One of the major problems in knowing how to deal with criminals is the high recidivism rate. According to current figures, 62 percent of state prisoners will be re-arrested for a crime within three years of their release, and of these, 41 percent will return to prison (Pierce, 2000). Recidivism rates are highest in the first year after release, and are highest among young offenders: three out of four inmates under the age of 17 are re-arrested, and half will go back to prison (Sudo, 1989). Obviously there is something wrong with the way the justice system is punishing criminals for their crimes: it does not reform them, or deter them from committing further crimes once they are released from prison.
Getting tough on criminals with longer sentences does not seem to be working. The resultant overcrowding means more money is needed to house inmates, so less is spent on rehabilitating them. Though many prisoners get work in prison, it is often in jobs which they will not be able to pursue once they are released, such as cleaning highways in the California system (Ruether, 1997).
For juvenile offenders, nine states have systems which impose a military style of discipline known as "shock incarceration," intended to shock the kids into going straight (Kane, 1989). Thirty other states considered employing the same type of system. The results have not been impressive: just as many graduates of such programs end up back in prison within three years as do those paroled from a general prison program. The programs seem to have the most effect on young criminals who would probably have benefited just as much from community service, and has no effect on street crime.
With the "war on drugs" throwing more and more people in prison, overcrowding is forcing the release of many nonviolent criminals. Because of the overcrowding, conditions in prisons foster criminal behavior, and can turn even a mild inmate into a violent thug (Smolowe, ...