Employment
Upon release employment is one of the greatest immediate needs for offenders returning to their communities. Research shows that many offenders have difficulty finding employment upon release. The majority of ex prisoners have difficulty finding employment because they have few job skills (Davis et al., 2012). Recently released offenders frequently face difficulties finding employment due to the collateral consequences arising from the stigma attached to their criminal records. For instance, Keena and Simmons (2015) reported that former prisoners are legally barred from a growing number of jobs and that employers are often unwilling to hire them for unrestricted jobs. Furthermore, the authors added that employers willing to hire …show more content…
Studies indicate that drug abuse among offenders is prevalent. Davis et al. (2012) reported that among prison inmates in the United States, 73 percent used drugs regularly prior to their incarceration. Research suggests that despite of the severity, only few inmates will receive intensive substance abuse treatment while incarcerated (Ray et al., 2015). For example, Bender et al. (2016) argued that 45% of state prisons and 68% of jails had no substance abuse treatment of any kind. Thus, when released, many offenders are returning to their communities with substance abuse problem and have difficulty overcoming drug dependency (Bender et al., 2016; Davis et al., 2012; Ray et al., 2015). Studies reveal that drug abuse is a major factor in recidivism. For instance, Ray et al. (2015) stated that drug-involved offenders are twice as likely to recidivate. This finding is consistent with the literature. Research on substance abuse suggest that many returning offenders may be rearrested and returned to prison because of their inability to refrain from substance abuse (Davis et al., 2012; Ray et al., 2015). In relation to recidivism, Berg & Cobbina (2016) found that drug and alcohol addiction was primarily responsible for failed reentry and reintegration …show more content…
Education is another central factor that contributes to recidivism. Studies reveal that many offenders have difficulty finding employment, typically due to limited or lack of education and have few job skills (Bender et al., 2016; Davis et al., 2012). As indicated in previous research in order to reduce crime and recidivism, ex offenders need assistance in gaining access to opportunities such as education and training, as well as employment, housing, insurance, and medical care (Bender et al., 2016; Davis et al., 2012; Keena & Simmons, 2015; Pogrebin et al., 2016). In accordance with the literature, Keena & Simmons (2015) found that an ex-offender’s education and employment were the most important predictors of postrelease recidivism. Keena & Simmons (2015) also added that education programs have provided a rehabilitative component to incarceration. Specifically, education programs have been used to better prepare offenders, or at least make them competitive in the job market, to prepare ex prisoners for their return to society and to reduce recidivism (Keena & Simmons, 2015). Lack of education often lead to limited employment opportunities, which in turn can lend way to criminal activities in order to obtain financial