U.S.A vs Norway: Recidivism

What is Recidivism?

Comparative Analysis

• Known as one of the most fundamental concepts for criminal justice
• It refers to a person's relapse into criminal behavior, often after the person receives sanctions or undergoes intervention for a previous crime

My Purpose for choosing this research topic is...

• Personal Interest
• Country wide issue

U.S.A

Norway

Similarities

• Both countries address that recidivism is a problem
• Both have programs to help get back into society

• High recidivism rates & Incarceration Rates:
• Focus on Incarceration more than Rehabilitation
• 5 year rearrest rate- 75%
• Less funding for programs
• Less tax dollars being used in this area
• Federal Republic Government

• Constitutional Monarchy Government
• Smaller Population
• Focuses on Rehabilitation more than Incarceration
• Prison's are more liberal
• 5 year rearrest rate- 16-20%
• Lowest recidivism rates in the world

Conclusion

Recidivism in the United States

• In conclusion, the United States has very high recidivism rates compared to Norway. Doing a comparison to Norway shows both sides of the spectrum. Norway could learn from the United States and the United States can learn from Norway. This comparison makes me think as a United States citizen and with also an interest in re-entry of ways to try and reduce these recidivism rates and how to help these re-entry and rehabilitation programs to be funded more. One way or another, these criminals will re-enter into society- and will become our neighbors- someday.

• Recidivism rates in the U.S are at an all time high
• The process of re-entry and rehabilitation when dealing with the incarceration process in the U.S is very weak
• Our nation does not focus a lot of its tax dollars on these programs to reduce recidivism
• For example, "FAMM supported the Second Chance Act, which was passed by Congress in 2007 and signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2008. That law authorized millions of dollars in funding for reentry and rehabilitation programs in state and federal prisons, jails, and communities. It also created a one-year pilot program that allowed the Bureau of Prisons to release elderly, nonviolent offenders to serve the remainder of their sentences under community supervision, saving taxpayers money on some of the prisoners who are the least dangerous, but most expensive and difficult to care for in prison. Unfortunately, the funding for these programs needs to be reauthorized by Congress, and the elderly offender release program lasted only one year and must also be reauthorized." (FAMM)
• FACT: In the United States, nearly 40 percent of all federal prisoners released will re offend. (FAMM)

Citations

"SEARCH QUESTIONS & ANSWERS." Search Questions and Answers. 27 Feb. 2015. Web. 01 May 2016.

"FAMM - » Rehabilitation and Reentry for Former Prisoners." FAMM. Web. 02 May 2016.

Sterbenz, Christina. "Why Norway's Prison System Is so Successful." Business Insider. Business Insider, Inc, 2014. Web. 02 May 2016.

Storm, Christian. "Norway's Island Prison For Violent Criminals Looks Like No Prison We've Ever Seen." Business Insider. Business Insider, Inc, 2014. Web. 02 May 2016.

Recidivism in Norway

• Norway's incarceration rate is just 75 per 100,000 people, compared to 707 people for every 100,000 people in the US. On top of that, when criminals in Norway leave prison, they stay out. It has one of the lowest recidivism rates in the world at 20%. (Sterbenz)
• The country relies on a concept called "restorative justice," which aims to repair the harm caused by crime rather than punish people. This system focuses on rehabilitating prisoners. (Sterbenz)
• Take a look at Halden Prison...the 75-acre facility maintains as much "normalcy" as possible. That means no bars on the windows, kitchens fully equipped with sharp objects, and friendships between guards and inmates. For Norway, removing people's freedom is enough of a punishment. (Sterbenz)
• Another prison, Bastøy Prison has been called one of the most liberal prisons in the world. Prisoners and guards work together, tending to farm animals and chopping wood for the winter months. They play cards, ski and play tennis, cook, and take classes. When 3 p.m. rolls around, most of the non-convicts head home, leaving only five guards to keep watch overnight. (Storm)
• Norwegian officials hope that Bastøy, an experiment now in its 32nd year, will rehabilitate prisoners, instilling values of responsibility, trust, leadership, and accountability. And it seems to be working, as recidivism rates for the prison are just 16%-20%. (In the US, the five-year rearrest rate is more than 75%.) (Storm)

U.S.A vs Norway: Recidivism

By Darby Buckley

4/17/16

CRJ 411