Crime Leads To Time and Time Back To Crime: The Effect Of Employment On Recidivism

Author

Connor WeissFollow

Date

2-28-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Human Services

Abstract

This paper opens with a general history of prison systems and the recurring issue of overpopulation in prisons, which leads to the main topic of recidivism rates amongst former offender populations who find themselves with work opportunities. A summary of this issue as a whole is brought up with possible solutions to address the issues, as well as the problems that can and would arise with the proposed implementation of a streamlined prison-based career exploration and job training program. Continuing through the paper, the focus shifts to the ethics of the topic. Ethics play a significant role when looking at the capstone project implementation of inserting career centers into prisons. Questions about funding, fairness toward the struggling general population, and the offender's histories come into play. In this section, this will be addressed, as well as, what this service would provide to criminal justice and corrections, as well as the long-term effects that could arise from the implementation of the prison program.

In the last leg of the paper, the focus shifts back to the incorporation of evidence-based practices into the Capstone project; the two main practices, those being RNR principles and cognitive-behavioral intervention, are introduced. Discussed in this section are the benefit of incorporating both of these practices, potential challenges that could arise, and why this is so important for criminal justice and corrections as a whole.

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