Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Afzal Ahmad *
Abstract: Recidivism refers to the tendency of a person who has been released from prison to re-offend
and return to prison. It is often measured by the percentage of individuals who are re-arrested, re-
convicted, or re-incarcerated within a certain period of time after their release from prison. This study
aims to identify the predictors of criminal recidivism in District Swabi. Data pertaining Ex-inmates'
data was collected through interviews. Social stigma, unemployment, lack of reintegration, personal
distress, violent prisoner, drug abuse, and lack of educational facilities were found to have effects on
criminal recidivism, as the respondents revealed based on their experiences, and it is also revealed that
such predictors if experienced, can lead to further reoffending. Various strategies have been proposed
to address recidivism, including providing education and job training programs for prisoners.
*
Department of Sociology, University of Swabi, KP, Pakistan. Email: afzaalkhan1994@gmail.com
(Corresponding Author)
Afzal Ahmad
that differentiate between recidivists and non- (Kerr, 1982). Correctional management worries
recidivists, as well as efforts to increase the about the risk prediction false positives and
accuracy of prediction algorithms as a foundation negatives. "False positives" are non-recidivists
for criminal justice judgments. anticipated to become recidivists, whereas "false
Rearrests, reconviction, incarceration, parole negatives" are those who became recidivists. If
revocation, rearrests or incarceration as an adult, risk forecasts impact parole decisions,
or reconviction for a felony or severe crime are administrators must worry about false negatives
all examples of juvenile recidivism. Recidivism is (parolees committing crimes in the community)
frequently dichotomized into recidivists and and false positives (delinquents denied release
non-recidivists. This definition does not consider who would not have reoffended if released).
the seriousness of the act, therefore a person who Predicting a low probability of occurrence leads
skips school and violates parole may be labelled to many false positives (Monahan, 1981). To
the same as a murderer. Sellin and Wolfgang evaluate prediction 7, first estimate the
(1964) used parole violation, misdemeanor, and population's base rate of recidivism (Ohlin and
felony outcomes to quantify offending severity. Duncan, 1949). Base rates do not predict
This strategy distinguishes outcomes but needs recidivism, but they may be used to assess
more extensive analysis than simple dichotomies rehabilitation therapy efficacy by comparing
(Kerr, 1982). Prediction studies need criteria post-treatment recidivism rates to the
specification. Holland et al. (1983) observed a population's base rate. Base rates may help
failure rate of 10–57% depending on which of evaluate prediction system efficiency. Risk
the six recidivism categories was used. Criterion groupings complicate prediction accuracy
measurements may also indicate law calculations (Kerr, 1982). "Mean Cost Rating" is
enforcement practices or issues with official the most prevalent metric for risk group
measures rather than re-offense rates. Recidivism separation and recidivism rates (Duncan. Ohlin,
studies have follow-up periods of a few months Reiss and Stanton, 1953). Prediction systems that
to 10 years. A murderer who commits a second outperform chance are valued. With a 10%
crime seven months after a six-month follow-up recidivism base rate, predicting a non-recidivist
study will not be labelled a recidivist. Hence, "at is 90% accurate. A prediction system with less
risk" time duration affects study results, than 90% accuracy cannot contribute at this base
specifically recidivism rates. rate. High or low-base rate populations make
forecasting accuracy harder (Kerr, 1982). Most
Knowing recidivism variables helps predict
predictor systems are evaluated retroactively by
future crime. Predispostional factors
applying the forecast to a known derivation
(demographic and criminal history variables
sample. Applying the forecast to a fresh or
including sex, race, and age at first arrest) and
"validation" sample of the target population
researchers (personality factors, length of
proves accuracy. The deviation sample
employment, and family relationships) have
maximises chance correlations, reducing the
isolated environmental or therapeutic variables.
accuracy rate in a validation sample (Kerr, 1982).
