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Karly Brown

Professor Angela Mitchell

UWRT 1103

25 February 2018

Annotated Bibliography: Rehabilitation in The Justice System

Rhodes, Williams, Gerald Gaes, Jeremy Luallen, Ryan Kling, Tom Rich, and Michael Shively.

“Following Incarceration, Most Offenders Never Return to Prison.” Crime &

Delinquency 62.8 (2014): 1003-1025. SAGE Journals Online. Web. 23 Feb. 2018. DOI:

10.1177/0011128714549655

The source listed above is a peer reviewed journal article that I found through the Atkins

Library database search engine. The article explains an unpopular interpretation of the statistics

on recidivism in the United States. The unpopular interpretation is that, “most released offenders

never return to prison.” The article explains that many of the statistics used on government

websites are obtained through a event based sample instead of a offender based sample. The

difference between the two is that offender based samples are balanced between the low-risk and

high-risk offenders, unlike the event based samples. It’s expressed within the article that the

event based sample used to create most statistics on recidivism over represented the high-risk

offenders that returned to prison. Therefore, the article used state corrections data as well as an

offender based sample to obtain the statistic that, “roughly two of every three offenders released

from prison will never return.”

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As stated above, the source is a peer reviewed journal article which makes it an

academic source. The credentials of the authors seem to be focused on research, investigation, or

analysis. I was unable to find any reasons to believe the authors were bias, such as personal

experience. Although, if compared to my other sources the article is extremely different due to

it’s overall idea. The articles purpose is to express that the justice system is not filled with

failures, also know as recidivism. It was difficult to find a source that disagreed with with the

United States’ high recidivism rates, which leads me to question the reliability of the article.

Personally, I don’t feel as though I will use this source in my project because of the rarity

of the ideas it expresses. I did find the article useful because it explored a different view on the

recidivism rates in America. Lack of recidivism plays a huge role in the success of the criminal

justice system. The article could support the idea that, if the scarcity of rehabilitation programs in

the system didn’t lead to high rates of offenders returning to prison then there may not be a need

for more programs. This source has not changed my mind on the need for rehabilitation within

the criminal justice system but it has encouraged me to continue my research. If I was able to

find more sources to support and verify the information in the article I would be more likely to

use it in my project.

Office of Justice Programs. National Institute of Justice. 2014,

https://www.nij.gov/topics/corrections/recidivism/Pages/welcome.aspx. Accessed 19 Feb.

2018.

The second source listed is a website under the control of the U.S. Department of Justice

that supports another side of recidivism in America. The information provided explains what

recidivism is and the popular opinion that rates of recidivism are high. The website obtained its
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information from the Bureau of Justice Statistics studies, which is another website ran by the

U.S. Department of Justice. It states that, “Within three years of release, about two-thirds of

released prisoners were rearrested.” The last thing explained on the website states that research is

being conducted using offenders as participants and focusing on cognitive transformation.

I believe that the National Institute of Justice website is an extremely reliable source. It’s

a government controlled website and uses other government ran websites as references. High

recidivism rates is not something the United States would be proud of, therefore I believe the

government would have their statistics correct. The website shares many similarities when

compared to the other sources listed because it supports high recidivism rates.

Lastly, I plan on using the source in my project because it has many useful statistics. The

website lead me to believe that their is a lack of rehabilitation within the justice system, which

guided me through further research. The focus of my project is rehabilitation in the justice

system, therefore high recidivism rates support the need for more rehabilitation programs for

inmates. Overall, the source was beneficial towards my project because it encouraged me to

chose a side by supplying factual information.

Tsai, Tyjen, and Paola Scommegna. “U.S. Has World’s Highest Incarceration Rate.” prb.org.

Population Reference Bureau, Aug. 2012.

http://www.prb.org/Publications/Articles/2012/us-incarceration.aspx. Accessed 21 Feb.

2018.

Another source is an article from the Population Reference Bureau. The article focuses on

the United States having the world’s highest incarceration rate. It addresses that the U.S. has had

the highest incarceration rate in the world since 2002. It explains that men make up 90 percent of
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the incarcerated which is 14 times higher than women and that blacks and Latinos have a

significantly high incarceration rate than whites. Finally, it states that prisoners are usually less

educated and that 70 percent have not completed high school.

Overall, I feel that this article is a reliable source. The two authors of the article are

writer/editors at the Population Reference Bureau. I couldn’t find evidence to believe the article

was actual published, I do believe they followed the guidelines as if they were writing a

scholarly article. They include many sources on their references page, in which they used to

obtain factual statistics. When I researched the Population Reference Bureau website it defined

itself as, “PRB informs people around the world about population, health, and the environment,

and empowers them to use that information to advance the well- being of current and future

generations.” Therefore, their purpose is to inform others through facts. The source is

comparable to other sources listed because it includes statistics and other evidence to support

their work.

This source will be used in my future project because it’s informative. The article doesn’t

discuss rehabilitation within the justice system but I will be able to use it to support the need for

more rehabilitation programs. It expresses the high rate of incarceration as well as the large

amounts of prisoners that have little education. It changed my thinking on my topic from open

minded to being able to state that there is a need for more rehabilitation programs in the criminal

justice system.

Benson, Etienne, “Rehabilitate or punish?” American Psychological Association. vol. 34, no. 7,

2003, http://www.apa.org/monitor/julaug03/rehab.aspx. Accessed 22 Feb. 2018.

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The American Psychological Association website is where I found the cover story

“Rehabilitate or punish?” The story discusses psychologists thoughts on the purpose of prisons,

rehabilitation or punishment. Psychologists that provided treatment to prisoners explain that

there isn’t enough focus rehabilitation, due to the limited number of mental health professionals

and the numerous caseloads. It stated, “between 15 and 20 percent of people in prison are

mentally ill.” Research continues as center of attention is on causes of crime and the

psychological effects incarceration can develop.

