Introduction

Mass incarceration, the phenomenon of a significant increase in the number of people incarcerated in the United States, has become a major issue in recent decades. While the incarceration rate has been declining in recent years, it remains at a historically high level. As of 2020, there were over 2.2 million people incarcerated in the United States, a rate of 629 per 100,000 people (Glaze & Maruschak, 2021).

Mass incarceration has had a profound impact on the criminal justice system and society as a whole. It has been linked to a number of negative consequences, including increased recidivism rates, racial disparities in the criminal justice system, and economic hardship for individuals and families (Uggen & Sharp, 2014).

This paper will examine the impact of mass incarceration on recidivism rates. Recidivism is the act of reoffending, and it is a major concern for policymakers and criminal justice practitioners. Recidivism rates have been shown to be higher among individuals who have been incarcerated, and this can have a significant impact on public safety.

Literature Review

A number of studies have examined the relationship between mass incarceration and recidivism rates. The findings of these studies have been mixed, but some have shown that there is a positive correlation between the two (Pettit & Lyons, 2000; Johnson, 2002).

One study, conducted by Pettit and Lyons (2000), found that states with higher incarceration rates had higher recidivism rates. The study also found that the relationship between incarceration and recidivism was stronger for certain types of offenders, such as property offenders.

Another study, conducted by Johnson (2002), found that the incarceration of nonviolent offenders was associated with an increase in violent crime rates. This suggests that mass incarceration may be having unintended negative consequences for public safety.

While the findings of these studies are mixed, they suggest that there is a potential link between mass incarceration and recidivism rates. This is a complex issue with a number of contributing factors, and more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between the two.

Discussion

There are a number of possible explanations for the relationship between mass incarceration and recidivism rates. One possibility is that incarceration can have a negative impact on an individual’s social ties and economic opportunities, which can make it more difficult to reintegrate into society after release. Additionally, incarceration can expose individuals to criminal subcultures and networks, which can increase their risk of reoffending.

Another possibility is that mass incarceration has led to a decline in social programs and services that could help to reduce recidivism rates. For example, funding for drug treatment and mental health services has been cut in recent years, and this has made it more difficult for ex-offenders to access the support they need to stay out of trouble.

Conclusion

Mass incarceration is a complex issue with a number of negative consequences, including increased recidivism rates. While more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between the two, it is clear that mass incarceration is a significant contributing factor to the high recidivism rates in the United States.

Policymakers need to take steps to address the issue of mass incarceration. This could include reducing the number of people incarcerated, expanding access to social programs and services for ex-offenders, and implementing evidence-based recidivism reduction programs.