Risk is a likelihood that may be attributed to an
individual based on actual experience with Recidivism refers to the tendency of
comparable groups. Risk statements have success individuals who have been released from prison
and mistake rates. If 60% of male juvenile thieves or jail to reoffend and return to incarceration.
reoffend, 40% will not. If these rates are applied Drug abuse, on the other hand, refers to the use
to a parolee with a 60% likelihood of recidivism, of drugs in a way that is harmful to the
the forecast will be inaccurate 40% of the time individual's health or well-being. These two
issues are often interconnected, as drug abuse is a
common factor in recidivism. Drug abuse can records can help break down barriers to
lead to criminal behavior, as individuals may employment and reduce recidivism rates
commit crimes in order to obtain drugs or money (Siwach, 2018; Bowen, 2020).
to buy drugs. Additionally, drug addiction can Recidivism and marriage are also
impair judgment and increase the likelihood of interconnected in various ways. Marriage can
engaging in risky or illegal behavior. When provide individuals with a stable support system
individuals with a history of drug abuse are and a sense of belonging, which can reduce their
released from prison or jail, they may struggle to likelihood of returning to criminal behavior and
stay sober and avoid relapse, which can increase ultimately reduce recidivism. Research has
their risk of recidivism. Addressing drug abuse is shown that married individuals are less likely to
therefore an important part of reducing reoffend than their unmarried counterparts. This
recidivism. Treatment programs that address may be due to a range of factors, such as increased
drug addiction and provide support for social support, financial stability, and a sense of
individuals in recovery can help reduce the responsibility to their partner and family.
likelihood of relapse and improve the chances of Additionally, marriage can provide a motivating
successful reentry into society. Additionally, factor for individuals to change their behavior
addressing the underlying issues that contribute and avoid returning to criminal activity. For
to drug abuse, such as poverty, trauma, and example, individuals who are motivated to be
mental health disorders, can also help reduce positive role model for their spouses and children
recidivism rates. (Jaffe, Du, Huang & Hser, 2012; may be more likely to make positive changes in
Pearson & Lipton, 1999). .Recidivism and their lives and avoid criminal behavior. However,
unemployment are also interconnected issues. it is important to note that marriage is not a
Individuals who have been incarcerated often guaranteed solution to reducing recidivism. It is
face significant barriers to finding employment also possible for a marriage to be a source of stress
after their release, which can increase their risk of and conflict, which can exacerbate existing
returning to criminal behavior and recidivism. problems and potentially lead to criminal
The stigma of a criminal record can make it behavior. Overall, while marriage can play a
difficult for individuals to find jobs, as many positive role in reducing recidivism, it is
employers are hesitant to hire individuals with a important to address the underlying issues that
history of incarceration. In addition, a lack of contribute to criminal behavior, such as
education, job skills, and work experience can substance abuse, mental health disorders, and lack
make it challenging for individuals to compete in of employment opportunities (Kendler, et., al
the job market. These barriers can lead to high 2017).
rates of unemployment among individuals who
Recidivism and social stigma are closely
have been released from prison, which in turn
connected issues. Social stigma refers to the
can increase the likelihood of recidivism.
negative attitudes and beliefs that society holds
Addressing unemployment is therefore an
towards individuals who have been incarcerated,
important part of reducing recidivism. Programs
which can create significant barriers to successful
that provide job training, education, and
reentry into society and increase the likelihood of
employment opportunities can help individuals
recidivism. The stigma of a criminal record can
acquire the skills and experience they need to find
make it difficult for individuals to find housing,
stable employment and avoid returning to
employment, and educational opportunities, as
criminal behavior. In addition, policies that
well as to build positive relationships with family
support fair hiring practices and reduce
and friends. This can lead to social isolation,
discrimination against individuals with criminal
which in turn can increase the likelihood of needed to pursue educational opportunities.
returning to criminal behavior. Social stigma can Additionally, many correctional facilities do not
also contribute to a lack of support and resources provide adequate educational programs or
for individuals who have been incarcerated, as resources to support individuals in pursuing their
many people view them as undeserving of educational goals. Addressing these barriers to
assistance or second chances. This can make it education is therefore an important part of
difficult for individuals to access the help they reducing recidivism. Providing funding and
need to address underlying issues such as resources for educational programs, both inside
substance abuse, mental health disorders, and and outside of correctional facilities, can help
trauma, which can increase the likelihood of individuals develop the skills and knowledge they
recidivism. Addressing social stigma is therefore need to succeed. In addition, providing support
an important part of reducing recidivism. This for individuals as they transition from
can involve increasing awareness and education incarceration to the community, such as through
about the challenges that individuals who have mentoring and tutoring programs, can help them
been incarcerated face, as well as advocating for continue their education and build a brighter
policies and programs that support successful future. This present study was carried out with
reentry into society. Providing resources such as the following objectives;
job training, mental health services, and
substance abuse treatment can also help Objectives
individuals overcome the challenges they face
§ To know about the factors responsible for
and avoid returning to criminal behavior.
recidivist behavior among ex-prisoners in
Additionally, creating supportive and inclusive
the study area.
communities that welcome individuals who have
§ To put forward recommendations for
been incarcerated can help break down the
reducing the recidivist behavior among
stigma and reduce the likelihood of recidivism.
ex-prisoners.