The source seems to be reliable since it’s on a trustworthy website. The author cited

actual psychologist that have worked in federal and/ or states prisons and who have studied the

most effective treatment for inmates. Therefore, the author uses primary sources to support their

work. The article acknowledges the rehabilitation that is taking place within the institutions. The

purpose is to inform the nation of issues and encourage a change. When compared to other

sources its similar because they acknowledge there is an issue within the justice system.

I will definitely use this source in my project because I feel as though it will be very

supportive. I believe the psychological side of prison plays a huge role in the success if the

criminal justice system. The fact that psychologist are citied that have first hand experience with

the issue at hand is beneficial towards my evidence. Psychological programs is a form of

rehabilitation that the article expresses if provided more efficiently, could make a beneficial

difference. The source continued to encourage my perspective that there is a need for more

rehabilitation programs within the criminal justice system.

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“Programs Keep Inmates From Returning To Prison.” LAW from NPR. 17 Jun. 2014.

https://www.npr.org/2012/10/10/162652805/programs-keep-inmates-from-returning-to-

prison.

The podcast labeled, Programs Keep Inmates From Returning To Prison, is found on the

National Public Radio website. It consists of discussions amount the lowered rate of recidivism

in Ohio. The host and other men address the issues in the usual institutions as well as what have

provided positive effects. They acknowledge it’s hard for inmates to get a job when they are

released, even if they were trained in prison due to the strict laws on having a felony.

Rehabilitation programs benefit the inmates and the tax payers of America. Helping inmates

better prepare themselves for when they’re released and to gather a plan has became the main

focus in Ohio, which has impacted their recidivism rates in a positive way.

The National Public Radio is trustworthy, and the podcast itself includes a variety of

individuals. The host, a reporter for the Columbus-Dispatch, a state senator from Ohio, a director

of the Justice Center at the Council on State Governments, and multiple ex-cons provided

comments during the podcast. The people seemed to be reliable and have some first hand

knowledge on the topic. The source is comparable to other sources listed because it includes

multiple peoples opinions and more than one source for information. They also acknowledge the

beneficial effects rehabilitation programs have on inmates and society as a whole.

Finally, I will use this podcast as a source for my project when the time comes. It’s useful

because it provides primary sources and evidence that rehabilitation programs work.

Rehabilitation programs within state and federal institutions has beneficial effects for inmates as

well as society. It limits crime, gives ex-cons another chance, and saves money. Due to my topic

being rehabilitation within the justice system, this source has allowed me to make the connection
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between recidivism and rehabilitation. Ultimately, forming the purpose of my topic to become

more specific.

“Prison Rehabilitation or Revolving Door Criminal Justice?” YouTube, Uploaded by TheLipTV,

23 Apr. 2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHLT8zI7JbU

The final source listed is a YouTube video that discusses how prisons are failing to

rehabilitate convicted felons and the negative education inmates receive while incarcerated.

During the video it’s explained that inmates will gain a education, which is why it’s important to

provide them with a beneficial one. While incarcerated one can learn how to cheat, lie, steal,

manipulate, and more because that’s all many of the inmates know. It’s also expressed within the

video that people are quick to be placed in prison/ jail to solve the problem but then they come

out worst than before.

I believe this is a reliable source because I feel as though it is not bias. The man being

interviewed in the video is a former police commissioner of New York City who plead guilty to

tax fraud and served three years in prison. He wrote a book titled, Jailer to Jailed, which talks

about his experiences. He went from putting people in jail to being in jail, therefore he has

experienced both sides and would be able to form an informed opinion. This videos easily

compared to the podcast listed because they both include people who’ve had first had experience

with the criminal justice system and suggest it needs improvement.

Finally, I plan on using this video of Bernard Kerik being interviewed about his opinions

on the criminal justice system. His experience with both sides will be beneficial for my project

because he was able to form an unbiased opinion. The ideas he explains are understandable and

encourage change within the justice system, which is through rehabilitation programs. I think he
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is a good primary source, which will be useful in my project. This source has allowed the growth

of my topic to focus on the need for rehabilitation within the criminal justice system.
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Work Cited

Benson, Etienne, “Rehabilitate or punish?” American Psychological Association. vol. 34, no. 7,

2003, http://www.apa.org/monitor/julaug03/rehab.aspx. Accessed 22 Feb. 2018.

Office of Justice Programs. National Institute of Justice. 2014,

https://www.nij.gov/topics/corrections/recidivism/Pages/welcome.aspx. Accessed 19 Feb.

2018.

“Prison Rehabilitation or Revolving Door Criminal Justice?” YouTube, Uploaded by TheLipTV,

23 Apr. 2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHLT8zI7JbU

“Programs Keep Inmates From Returning To Prison.” LAW from NPR. 17 Jun. 2014.

https://www.npr.org/2012/10/10/162652805/programs-keep-inmates-from-returning-to-

prison.

Rhodes, Williams, Gerald Gaes, Jeremy Luallen, Ryan Kling, Tom Rich, and Michael Shively.

“Following Incarceration, Most Offenders Never Return to Prison.” Crime &

Delinquency 62.8 (2014): 1003-1025. SAGE Journals Online. Web. 23 Feb. 2018. DOI:

10.1177/0011128714549655

Tsai, Tyjen, and Paola Scommegna. “U.S. Has World’s Highest Incarceration Rate.” prb.org.

Population Reference Bureau, Aug. 2012.

http://www.prb.org/Publications/Articles/2012/us-incarceration.aspx. Accessed 21 Feb.

2018.