Rebecca Babayan
ABSTRACT
The United States has one of the highest imprisonment rates in the world. Still, a more pressing concern lies in the factors within prisons that perpetuate a cycle of reoffending among formerly incarcerated individuals. To better understand this, the research will examine recidivism, defined as the tendency of released offenders to re-offend. Recidivism is especially high in the first year after release, with 43 percent of former inmates being rearrested within that time (Schanzenbach, 2020). This paper will explore prison conditions, such as access to education and healthcare, that contribute to the challenges of reentry. Additionally, we will discuss external obstacles like housing and employment difficulties, which further drive recidivism. Focusing on California, the most populous state in the U.S., this research will analyze its 41.9% recidivism rate (CDCR) and the specific challenges contributing to this issue.