Recidivism and education are also
interconnected issues. Education can play a key
Methodology
role in reducing recidivism by providing
individuals with the skills, knowledge, and Thus, this section will go through the research
confidence they need to successfully reintegrate design, the population of the study, the sampling
into society and avoid returning to criminal and sample size of the study, the tool for data
behavior. Research has shown that individuals collection, data analysis. A quantitative research
who participate in educational programs while design was adopted for the current study. For this
incarcerated have lower rates of recidivism than purpose, an interview schedule was developed to
those who do not. Education can help individuals gather information from respondents in face-to-
develop critical thinking skills, improve their face interaction. District Jail Swabi was selected
communication and problem-solving abilities, as the universe of the study. For the present study,
and increase their employability. In addition, 30 criminals from the District Jail Swabi were
education can provide individuals with a sense of randomly selected as a sample of the study. The
purpose and motivation to make positive changes survey made on a Likert scale was utilized to
in their lives and avoid criminal behavior. gather primary data from the respondents. A
However, accessing education can be well-structured interview schedule was adopted
challenging for individuals who have been to portray information from the study
incarcerated, as many lack the financial resources, respondents. The interview schedule was
educational background, and support system pretested before data collection to avoid any
repetition and ambiguity in the interview analysis of data simple frequencies and
schedule or to add any important question. The percentages, distribution was applied.
collected data was entered in SPSS and for
The findings of the study shows that almost agreed with the statement that social stigma is the
all of the respondents (90.0%) were strongly factor of recidivist behaviour of ex-prisoners. It
agreed with the statement that unemployment is could be in line with the fact that Social stigma
a cause of recidivist behaviour among Ex- can be a contributing factor to recidivism, as
Prisoners. This can be attributed to the fact that individuals who have been involved in the
Unemployment can be a contributing factor to criminal justice system may face discrimination
recidivism, as individuals who are unable to find and negative attitudes from others in their
stable employment after their release from prison community, which can make it difficult for them
may be more likely to return to criminal activity to reintegrate into society and lead productive
as a means of supporting themselves. lives. This social isolation and rejection can lead
Unemployment can also lead to financial to a sense of hopelessness and despair, which can
instability and difficulty meeting basic needs, increase the likelihood of recidivism. In addition,
which can increase stress levels and lead to mental most of the respondents (90.0%) strongly agreed
health issues, both of which can increase the risk with the statement that violent prisoners effect
of recidivism. Moreover, (96.66%) were strongly the behaviour of other prisoners. Likewise,
(93.33%) were strongly agree with the statement reintegration, personal distress, violent prisoner,
that personal distress cause recidivist behaviour of and social stigma). Findings of the study disclosed
ex-prisoner.Besides, more than half of the that, unemployment, lack of reintegration,
participants (60%) were strongly agreed with the personal distress, revenge, violent prisoner,
statement that lack of Reintegration is a factor of prison, stigma are proven to have a positive effect
the recidivist behaviour of Ex-Prisoners. Re- towards recidivism. Based on study findings the
integration is a crucial factor in reducing present study recommend that law and
recidivism among ex-prisoners. When enforcement agencies of Pakistan should
individuals are released from prison, they face a implement strict laws against Recidivist
number of challenges in re-establishing their Prisoners. Likewise, public awareness should be
lives and re-entering society. These challenges brought into society through different activities
can include finding housing, obtaining like seminars, conferences, social media, etc. to
employment, accessing healthcare and social stop Recidivist or Criminal behavior. Besides,
services, and reconnecting with family and employment opportunities should be providing
community. to the local people which is alternately reduce
recidivism behaviour because of their poverty
Conclusion and Recommendation and living conditions. By providing support and
resources to ex-prisoners, we can help to reduce
This empirical study was conducted in District
the risk of recidivism and promote successful
Swabi. In this study, several primary constructs
reintegration into society. This, in turn, can help
were used as predictors of recidivism in the
to improve public safety and reduce the societal
criminal justice system (unemployment, lack of
costs associated with repeat criminal behavior.
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