Introduction
This paper is a critical evaluation of the work of Misty Malott and Ali Fromader whose title is,’ Male Inmate Perspective on Reducing Recidivism Rates Through Post-Incarceration Resources’. The main areas of the work that shall be critiqued include the research question, theoretical framework off the study, hypothesis, methodology, results, discussion and conclusion.
Research question
The current research study was aimed at examining the factors that may affect recidivism and the resources needed to reduce recidivism. In this case, the authors intended to examine the needs of the inmates who formed the study’s sample. In particular, the aim of the researchers was to explore the resources that would be needed to ensure that the recidivism rates of the study’s respondents were reduced and to find out if they would be in a position to make use of the services at their disposal. Based on this information, the main research question for this study was to explore the attitudes and perspectives of male inmate on the post-incarceration resources. Another research question for the study was to assess those post-incarceration services and resources that the inmates feel would help them to reduce recidivism rates.
Theoretical framework
The current study used a theoretical framework based on the Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Theory, as reported by Santrock (87). The aim of Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Theory is to explain the significant influence that environmental factors have on individual behavior. According to the Ecological Theory, the behavior of individuals is normally influenced by the societal environment. For this reason, there is need to ensure that the environments surrounding us are constructed in such a manner as to support individuals post-incarceration. This way, we can be able to reduce crime and recidivism rates in the society and prevent multiple offenses as well.
In applying the Ecological Theory to the current study, one of the assumptions that can be made is that the availability of support services, resources, and treatment, post-incarceration could have a profound effect in helping to the current recidivism rates. When inmates are provided with as stable and regular employment, such a move will effectively ensure that they remain out of ‘secondary labor markets’ and ‘informal economies’ where chances of committing other offenses are very high. At the same time, giving an education to the inmates an and such other necessary resources as family educators would also be very beneficial to the inmates because it would effectively empower them to create dynamic, cohesive, functioning, and healthier family environment. The Ecological Theory as proposed by Bronfenbrenner supports the idea that the availability of resources would support the available structures for the post-incarcerated individuals, in addition to creating a positive environment for them to live. Such a move could be a very effective strategy in an effort to reduce recidivism rates.
Hypotheses
One of the hypotheses for the current research was the expectation by the authors that the responses given by the inmates would be a reflection of a need for and a lack of treatment, support services, and resources, post-incarceration. In addition, the researchers also hypothesized that the attitudes of the inmates would be in support of the notion that by increasing the availability of treatment, support services, and resources, such a move would help to reduce their recidivism rates. This particular hypothesis borrows a lot from the literature review by the authors of the research study that agreed with the proposal that such resources as education and regular employment are vital in helping to reduce recidivism. In addition, the Ecological Theory as postulated by Bronfenbrenner also supports this hypothesis, in that is suggests that environmental factors have an impact on behavior. It is also important to note that the Ecological Theory would also support the notion that such environmental constructs as post-incarceration, the ability to access resources for inmates, can have a positive impact on reducing recidivism rates, as noted by Santrock (91).
Methodology
The study made use of cross-sectional type of design in order to get the responses from the study’s respondents. The reason why the authors decided to use a cross-sectional study design is because it would allow them to capture the attitudes or knowledge of a cross-section of respondents (in these case, inmates) at a given point in time. The authors decided to use self-administered questionnaires as a way of collecting data. In their deciding to utilize this particular method, the underlying principle for the decision was that it has been noted to be among the most efficient techniques for data collection directly from inmates on the basis of the convenience, fast pace of the associated research course, quick return of data, and low cost, among other benefits.
The sample population consisted of jail inmates while the sample to the study was male inmates who had been selected from some three Midwestern jails. The purposive sample design that was employed by this particular study was non-random in nature, since the purpose of the study was to get the necessary information from the inmates. The authors had to first contact all the three Jail Supervisors so that they could obtain their sample. Bearing in mind the high level of vulnerability surrounding inmates, working with them would be a very difficult task and as such, the authors had to exercise a lot of precautions as a way of guaranteeing human subject protection and voluntary participation.
