Prisoner Reentry Discussion

Posted: January 4th, 2023

Prisoner Reentry Discussion

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Prisoner Reentry Discussion

Prisoner reentry refers to the process where prisoners who have been released go back to the community. Many forms of programs have been put in place with the aim of lowering recidivism, and most of them turn out to be successful. It is critical, however, to understand some of the issues associated with prisoner reentry that continue to generate so much debate among stakeholders. Understanding, and coming up with appropriate solutions as to whether the government should ensure that inmates transit into work, whether released inmates should be in a position to succeed particular things, and whether released inmates should receive funding offer a good chance to ensure the individuals who come out fit in and proceed with the lives as normal.

Issue One – Whether the Government should Oversee Transition into Work

One of the issues that require much attention is whether the government needs to oversee that released inmates can transit into work without much obstruction. It is not the role of the government to ensure that inmates secure employment after finishing their term, but it would be more appropriate if these individuals secure somewhere to earn a living through some assistance from the state. The inmates while serving their terms undergo training on how to perform a wide variety of tasks, and as Shemkus (2015) puts it, prisoners has a hand in making eye glasses, building desks, developing chairs, and even stitch flags. The Federal Bureau of Prisons informs that the training they offer is critical for making prisoners ready to be prosperous in the outside world after their release (Shemkus, 2015). Critics, however, think that the programs mainly enslave the inmates who only get little return and do not get protection and benefits other civilian jobs would give. The issue generated much debate when Whole Foods declared that it would not sell products that are as a result of human labor (Shemkus, 2015). Already, the government shows its commitment to help inmates who finish their term by coordinating with the prison department to ensure some individuals get employment as cleaners and messengers. The only problem is the pay range for these jobs is very low and the ex-prisoner may not pick up with speed necessary to fit into the society.

Issue Two – Whether Released Inmates should Succeed

The second issue that touches on prisoner reentry is whether released inmates should succeed certain things or not. Released inmates might not succeed some of the public offices that require one to be free of any legal wrongdoings such as that of the presidency. The inmates who finish their term may also not succeed some property, especially if tussle over the same items caused the sentencing and subjection detention.

Issue 3 – Opinion about Funding Released Inmates

So much debate also seems to be cropping up on the matter regarding the allocation of money to released prisoners to help them become stable. Other than helping the released inmates to become stable once they leave prison, allocating money to these individuals is ethical because while serving all these time, a person does not generate any income unless they register with some of the programs that train and equip the inmates with some vocational skills and knowledge (Lawrence, 2014). It is the reason why the federal government spends more than $80 billion annually to cater for the issues surrounding criminal justice reform (Lawrence, 2014). Using the money allocated to help the released inmates may comprise several crucial services including health, employment, and housing services that are crucial to the wellbeing of each person. Nonetheless, with the issues surrounding AB 109 and how the legislations seeks to lower the state’s burden on taking care of inmates, critics might feel that offering such money could only cause more financial constraints.

References

Lawrence, A. (2014). Managing corrections costs. Washington, D.C.: National Conference of

            State Legislatures.

Shemkus, S. (2015). Beyond cheap labor: Can prison work programs benefit inmates? Retrieved

            from https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/dec/09/prison-work-

            program-ohsa-whole-foods-inmate-labor-incarceration