RECIDIVISM

Recidivism in Criminal Justice System

Recidivism in Criminal Justice System

(Proposal)

Introduction

Background

The concept of recidivism as applied to criminology began in the late nineteenth century, at the beginning of the modern era of sociology. By the early twentieth century, criminologists were proposing general theories about what causes crime and causes it to persist, and the concept had achieved general enough use in crime and law enforcement discussions that the derivative term recidivist was in use. In 1928, Illinois developed an assessment instrument for predicting future crime to determine parole eligibility for inmates. The introduction of formal risk assessment protocols permanently integrated recidivism prediction into correctional sentencing. Risk assessment quickly proliferated through corrections agencies and so pervades the criminal justice system that now, as crime commands media headlines, the popular press uses “recidivism” without the need to define it.

Purpose of the Study

The primary purpose of the study will be to determine the impact of race (black vs. white) on the treatment of delinquents and the recidivism in the justice system

Problem Statement

Many programs and practices based on restorative justice principles are not cost effective and/or have not proven to reduce recidivism. However, others suggest that the goal of criminal justice is not to reduce cost or recidivism, but to do the right thing. Recidivism reduction may be a byproduct but not the fundamental objective of the restorative process, and the multidimensional goals of restorative justice may be best measured through personal and interpersonal offender development, offender adaptation and reintegration, victim healing, and citizen and victim fear of crime.

Significance of the Study

Assessing the impact of restorative justice-oriented correctional options depends on the accumulation of empirical data. While much of the information regarding the impact of restorative justice programs has been anecdotal, there is a growing body of empirical research suggesting that these restorative correctional options enhance understanding between the polar groups affected by crime, reduce fear of crime among victims and citizens, provide opportunities for victim healing and offender accountability, and (in some cases) reduce offender recidivism

Literature Review

It is important to understand how a study of interest or an author using the term recidivism defines it. Such definitions may vary considerably; one should know if recidivism in a particular study means any reoccurrence of the specific behavior or is defined as reoccurrence of a similar behavior or any new criminal acts. The definition is reflected in and dramatically affected by what one is able to reliably measure. To detect recidivism, reports obtained from a variety of sources are recommended. These include offender self-reports, victim reports, and criminal justice or child protective system reports.

Given that most acts of interpersonal violence occur in private and are known only to the offender and the victim and because some of the victims may be children or may be incapacitated in ways that make them unable to detect the crime (e.g., unconscious or rendered unconscious by the perpetrator), the person who is ostensibly in the best position to know if a repeat of the behavior has occurred is ...