Results
The authors utilized the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) in order to analyze the data once it had been collected. In addition, the authors subjected all the variables to a reliability analysis and frequency distribution. The reason why a reliability analysis was undertaken was with a view to check whether the fifteen variables to the study that the authors had proposed were a reliable index that could be utilized in efforts to reduce recidivism rates. The Cronbach’s Alpha instrument was used to check the reliability which was recorded at 0.799. This value shows that the survey statements made by the authors were a reliable indicator of the altitudes of the male inmates regarding the post-incarceration resources, and how access to resources post-incarceration can reduce recividsm rates. 30.4 % of the respondents thought that they would benefit from strategies on coping with stress. Another 23.5% said that they would make use of affordable and appropriate post-incarceration counseling services.
In addition, 21.6% of respondents were optimistic that their families would support them financially, while another 12.7 % said that despite having an incarceration record, this would not in any way hinder their employment opportunities post-incarceration. Consequently, 26.5 % of the respondents were confident that they would still find employment post-incarceration Moreover, more than half of the respondents (54.9 %) thought that they were less likely to re-offend in case they got better employment opportunities. Another 21.6 % of the respondents were convinced that the post-incarceration mental health services would benefit them, while 28.4 % of the respondents said that they would benefit from post-incarceration substance abuse services.
Discussion and conclusion
Most of the results to this study supported the hypothesis that had been raised earlier, that inmates would concur with the statement that access to treatment, support services, and resources would assist in reducing their recidivism rates post-incarceration. In addition, the findings also concurred with the literature that had been reviewed by the authors, that access to employment, equal opportunity, addressing stress management and communication skills, family education, treatment and therapy programs are all very useful in lowering recidivism rates (Spohn et al 151; Uggen 532). Many of the respondents were optimistic that their families would give them emotional support upon release from jail, while other believed that they would get housing support from their families after they had been incarcerated. This form of support is very important because according to Bayse and colleagues (247), inmates who receive emotional and housing support from their families had a higher chance of not only mending, but also maintain the relationships that they shared with their families, meaning that their chances of re-offending were less.
The Bronfenbrenner’s Ecology Theory also supports the claim that such family support as emotional support and housing may create a more supportive and positive environment, thereby enhancing the success of an individual (Santrock 92). The participants responded that learning health communication skills would benefit them immensely. A majority of the respondents said that they hoped to benefit from programs meant to help them cope with stress. They also thought that even though they already an incarceration record, this would not interfere with their employment opportunities. Nonetheless, some of the respondents were convinced that an incarceration record would hinder their quest to find employment. The work of Western (527) appears to support this paradox by noting that individuals who have been incarcerated end up pursuing unsteady jobs characterized by little stability, wage mobility, and reduced chances for advancement. On the basis of such a ‘spiral of disadvantage’, we are likely to witness increased recidivism and criminal activity (Western 527).
Works Cited
Bayse, Daniel, Allgood, Scot, and Van Wyk, Paul. Family life education: An effective tool for prisoner rehabilitation, Family Relations, 40. 3(1991): 245 – 257. Print.
Malott, Misty and Fromader, Ali. Male Inmate Perspective on Reducing Recidivism Rates Through Post-Incarceration Resources. 2010. Web.
Santrock, John. Life-span development. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2004. Print.
Spohn, Cassia et al. Drug courts and recidivism:The results of an evaluation using two comparison groups and mutiple indicators of recidivism. Journal of Drug Issues, 31.1(2001): 149-176. Print.
Uggen, Christopher. Work as a turning point in the life course of criminals: A duration model of age, employment, and recidivism. American Sociological Review, 67(2000): 529-546. Print.
Western, Bruce. The impact of incarceration on wage mobility and inequality, American Sociological Review, 67(2002): 526-546. Print.