Do Prisons Work Essay

This accept will examine the say-so of authentic prison house house discourse computer classmes in Australia, menses Zealand, S prohibitedh due east Asia, fall in States of America in rehabilitating or domesticizeing an man-to-man and coinciding recidivism charge per units upon a pris unscathedness and besides(a)rs fall by the wayside. prison establish handling classs for waken wrongdoers in western sandwich Australia, modern South Wales and brand- newborn Zealand ar examined and recidivism rate compargond. Treat handst chopines for offenders with do medicines and alcohol issues and the various strategies within the fell justice system such as diversion, education and medicine judiciary programs are examined and differences explained.Rehabilitation programs such as education, bread and butter skills, employment and cognitive behavioral discussion are explained and enquiry discussed. Conclusions will be drawn outlining programs with the toweringest train of recidivism both in westerly Australia and globally. The aught works mantra (Martinson) 1974, is seen to be refuted and handling is seen to be successful when it is matched to the criminogenic necessitate of the offender (MacKenzie, 2006).Future recommendations are do in regards to the wish for correctional provide to prize each offender as an individual(a) with different needs, and to therefore fol deplor sufficient up programs that will give the offender the ruff change of reform or reclamation (MacKenzie, 2006). in that location are many discourse and rehabilitation programs before long used in department of corrections around the world work outed at reducing recidivism (MacKenzie, 2006). A heuristic appeal classifies various strategies into incarceration, discourse programs and rehabilitation (McKenzie, 2006).These interventions demo different strategies for controlling crime in the community, and have round theoretical principle for expecting a r eduction in crime, disrespect cosmos different in the mechanism anticipated to produce the reduction (MacKenzie, 2006). immurement deprives the prisoner of opportunities to commit crime, usually with de extion in prison or in some states capital penalization (McKenzie, 2006). Rehabilitation is rig on the come before that hoi polloi can change, and if sound judgment is to open to rehabilitation it must be open(a) of measuring change (MacKenzie, 2006).The Static 99 try appraisal measure is an outside(a)(a) Tool that is presently used to assess recidivism levels of agitate offenders (Hoy & Bright, 2008). Rehabilitation orientated discussion programs include education, cognitive skills and employment (MacKenzie, 2006). punitory educational programs are seen to have hopeful results in lowering levels of recidivism in prisoners (Stevens & fightd, 2007). kaki Bukit Prison School ground in Sin bed draw outore is seen to be successful in reducing recidivism by aiming to creative a learning environs based on Peter Senges book The one-fifth Discipline (Senge, 1990).Part of the discipline involves inmates winsome in the The Reflective Thinking feedment (Oh, 2007), an education course of instruction which aims to assist prisoners in reflecting on past destructive behaviour and to encourage appropriate restitution. The school is erect by a multidisciplinary team of teachers, prison officers and counsellors who work together to help students in their studies and in their journey of change to live on responsible, thinking citizens (Tam, 2007). For inmates who stainless their studies at Kubit Bukit warmness and were released in 2000 and 2001, the 2 year recidivism rate was 24% (Oh, 2007).Acacia, Western Australias neverthe slight private run prison, is operated by Serco and aims to sum service to animateness (Needham, 2009). Storybook Dads is an example of this and aims to reconstruct prisoners, break the cycle of reoffending and close the gap surrounded by a child and his amaze (Needham, 2009). The program opens up a broad range of educational opportunities ranging from writing their take in stories to learning how to use a data processor (Needham, 2009). The main objective of the program is to clear fathers and for children to feel loved, which then improves the lives of the prisoners children (Needham, 2009).Prisoners are given the opportunity to figure their childs favourite bedtime twaddle on a CD with run effects, personal message and CD c all oer (Needham, 2009). Current research indicates that fathers who have been jailed tend to withdraw from life outside the prison and subsequently lose converge completely with their children (Needham, 2009). Statistics show that six out of ten children whose father is a current or ex- prisoner become have-to doe with in criminal activities and consequently realise themselves in similar situations to their fathers in prison (Needham, 2009).The Storybook Dads p rogram runs in eighty prisons in the United Kingdom and maintains family connections and reduces reoffending (Needham, 2009). The National paternity Initiative runs a similar course of instruction called the Incarcerated Fathers Program which operates at Branchville punitive Centre in atomic number 49 (Gosnell, 2006). It is similar to Storybook Dads programme in helping prisoners reunite with their children and families (Gosnell, 2006).virtuoso study monitored 186 men for three historic period after release from prison with unaccompanied five returning (Gosnell, 2006). Three men returned for microscopic criminal offenses whilst two came back on a long term derriere indicating low levels of recidivism, when in comparison 70 percent of men released from prison unremarkably return within an average of one to three years (Gosnell, 2006). Prison based interposition programs offered in Western Australia for sex offenders are the Sex Offender Program, endemical Sex Offender and Intellectually disenable Offender (Macgregor, 2008).Community based nourishment programs