Model United Nations Alfrink Global Mayors Forum Reintroducing Ex- Convicts Into Society

Transcription

1 Forum: Issue: Student Officer: Global Mayors Forum Reintroducing Ex- Convicts Into Society Carlijn Levert Introduction In many countries the prison rates are at an all- time high. The economic climate and growing population are key factors in this alarming rate. This phenomenon brings along another societal problem: the reintroduction of ex- convicts. Freedom after years of imprisonment results in a second offence in a lot of cases. The huge difference in culture can come as a shock to ex- inmates. Not only how much society has changed since they were imprisoned but the difference between prison culture and the outside world can be overwhelming. Violence, intimidation and anti- social behaviour can be survival tactics when in prison but they are detrimental to social contact after release. Shelter, food, money and work can be extremely hard for ex- convicts to obtain if they have no support. In many cases these basic needs lead to crime. Especially in economically struggling areas and countries second offenders are more frequent. The lack of jobs for ex- convicts is the key factor in this problem. Sadly most employers will not accept employees with a criminal record. In combination with an often distanced and somewhat aggressive attitude it can be next to impossible for ex- convicts to find a job. Family life can play an essential role in keeping ex- convicts from crime. Years of incarceration and crime strain and destroy relations. Rebuilding and maintaining a close connection with family members can make the difference when it comes to reintroduction into society. Finding a role in society and the modern world is the only way to keep ex- convicts from reoffending. It is society s and the government s responsibility to help ex- convicts find their place. Definition of Key Terms Ex- convicts Former prisoners Second offence When an ex- convict commits a crime Recidivism Referring to the percentage of former prisoners who are rearrested for a similar offense. Restorative justice Restorative justice is a theory of justice that emphasizes repairing the harm caused by criminal behaviour.

2 General Overview Once prisoners have done their time, they are on their own. They are expected to find a job with a criminal record in an already tough market. The ex- convicts have almost no idea what is going on behind the walls of jail, especially the ones that have spent years or decades of their lives locked up, which makes adapting to the new society even harder. Life on the outside can be a huge challenge, so hard that many prisoners fail at it and end up back behind bars before long. Many believe that it is going to take dedication from those being released along with empathy and understanding from the general public to successfully give ex- cons a second chance. Drug addiction is a major decisive factor of how prisoners lives develop after their release. Also, the temptation of joining gangs is a very influential factor. Once they are back on the streets, the ex- convicts feel like the only security they have is of their former gang and will therefore join them again. People often find that building relationships between social workers and prisoners is crucial in preparing them for re- entry into the outside world. One German- based initiative, known as Resi recruited experts to care for ex- prisoners accommodation, working environment, debt management and to intervene in crises up to six months after their release. The project lasted for three years and saw reoffending rates decrease from 50 to 13 percent. However, the scheme was dropped in 2012 due to funding cuts. Additionally, the Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP) is a Houston- based initiative that aims to transform inmates into entrepreneurs through hard work and investment; it also challenges society to rethink the criminal justice system. The recidivism rate for released prisoners in the United States of America is 76.6% while in Norway this is 20%. The difference between the two countries is that the American criminal justice system focuses on punishing the inmates, while the Norwegian system highlights the importance of rehabilitating prisoners, which is called restorative justice. Major parties involved Los Angeles The United States of America has the highest incarceration rate of the world. [1] Tokyo Japan has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. [1][2] Amsterdam The Netherlands has too little inmates to fill the prisons and therefore prisoners from neighbouring countries get transferred to the Dutch prisons. Also, the Dutch prisons are rapidly

3 changing to more luxurious prisons, just like in Norway. [3] Especially in Amsterdam, a new luxurious prison has opened. Moscow Russia has the second largest incarceration rate of the world and tortures its prisoners, thereby violating the United Nations Human Rights. [4][5] Useful documents recidivism- rate- one- of- lowest- in- the- world/#_ftn a- 5a3b- bd41- c41d163e4021.html just- got- out- of- prison- now- what.html?_r=0 dividend/development- programs- help- exoffenders- join- the- workforce Bibliography given- second- chance- through- society- reintroduction- programs/article_b5dbdae2- e2cb- 11e2- b a4bcf6878.html after- prison- re- entering- society- is- no- easy- task/a justice/about- restorative- justice/tutorial- intro- to- restorative- justice/ norways- prison- system- is- so- successful ?international=true&r=US&IR=T Major parties involved [1] info/compare/japan/united- States/Crime [2] [3] 18/norway- exports- prison- inmates- to- netherlands- to- solve- crowding

4 [4] about- russian- prisons ?international=true&r=US&IR=T [5]

5