Introduction
Differences between practice and research
The reasons for the difference between research information collected through practice, as opposed to information received by empirical research could be seen as follows: in the case of practitioners, they deal with situations that are unique and highly individualistic, having special characteristics, found only in such kind of practice; however, in the case of empirical research, the researchers make tremendous efforts to find areas of similarities, or commonality, in the data under review. While in the case of practice, the specialty of the study assumes significance, and special interest, in the case of practical research studies, the results with emphasis on commonality of population samples and their similarities are discussed. In fact, one of the chief areas for discussion in the case of research would be with regard to the causes and reasons for variances and how it would impinge upon the results.
Main body
In the subject under review, which is recidivism, the practice would be regarding the control and alleviation of this social malaise, wherein criminals revert to their illegal activities within few years of being freed, and need to be reincarnated repeatedly for either the same, or other crimes.
Specific learning opportunities for conceptual and technical skills
The specific learning opportunities that improve one’s conceptual and technical skills lie in the fact that the methodologies for such research would be the prison settings, where interviews with jail superintendents, wardens and other officials would increase the practical aspects of this problem, recidivism, and their professed views and recommendations on how this problem could be tackled and controlled effectively. These interviews would also throw light on the psyches and mental buildup of criminals who are habitually recidivists. The inner workings of their minds, how the prison environments affect behaviours patterns, whether substance abuses, etc reinforces recidivistic tendencies. “At this point, we need to learn far more about effective ways to encourage offenders to “stay straight” in the context of work programs. Unfortunately, this process will, by definition, take place largely outside of prison. As a result, there may be inherent limitations on how much we can expect prison managers to do beyond cooperating in attempts to smooth the reentry process.” (Bushway, 2003, P.15).
Opportunities and threats and how the latter are overcome
Coming to the second part of the essay it could be said that the main opportunities that resulted from this study stemmed from the fact that it may be sometime difficult to correctly gauge the behavioural aspects of offenders that need to be taken into consideration. It is the ardent belief of all social scientists, behavioural experts and criminologists dealing with such recidivism to instill a belief in the offenders that they need to reform their ways and refrain from repeated criminal manifestations. The opportunities presented itself in undertaking research on what prompted such offenders to be repeat criminals and why they were not being able to join the reformed mainstream of society. It has been found that in many cases, employability of offenders were low and more so in case of habitual criminals who wished to reform. Again, the need for society to taken action to reform these criminals and, more importantly, the self-belief and self-will of these sections of society, to reform them would also pose as important challenges. “With proper assessment of these factors, researchers and practitioners have demonstrated that it is possible to classify offenders according to their relative likelihood of committing new offenses with as much as 80 percent accuracy.” (Gornik ).These challenges could be met by taking informed decisions regarding the method of undertaking relevant investigations into aspects influencing upon recidivism and the ways and means by which this social problem could be tackled and alleviated to a certain extent, if not resolved.
Conclusion
There being a plethora of factors that govern , either directly or indirectly the control and resolution of recidivism, it would be necessary to develop an all round approach of research studies encompassing both the positive and negative aspects of this problem and how it impacts individuals and agencies. While the individual treatment and rehabilitation is important, it is also necessary to provide necessary avenues for the reformed criminals and offenders to be able to contribute to the well being of the social mainstream of the country. If a large portion of offenders were able to be reformed through institutional training and development, this problem would definitely be controllable and augment well for all concerned, the government, the agencies and the offenders themselves.
Reference
Bushway, Shawn. (2003). Employment Dimensions of Reentry: Understanding the Nexus Between Prisoner Reentry and Work: Reentry and Prison Work Programs: Conclusion, Urban Institute Reentry Roundtable. P.15. 2008. Web.
Gornik, Mark. Moving from Correctional Program to Correctional Strategy: Using Proven Practices to Change Criminal Behavior. 2008. Web.