The probability that someone will repeatedly engage in illegal behavior is known as recidivism. Prisons are responsible for rehabilitating inmates' behavioral issues in order to promote harmony in society. Separating an offender from those who encourage crime is crucial for law enforcement because the idea of recidivism is seen as a societal paradigm. (Carcach, 1999). Recidivism among adolescent offenders is a concern that could develop into a significant obstacle for community members.
According to research, young people are committing more crimes. (Carney & Buttell, 2003). Because of this issue, policymakers are looking for different ways to reduce recidivism. One such measure is to try juveniles in courts meant for adults. This proposal has encountered a significant amount of criticism, precisely its capacity to keep Recidivism in check. In this regard, it would be beneficial to analyze the viability of this approach by laying emphasis on Recidivism reduction as well as proposed punishment (Abrams, 2006).
Purpose Statement
This study aims to assess juvenile tendencies to commit crimes repeatedly as well as available measures used to deal with this issue such as rehabilitation, punishment, and deterrence. Particular focus will go to individuals within an age bracket of 3 to 16 years who are under incarceration.
Background of the Problem
Recidivism, also known as Re-offending, is repetitive criminal behavior. Re-offending juveniles are young individuals below 16 years of age and who commit unlawful activities within Atlanta’s Georgia. The saying that an offender is likely to go back to crime, although disputable, has been justified as a result of a significant number of young individuals who have gone back to crime (Howell et al., 2014).
Although legislators in Georgia toughened the laws governing justice for crimes committed by young people, 20 years later and this state is experiencing a huge number of re-offenders going to prisons meant for adults (Walls, 2013). This is irrespective of where these youths are incarcerated for correctional purposes. Reforms initiated in 2014 brought the much-needed change in how juvenile offenders are processed at a cheaper cost to taxpayers. It is expected that these changes will reduce re-offending rates (Shuler, 2014).
References
Abrams, L. S. (2006). Listening to juvenile offenders: Can residential treatment prevent recidivism? Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 23(1), 61-85.
Carcach, C. (1999). Recidivism and the juvenile offender. Children and Crime: Victims and Offenders Conference. Brisbane: Australian Institute of Criminology.
Carney, M. M., & Buttell, F. (2003). Reducing juvenile recidivism: Evaluating the wraparound services model. Research on social work practice, 13(5), 551-568.
Howell, J. C., Lipsey, M. W., & Wilson, J. J. (2014). A handbook for evidence-based juvenile justice systems. Lanham, Maryland: Lexington Books.
Shuler, J. (2014). Juvenile Justice Reforms Spotlighted in 2014 | Georgia.gov. Georgia.gov. Retrieved 27 March 2017, from https://georgia.gov/blog/2014-01-24/juvenile-justice-reforms-spotlighted-2014
Walls, J. (2013). Georgia's troubled effort to reduce juvenile crime. Center for Public Integrity. Retrieved 27 March 2017, from https://www.publicintegrity.org/2013/03/25/12369/georgias-troubled-effort-reduce-juvenile-crime
