How to Reduce Recidivism Rates by Leveraging Entrepreneurship

What Is Recidivism? 

Recidivism is a fundamental concept in the criminal system that refers to the relapse of a formerly incarcerated individual into criminal behavior. For example, if an ex-offender is released from state prison, and weeks later is caught engaging in criminal behavior and found guilty. They return to prison and contribute to the recidivism rate as a reoffender. 

The recidivism rate is not the likelihood of someone reoffending, rather it is the actual rate at which ex-prisoners do re-offend in general.  

What Factors Affect Recidivism? 

The factors that affect recidivism are not unlike those that contribute to a first offense that caused the initial prison sentence. These factors don’t exist in a vacuum either. Multiple factors often compound to increase the likelihood of recidivism. These can also be referred to as criminogenic needs, otherwise known as the risk factors that influence re-offending. 

Race and Implicit Bias 

Around the United States, African Americans are imprisoned at 5 times the rate of whites, while Latinos are imprisoned at 1.4 times the rate of whites. These discrepancies are even more extreme in certain states. 

We simply can’t ignore the role that race plays in incarceration. The two are inseparable. Higher rates of imprisonment for people of color versus whites is the direct result of the implicit bias of law enforcement combined with structural racism, which has suppressed the rights of people of color throughout American history. 

Neighborhood Structure 

Just as it contributes to first offenses, neighborhood structure also contributes to recidivism rates. Neighborhoods with high unemployment, poverty, and fewer resources are more likely to experience criminal activity. Therefore the return of recently released convicts to these neighborhoods, where they often don’t have access to support or new income sources, leads to new crime. Even just one shift in zip code can increase someone’s likelihood to be imprisoned. 

Level of Education

Black men without strong educational backgrounds are eight times more likely to go to prison than white men. Overall, people with less education are more likely to engage in crime and go to prison than more educated individuals. High school dropouts are 3.5 times more likely to be arrested than graduates, and 68% of men in prison do not have a high school diploma. Education can occur within prisons and during reentry which can decrease recidivism. 

Substance Abuse and Mental Illness

In a Swedish study conducted on prisoners with substance abuse problems, researchers found that 69% of the cohort returned to the criminal justice system. They concluded that the risk of recidivism is increased by substance abuse, with a higher risk for those using injectable drugs. 

The relationship between mental health issues and recidivism is delicate. Released inmates with a serious mental health condition, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, are more likely to commit another crime and face reconviction. 

What Programs Reduce Recidivism? 

Programs that first conduct a risk assessment are the most successful at reducing recidivism. By determining who is low risk vs. high risk for committing a new crime, programs can be adequately distributed to meet the needs of people in the prison population. This is an essential step for the federal and state-level and should be conducted by each department of corrections. 

Programs that begin prior to release are the most effective. By working with the incarcerated population during their time in prison, they can gain familiarity with and understand the situations that contributed to their time in prison to begin with and how they can avoid those circumstances upon release. 

Examples of Recidivism Programs 

A number of reentry programs exist to combat recidivism and assist those looking to reintegrate into society. Community supervision is a form of follow-up for the recently incarcerated population, whether it’s through mental health courts, parole, or probation. These programs seek to secure public safety while providing a more structured environment for reentry. 

However, without early intervention and sufficient support, parolees who continue to face unemployment, substance abuse, or homelessness after reentry have a higher chance of re-entering the system. 

Mental health courts have proven effectiveness at reducing recidivism rates for people with behavioral health issues. Programs that use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy are also effective at reducing recidivism rates because they encourage a level of reflection and critical thinking that helps people understand their thoughts and feelings that, without recognition and coping strategies, can lead to criminal behavior. 

Substance abuse treatment programs are also effective at reducing recidivism, as they provide impactful support structures, equip participants with tools to evaluate their environment and behavior, and encourage individuals to make decisions that benefit their wellbeing. 

Research shows that prisoners who participate in job training programs have better employment outcomes than those who don’t. As inmates complete higher levels of education, their likelihood of reentering the prison system decreases substantially. 

Defy’s programs have overseen more than 5,200 prisoners through successful reentry, and they’ve effectively cut the recidivism rate in half for their graduates. Because of their work, the recidivism rate after one year for graduates from Defy programs is less than 8%, as compared to the national average of 30%.