are offered for each type of offender, the current program for disabled people being the Safe Care Program (Macgregor, 2008). In Australia, most handling programs for sex offenders are based on cognitive behavioural therapy aimed to sharpen the criminogenic needs or danger factors of offenders (Macgregor, 2008). If these needs are neutered the chances of ever-changing the criminal behaviour are higher(prenominal) in the range of 10-30% (Blud, 1999). The programs are seen to be strong in that they work to alter many of the cognitive deficits displayed by offenders (Blud, 1999).They target the known gamble factors for familiar reoffending which are cognitive distortions, empathy deficits and wide ranging self prescript (Hoy & Bright, 2008). A Western Australia study in 2002 measured recidivism rates of 2165 sex offenders referred to the manipulation unit from 1987 to 1999 (Greenberg, 2 002). The study compared treated offenders with non-treated offenders, with no significant purposes on effects of treatment on sexual recidivism (Greenberg, 2002). taxonomical differences between the non-treated and treated company in the Western Australian study, such as endemical status, risk category, and length of moveence whitethorn have impaired comparisons of multitudes (Lievore, 2004). Inconsistencies crosswise the data, methodological limits may have limited the study from being able to identify less significant treatment outcomes, and to identify sources (Greenberg, 2002). At present a prison based treatment program physical bodyed for cock-a-hoop sex offenders is offered in every stain and State Australia, despite many having as yet to be evaluated (Macgregor, 2008).An evaluation conducted in New South Wales on the Custody establish Intensive treatment program for high risk offenders (Hoy & Bright, 2008) compared recidivism rates of 117 treated offenders with tho se predicted by the STATIC 99 risk assessment measure, an internationally used tool that assesses the recidivism risk of sex offenders (Hoy & Bright, 2008). STATIC 99 risk probabilities are based on a large sample of sex offenders in the United Kingdom and Canada (Hanson & Thornton, 2000). The study found that 8. 5% of sex offenders treated at the Custody Based Intensive Treatment programs committed further sexual offences in 3. 5 years, compared with a predicted sexual recidivism of 26% (Hoy & Bright, 2008).An evaluation was conducted on the Te Piriti finicky Treatment Program for child sex offenders in New Zealand (Nathan, Wilson & Hillman, 2003). Te Piriti incorporates cognitive behavioural therapy methods in combination with Tikanga Maori, holistic practices derived from world view and a need to understand the universe (Nathan, 2008). This study compared recidivism rates of Te Piriti graduates with a control convocation used in the Kia Marama study (Nathan, 2008). In comparis on with the non-treated groups sexual recidivism rate of 21%, a small 5. 7% of offenders who completed the programme at Te Piriti reoffended sexually (Nathan, 2008).Maori sexual offenders were in any case found to have a overconfident response to the program (Nathan, 2008). Only 4. 41% of Maori offenders reoffended sexually after receiving treatment at Te Piriti (Nathan) 2003 compared with 13. 58% of Maori Kia Marama graduates (New Zealand corrections, 2003). These results are validating of the argument that programs are much effective in reducing sexual recidivism when the design and death penalty are attuned to the cultural ambit of the offenders (Macgregor, 2008).Currently, there are various strategies within the criminal justice system that resolve to offenders with medicate and alcohol issues (Makkai & Payne, 2003). At one end of the spectrum is the diversion by guard of first offenders or low level offenders into education or treatment programs (Makkai & Payne, 2003) . At the opposite end, is the diversion of repeat drug weighent offenders facing imprisonment into intense drug mash programs (Makkai & Payne, 2003). Drug courts aim to divert both men and women offenders (Freeman, Karski & Doak, 2000).The elements of the New South Wales drug court program are treatment social support and the development of living skills regular reports to the court and regular urine testing (Freeman et al. , 2000). During the 12 month program, participants are expected to stabilize their lives by not utilize drugs to savoir-faire health issues, and to cease criminal practise (Freeman et al. ,). Ideally, they consolidate their situation and develop life and job skills, and financially reintegrate fully, comely financially independent (Freeman et al. ,).Analysis of the data indicates a high success rate, with but thirteen percent of the participants having committed an offence on completion of the program, indicating a low level of recidivism (Freeman et a l. ,). A promising admittance to combating illicit drug use has been utilize at the Metropolitan Womens correctional Centre in Victoria (Peachy, 1999). Carniche program includes core courses in drug awareness, drug education and Alcoholics unknown, which provides a group therapy environment and a twelve step program based on abstinence and group support (Peachy, 1999).The program runs for three to quaternary months, after which the prisoners are reintegrated into the mainstream prison state (Peachy, 1999). The program involves a maximum of ten prisoners who live in a residential unit separate from the main prison population who participate in intensifier drug group and individual management (Peachy, 2000). The program has not been evaluated for its effect on offender recidivism and its success may depend on the support available to prisoners upon release (Peachy, 2000).A new program for women offenders, title Reconnections, completed its pilot phase at Bandyup Womens prison in phratry 2009 (Porter, 2009). The program was based on therapeutic interventions to assist women in looking at past trauma and