Effects of Prison Sentence on Inmate’s Society Reintegration
Patha Wells
UNV-104
12-13-15
Daw
Effects of Prison Sentence on Inmate’s Society Reintegration The primary objective of incarceration is to ensure that an offender does not repeat the crime committed previously. This purpose it can still be achieved through other programs such as probation, which aims at rehabilitating prisoners from reoffending. In spite of the efforts fronted to ensure prisoners are not rearrested, recidivism continues to be the main challenge in this approach. However, strategizing probation can help it become successful in molding inmates’ behaviors. Also, certain principles can be adopted to ensure arrest objectives are still obtained through probation. An inmate reintegration into the society can seem difficult due to reasons such as sex offenses, poor work performance, and drug abuse. First, a large number of long-serving offenders have committed sexually related offenses and therefore, they should join the armed service. There is a high percentage of inmates under probation are linked to sexual offenses. Since these are serious crimes, for these offenders to be released so that they can join the program, there must be regular and close supervision of their conduct. They should also provide valuable accommodations and people who can sponsor for their release. These restrictions force the inmates to become responsible once they are released because they know if they do not comply there are consequences for following. It mainly provides more mentorship to those who have committed dangerous crimes compared to low-risk crimes. The program proves to be an alternative to incarceration that can rehabilitate long-term offenders such as those who have committed sexually related crimes. (Day, Ward, & Shirley, 2011). Second, drug abuse can lead to the users performing poorly in their places of work. Drugs have effects that can cause laziness and unethical behaviors on the job. Research shows that incarceration of a drug addict may not solve the problem and even after their release they do not become better (Graffam, Shinkfield, Lavelle, & Mcpherson, 2004). However, if they are rehabilitated through various processes such as regular drug tests, counseling and medication they become more active, and the result is an improvement in performance in their workplaces (Graffam, Shinkfield, Lavelle, & Mcpherson, 2004). The program will also help them acquire necessary skills that can help them live a profitable life rather than becoming a burden to the society. It is evident that those people who involve themselves in drug abuse are jobless but when they become equipped with knowledge and experience, they transit back to the society better. (Graffam, Shinkfield, Lavelle, & Mcpherson, 2004). More so, just like users drug traffickers are also potential members that were aware of the probation program. Some of the serious crimes that were a witnessed in the society occur from people who are usually believed to have engaged in drug abuse. Even after being apprehended, when they are brought back into the society they end up doing more harm. They may even punish those who fixed them or continue with their previous habits. However, taking these people through a rehabilitation program there is a very high possibility of minimizing drug abuse and the related social crimes (Kimora, 2008). Also, drug traffickers should be probated so that they can realize the risks they are causing to the society and be advised to do other legal business. Research has proved that those inmates who have undergone through the program are less likely to be apprehended than those who quitted before completion (Kimora, 2008). Although many offenders prefer being incarcerated rather than following the strict guidelines of probation such as necessary testing, general work, and counseling. Results show that inmates who end up in probation programs become better citizens. However, keen interest must be taken so that probationers are held accountable for their behaviors. If they fail to comply with the set rules and engage in crimes during the same period, there must be punitive measures to be taken to the probationers so that the program can gain public confidence. (Kimora, 2008). In conclusion, it is evident that those inmates who are serving long term incarceration can be transited back into the society through involving them in a rehabilitation program. This service can help in minimizing re-arrest of offenders since they come out transformed rather than mere incarceration that aims at punishing them. Social crimes such as sexual harassment, drug abuse, and unemployment being eliminated. Therefore, probation should be adopted since it is an effective way of bringing behavior change without subjecting the inmates to any form of torture.

References

Day, A., Ward, T., & Shirley, L. (2011). Reintegration services for long-term dangerous offenders: A case study and discussion. Journal Of Offender Rehabilitation, 50(2), 66-80. doi:10.1080/10509674.2011.546225
Graffam, J., Shinkfield, A., Lavelle, B., &Mcpherson, W. (2004). Variables Affecting Successful Reintegration as Perceived by Offenders and Professionals. Journal Of Offender Rehabilitation, 40(1/2), 147-171. doi:10.1300/J076v40n01-08
Kimora. (2008). The Emerging Paradigm inProbation and Parole in the United States. Journal Of Offender Rehabilitation, 46(3/4), 1-11.