Repeat offenders/ recidivism
Offenders continuing to commit crime mean social control is not achieved. Recidivism is a reason for prison population increasing over the last 20 years. Prison population in England and Wales nearly doubled between 1993-2015 (prison reform trust)
Why is recidivism increasing
People are not receiving correct rehab and they need to prevent recidivism.
Which country has they highest prison rate in Europe
England and Wales
Which country has the lowest prison rate in Europe
Norway
How many people are currently in uk prison
approx. 80,000
What is the overall cost of a prison place in England and Wales
£45-50,000 a year
How much more likely is a self inflicted death in prison
15%
How many males reoffend within a year of release
40%
What is the reoffending rate of women following long and short sentences
Long : 58% Short : 73%
What is the reoffending rate of children and young people
Long : 63% Short : 70%
Who’s most likely to offend
Those who reoffending commit a further four offences each. Average number of reoffences per offender increased since 2009. - More previous convictions a person has, more likely they are to reoffend. 2017, half offenders who had 10 more convictions repeated again - Offenders who served prison sentence are more likely to reoffend than community sentence or fine holders - Males are more likely to reoffend than females - Offenders with drug/alcohol dependence, homeless with few qualifications and unemployed are more likely to reoffend - Dark figure of reoffending includes those who have committed further offences and not bee caught which is much higher
Recidivism and social learning theory
Offenders learn and copy from each other within the prison system. They can become better criminals learning and practicing skills from others to encourage reoffending on release
Recidivism and right realism
Right realists ague that prison works. Offenders are rational actors and consider the consequences of their crimes when deciding to offend. The high recidivism rates suggest this isn’t true
Recidivism and Marxism
Marxists argue that unemployed offenders are more likely to reoffend as they have little chance of meeting their needs living on nothing other than benefits - fits with Morton’s strain theory. Prisons are run by the bourgeoise who don’t reskill prisoners in order to keep them in their place
Civil liberties and legal barriers
Civil liberties can limit social control as people have certain rights. They restrict agencies such as the police in achieving social control.
What do they include
Freedom of speech Freedom of movement Freedom of arbitrary arrest Freedom of assembly Freedom of association Freedom of religious worship
Facial recognition problems
Breaches human rights and is unlawful by violating the privacy if people. There is a lack of legislation and safeguarding surrounding the method so police are allowed to use it at their discretion as they wish. being challenged for the creation of new laws to be brought forward
Abu Qatada case
The case demonstrates the issue of civil liberties being a limitation to achieving social control As of 2012 the ECHR ruled that the hate preacher could not be sent back to Jordan due to risk he would be tried by the use of evidence which was obtained by torture. Theresa May as home secretary at the time said how the legislation limited the ability for the UK to deport him by creating these new laws for blocking his deportation. he was eventually deported in 2013.
Short sentences - access to resources and support
Short sentences do not provide enough time for rehabilitation and limit access to appropriate courses.
Shortage of experienced prison officers - access to resources and support
A shortage of experienced officers can lead to inadequate support for prisoners, resulting in a lack of discipline and reduced chances for rehabilitation.
Limited opportunities for release on temporary licence - access to resources and support
Limited opportunities for release can worsen prisoner behavior and create bias, making rehabilitation less effective.
Inadequate training and education - access to resources and support
Inadequate resources can hinder rehabilitation efforts, leading to higher recidivism rates and unstable job prospects after release.
Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic - access to resources and support
The Covid-19 pandemic affected access to rehabilitation programmes and interaction training. More time spent in cells with no external staff, increasing frustration and negativity.
Other reasons for limit of rehab - access to resources and support
Prisons out of control with prisoners scared to leave their cells. Focusing on behaviour rather than rehab which is leading to out of control prisonerswith no access to solve behaviour so more crime being committed.
