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notes from the field

ful crime-free existence, and problems than those with family members and relatives
the likelihood of gravitating healthcare insurance who are had some criminal behavior
toward gang affiliation is more financially secure. This and even served time in jail or
greatly enhanced as they may also seems to correlate with prison. This behavior by many
be seeking the love and secu- healthier food choices. was deemed acceptable; many
rity that a gang membership Lower-income individuals of their peers and even family
promises. may be less likely to pursue members had exhibited similar
further educational programs, behaviors.
Recommendation. For youth- thereby securing less well-
ful offenders initially becoming paying jobs. Stealing, robbery, Lack of Positive Peers.
involved in the criminal justice and selling drugs are means Generally, repeat offenders
system, the following may be of quickly securing more tend to associate with those
considered to assist these indi- money—an alternative to with whom they have some-
viduals in avoiding a repeat which many may turn. thing in common—similar
offender status: backgrounds, culture stan-
• Big Brothers & Big Sisters Recommendation. Programs dards, and perhaps even
programs; for employment preparation criminal records. People, places
• volunteers in probation and should be instituted in the and things tell us a lot about a
person—the people with whom
parole; early stages of incarceration one associates, the places they
• carefully screened offenders to prepare the offender for go, and what they do. The
meaningful employment upon
who have made positive and release and returning to society. neighborhood and housing
successful adjustments; and Certifications offered for partic- where one resides affects to
• senior citizens with appro- ular careers while incarcerated some degree with whom one
priate vetting and training. are important. Also helpful are may associate. If the individual
practical work assignments is a high school dropout, then
Lower Income Level. More while incarcerated; for exam- they are more susceptible to
than 50% of the incarcer- ple, food services, maintenance, gang affiliation and crime.
ated population was from the and computer science training. Many repeat offenders did
lower-income strata. The fact The facility may want to offer not complete high school and
that they had limited income college-level courses for further associate with other dropouts,
may have resulted in having to education. Budgets at respec- placing them in this high-risk
reside in lower-income hous- tive institutions are always category. Unless there is strong
ing areas. There appears to be critical to address these issues. parental supervision and men-
a higher likelihood that these toring, which often is not the
were also higher-crime areas. Prior Delinquent and case with these offenders, they
Lower income may also Criminal Behavior. It should are in this high-risk group.
result in having less money to also be noted that prior delin-
secure and pay for healthcare quent and criminal behavior Lack of Appropriate Value
insurance. This can result in not appeared to be more prevalent and Moral System. This
seeking medical help due to a in repeat offenders. In fact, becomes evident when a
lack of funds and more health many considered it to be a significant number of cases of
“badge of honor” or a “rite of repeat offenders are reviewed;
passage.” Additionally, in a inmates committing aggravated
substantial number of cases

62 | JULY | AUGUST 2021 AMERICANJails