abuse in addressing their offending behaviour (Porter, 2009). Although the program was schedule to commence in early 2010, financial support problems prevented the commencement of the program (Porter, 2009). Despite the program failing to commence prison doors at Bandyup continue to open to volunteers and visitors, a move imprisoned women value ( division of strict Services, 2005).The Western Australian Department of Justice allows over 3,000 volunteers who provide support for victims of crime, prisoners and juvenile detainees (Department of Corrective Services, 2005). Western Australias drug rehabilitation is seen to be a part of the whole sentencing process both in prison and the community for a prisoners release on parole (Cox, 2007). There is a continuum drug users who go done the Perth Drug judicatorys treatment programs are less likely to reoffe nd than those sent to prison (Cox, 2007).Recidivism rates for offenders using the courts drug treatment programs were 17 percent lower than those for offenders sent to prison (Cox, 2007). The study assessed 250 drug users, dealt with the Drug Court who were charged with offences such as burglary, larceny or fraud between 2000 and 2003 (Cox, 2007). In comparison to Western Australia one in every 100 adults is locked up in America and there punitive corrections system do not catch a Western onrush, incorporating resources such as Drug Courts to help prevent re-offending (McClatchy, 2008).Kansas has been seen to consider incarceration policies, with a focus on reserving prison for the worst criminals who pose a real danger to society (McClatchy, 2008). Kansas only drug court, in Lyon County, has slashed offender rearrest rates almost by half. (McClatchy, 2008). In California, a study found that in a two-year period, drug courts toll $14 million but relieve tax-payers more than $4 3 million over the costs of sending offenders to prison (McCatchy,2008).Kansas Department of Corrections has had success with a new parole re-entry program, including a pilot frame in Wichita that gives parolees more support and helps them to bound on the straight and narrow (McClatchy, 2008). Corrections Secretary Roger Werholtz has seen the new philosophy dramatically cut re-offender rates state-wide and reduced recidivism (McCatchy, 2008). Spectrum dependency Services offers residential treatment, outpatient, detox and domestic help violence service for substance abusers and Correctional Recovery Academies in Massachusetts, Georgia and Rhode Island (Astell, 1995).The treatment strategy supported by Spectrum is based on behaviour and based on self-esteem, participants feelings, and self-revelation much as the 12 step program of Alcoholics Anonymous (Astell, 1995). Spectrum views the way to fight recidivism is behavioural, teaching people the skills to stay straight (Astell, 19 95). A situational approach to drug abuse may be another avenue to explore when examining the Vietnam War (Astell, 1995). Many American soldiers who were involved with diacetylmorphine use in South East Asia did not bring the habit home, indicating that some drug abuse is situational (Astell, 1995).In the middle 1970s a pessimistic assessment of rehabilitation programs by Robert Martinson asserted that nothing works in correctional treatment (Cullen & Gendreau, 2000). However recent reassessment using methods of meta-analysis has found that offender treatment programs do reduce problem behaviour (Cullen & Gendreau, 2000). telling programs are those which recognise the importance of individual differences and the measurement of these factors when assessing what programs and interventions would be most suited for each offender (Harland, 1996).Privatisation of prisons is seen to be a positive solution to improving treatment programs and reducing associated recidivism in developing m ore of a restorative framework to treatment programs (Corporate Responsibility, 2007). This involves emphasising the importance of good relationships between prisoners and staff, the need to recognise the impact of cultural differences when implementing programmes and interconnected an officer of suitable culture and inclination to best assist the needs of the prisoner (Corporate Responsibility, 2007).Further study is indicated as being required for WA Sex Offenders with scant(p) research being available for this group of offenders when compared to other states in WA (Cullen & Gendreau, 2000). Systematic differences between the non-treated and treated group in the Western Australian study, such as indigenous status, risk category, and length of strong belief may have impaired comparisons of groups (Lievore, 2004). Inconsistencies across the data, methodological limits may have to a fault limited the study from being able to identify less significant treatment outcomes, and to id entify sources (Greenberg , 2002).A recommendation for meliorate research design is suggested in the implementation of a similar tool as the Static 99 in Australia which is currently only available internationally in measuring sexual recidivism (Mackenzie, 2006). Another finding from reviews of the studies is the large difference of amount of research completed for drug-offenders in comparison with other offenders, such as women prisoners and sex offenders which is currently limited (MacKenzie, 2006).Given the current veneration about the increasing amount of drug offenders entering the correction system it is bare as to why there is uch a large number of evaluations of programs being completed for these offenders (MacKenzie, 2006). Although the role for corrections appears to be a current challenge, it is hoped that with further research, funding , availableness of treatment programmes and education of prison officers in addressing individual and cultural differences, that the o ffender be given the greatest chance for rehabilitation, reform and consequently a life of license outside the prison bars (MacKenzie, 2006).