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Mass Incarceration Research Paper

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Running head: MASS INCARCERATION AND PRISONER RE-ENTRY
MASS INCARCERATION AND PRISONER RE-ENTRY

Mass Incarceration and Prisoner Re-Entry

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Introduction
The objective of a large number of the prisoner reentry programs is to ensure effective prisoner rehabilitation back to the community in order to reduce the likelihood of recidivism. While there have been increased efforts by the government organizations and other not-for-profit organization to promote effective reentry, the effectiveness of these programs are based on the efficiency of the strategies. Studies indicate that the rates of recidivism are greatly reduced where effective reentry programs are utilized (Baglivio, Wolff, Jackowski, & Greenwald, …show more content…
Economic impacts refer to the value lost, in monetary terms of incarceration and reentry (Besser & Hanson, 2016). There are various ways in which mass incarceration and prisoner reentry affect the economy of the society. The first is the loss of generating economic gains during the period of incarceration. For most inmates, the opportunities to generate income during incarceration are very limited. Additionally, the income from resultant activities which are engaged in are usually reverted to the state and the prisoner is allowed a very small portion of the income for maintenance (Besser & Hanson, 2016). This means that where there is mass incarceration, the economic development of the social group is usually curtailed and by extension resulting in the disparity of economic positions among social groups. In addition to this means of economic loss to the society, there is evidence which portends the fact that individuals, following incarceration are less likely to be afforded equal opportunities. Therefore, regardless of the academic and professional qualifications of the individual, they are still not afforded the jobs which match their knowledge and profession. As a result, there are increased rates of unemployment among the incarcerated groups. In the eventuality, and on account of the fact that these individuals would still need to fend for themselves as …show more content…
It is a multidisciplinary field in which the study of the criminal activities in a society is studied scientifically. Based on this fact, criminology is explained through a variety of theories including; psychoanalysis, functionalism, interactionism, econometrics, systems theory, postmodernism, and evolutionary psychology among others (Armstrong & Maruna, 2016). The theories were developed by various individuals and are divided into classical theories, positivism, and social structure theories. However, on account of the fact that most theories explain and predict socially deviant behaviors and the impact of the society on the likelihood of individuals to be involved in criminal activities, and the impact of those criminal activities to the individual and the society, there is an overlap of the theories. However, from an analysis of the definitions given forth by the theories, it can be noted that there are biophysical theories, social theories, and psychological

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