It is well known that most prisoners who ultimately leave prison and return back in society do not get supervised in any way. This is seen as a consequence of the loop holes in the prevailing law which does not provide for exhaustive provisions to supervise them after their release. This results in the increase in the recidivism rate. Hence there is a strong need to examine the issue in finding solution to the increasing incidence of criminals reverting to their past activities after they are released from prison.
From the point of view of public safety there is strong reason for authorities to worry on the release of prison inmates. Several research conclusions have concluded that those people who have been behind bars are not much prone to succeed in leading a normal life in a traditional society. They have the tendency to indulge in substance abuse and to suffer from problems related to mental health.
They cannot get housing on a permanent basis nor do they get appropriate support from the family in assisting them to adapt to a civilian life after having been behind bars for a substantial period. Some landlords and employers are excluded by law from renting to or employing previous offenders while most people wish to refrain from dealing with them in any way. In view of the barriers imposed on them and given their past tendencies, quite a few of them end up to their old ways and return to prison for having committed similar offences.
According to Belinda Rodgers McCarthy, Benard J. McCarthy and Matthew Leone (2001), the solution to these problems lie in adopting a proactive strategy so that there is post release supervision by imposing conditions that include drug testing, curfews and compulsory attendance in programs for anger management. Programs can also be organized for them so that they overcome their inherent shortcomings and improve their caliber for better employment opportunities. Such measures facilitate for the ex prisoners to adapt to civilian life and dissuades them from indulging in further criminal activities.
It must be understood that only surveillance cannot fulfill all public safety goals in this regard. The pattern of the ex inmate’s anti social behavior can differ considerably depending upon his circumstances. A drug user’s close surveillance will enable the authority to catch him and counsel him to mend his ways. Offenders with shortcomings in educational skills or with mental health problems can be dealt with accordingly to make them more confident and competent to make a living in social life. Law enforcement authorities often use the carrot and stick strategy in ensuring that former delinquents adopt a positive way of life.
This is possible through effective supervision and surveillance and if there is a better conformity with the conditions of supervision, lesser resources are required to be provided for the given functions.
Once a prisoner is released the first six months are crucial since most benefits of surveillance and supervision are achieved within a year of such release. In making a trade off in cost, it is better that a large number of such offenders be supervised for shorter durations since post release supervision entails surveillance of ex inmate activities and pushing them to adopt ways that are in keeping with community values. The building of such a system of post release supervision will entail higher investments in resources but over some time it will substantially save on money and increase the sense of public security.
It has been well researched and concluded that the more the supervision of ex inmates, the more they are watched, which enables authorities to find and identify those ex prisoners who have started to engage in criminal activities again. It is fine to have increased initial costs in introducing the system, and if implemented in right earnest the expenses in regard to criminal justice will be substantially reduced in the future.
References
Belinda Rodgers McCarthy, Benard J. McCarthy, Matthew Leone, Community-Based Corrections, 2001, Wadsworth Publishing.