Question

Many criminals commit further crimes as soon as they released from prison. What do you think are the causes of this? What possible solutions can you suggest?

Model Answer

Prison is often seen as the best way to tackle the problem of crime in society. However, this ignores the fact that around thirty percent of prisoners reoffend within ten years of their release. This high level of recidivism means the current criminal justice system is not working, and the government needs to consider new solutions to the problem.

The main reason that criminals commit crimes after they are released is economic necessity. Even when entering prison, inmates tend to have lower-than-average educational attainment, making it difficult for them to find employment. Upon leaving prison, their employment prospects are even worse, as many employers balk at giving a job to someone with a criminal record. As a result, many former prisoners face economic difficulties, tempting some back into a life of crime.

If ex-prisoners mostly commit crimes in order to support themselves, then the solution is to provide them with more job opportunities when they are released. This can be done in one of two ways. Within prison, inmates can be encouraged to learn skills that will be helpful on the outside. Once they are released, they can be enrolled in government schemes that connect ex-convicts with potential employers. The cost of such programmes will be offset by the savings made by reducing the prison population. If individuals have a realistic path to building a better life, they will be less likely to reoffend.

In conclusion, keeping people out of prison is a complex issue, but a partial solution to recidivism would be government schemes that help offenders find paid employment.

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