Recidivism

Question 1

What is recidivism

Answer 1

Act of reoffending after undergoing judicial punishment

Question 2

3 explanations for recidivism

Answer 2

• becoming institutionalised
• non adherence to behviourist principle
• mental health and addiction issues

Question 3

Becoming institutionalised

Answer 3

• used to daily routines
• prefer prison life to outside world
• come from unstable background prison meets there physical and psychological needs

Question 4

Non adherence to behaviourist principles

Answer 4

• Start prison sentences long after they committed a crime
• goes against behaviourist principles because punishment needs to be received at the same time in order to be effective

Question 5

Mental health and addiction issues

Answer 5

• mental health issues due to prison environment or already suffer from issues
• not treated in prisons = likely to reoffend

Question 6

Strengths

Answer 6

Research
- Surveyed 102 Australia. Offenders about what would reduce the likelihood of reoffending
- offenders said they needs more preparations and access to support services after release in order to reduce recidivism
- institutionalisation leads to greater likelihood of recidivism

Question 7

Weaknesses

Answer 7

Self report
- might not be honest about their true reasons for reoffending and blame external factors

Research centred around prison environment and reoffending rate
- may be due to lack of support with mental a health issues and poverty
- reoffending rate affected by post release environment
- ignored by most researchers