved.
In addition
, criminals such as drug dealers and robbers continue to engage in illegal practices due to the difficulty in finding employment after serving a sentence. In order to
make
their ends
meet
, they
have to
go back to their
old
ways, regardless of the consequences.
To
prevent
released inmates from
reoffending
, we need to be aware of the fact that a prison term will not reform any person unless the real trigger for them
is addressed
. Providing education, psychological guidance and training for employment can be a solution as it
helps
the ex-convict to reintegrate themselves into the society. To be specific, national
governments
should provide counselling services to offenders, helping them learn how to control impulsivity and maintain a sound mind even in the time of adversity.
Besides
, prisoners should be
given
the opportunities to learn practical
skills
whilst they are inside.
For example
, if a former drug dealer can learn
coding
while in prison, after his release he is more likely to work in a technology
company
rather
than peddling drugs again.
In conclusion
, nobody
is born
a criminal.
People
commit crimes under the influence of
socio-economic
factors that affect their mental health. If these
problems
are addressed
, a significant decrease in recidivism can
be achieved
.