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Recent research suggests that the majority of criminals who are sent to prison commit crimes after they are released.

Why is this the case?

What can be done to solve this problem?

REPORTED ON 06 NOVEMBER, 2021

It has become a fact that most ex-convicts are now being transformed into habitual criminals. There are two main reasons behind this and the issue can be addressed effectively when an integrated approach is put forward and implemented.

 The cardinal reason behind this trend is because of the fact that prisons have now become the ‘universities of crime’. To be precise, instead of correction centres, most prisons are now acting as places where an inmate can learn innovative techniques to commit more serious crimes. To explain it further, once the convicts are confined, most of them are in constantly in touch with habitual criminals, and they are frequently given ‘expert guidance’ and ‘emotional assistance’ throughout the stay. The most associated cause is the ineffective way these people are re-integrated to the society. When these people are constantly side-lined and socially isolated, they eventually become anti-socials.

 In order to address the issue effectively, the first step is to be taken by the authorities. To be precise, the prison authorities should avoid circumstances in which habitual criminals contacting people who have committed minor crimes. In addition, avoiding isolation and providing opportunities to engage prison inmates in interesting and productive activities would make great changes. Vocational training would also be beneficial for them in future. From the social perspective, an ex-convict should be seen without prejudice. The society needs to understand the fact that the root cause of any crime lies with a psychological problem, and hence they should prevent circumstances which create hostility among those who come out of prisons.

 To conclude, the fundamental contributing factor which creates re-offenders stem from the prison itself and the society acts as the secondary factor. When creative measures are formulated and implemented in these two areas, the issue can be solved most successfully.

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