What can the government do to cut-off the reoffending rate?

Judicial system is the one of the most important mechanism which maintains the rule of law in
a country. The very concept of ‘Prison’ is meant to serve as an example for those who
condemn. But, it doesn’t ensure that a person is completely rehabilitated and wouldn’t sin
again. If it happens, then, this is reoffending. Hence, reoffending rate is a measure of the
percentage of adult and juvenile offenders who reoffend within 12 months of being released
from custody.
Depending on countries, reoffending rate varies from 23-60%. So, it raises question on the very
concept of prisons. Are they serving their purpose? Are prisons truly worth having? Therefore,
serious actions must be taken to cut-off this rate. Before discussing the potential measures, it is
of utmost importance to ponder over the causes of the reoffending rates.
The most important cause is the ‘tag of criminal’. Once a convict, always a convict. Even if the
sentence is served, the society wouldn’t give the ex-convicts the respect they deserve. This
unacceptance by the society forces these people to take-up crime as profession. Furthermore,
the inhuman conditions inside jail ‘cracks up’ people. The prisons are generally over-crowded
and unhygienic. Also, the presence of the other criminal elements elevates their anger and
forces them into the world of violence.
Of the many measures the government can implement, few of the most important ones are
maintaining better conditions in jails, providing better post-counselling and the system of
‘open-jails’.
Maintaining better conditions like healthy food, proper accommodation and work allocation in
jails will keep the convicts mentally healthy. This suppresses the latent anger in convicts. So,
when they come out of prison, they don’t commit more crimes.
Ex-convicts have a very fragile mental state. They are highly susceptible to external factors. In
few cases even if spoken loudly, convicts get depresses and angry very easily and quickly.
Hence, proper counselling sessions will enable such people to keep their emotions in check.
Psychologists can help them turn these negative emotions into productive thoughts.
Finally comes the concept of ‘Open-jail’. In this system there are no bars in jails, convicts are
allowed to live with their families, but they have to report back to prison area within certain
intervals. Also, inmates are allowed to have jobs. A prime example is open jail system in
Rajasthan from 1955. Even inmates accused of murder were allowed jobs of security guards,
health assistants and lawyers. Here, contrary to the general trend, convicts have refused to
move out of prison after the completion of their sentence. Furthermore, the reoffending rate of
this jail is less than a remarkable 1% which also are petty crimes.
Hence, if the above mentioned measures are quickly adopted, then, it is sure to decrease the
rate of reoffending.