Arguing for a reintegration program for those released from prison Essay

Arguing for a reintegration program for those released from prison - Essay Example According to Langan & David (2002), this is a worrying tread that can be attributed to several factors such as unsuccessful reintegration with the community, lack of employment and other similar factors. In his study, Mays & Winfree (2009) found out that these factors leads to low self esteem and self denial that encourages the offender to resort to other crimes. In light of such deliberations, it is correct to point out that, to reduce the rate of crime and recidivism, there is a need to create conduce environment for ex-offenders by giving them opportunity be employed and access other social economic services. The biggest concern that is raised in regard to employment discrimination of ex-offenders is in regard to what contribute to employment discrimination. First, laws put in place could be argued to play a huge part on the phenomenon at hand. For instance, state laws create room for denial of employment of ex-offenders. Most states have different definitions of circumstances under which ex-offenders can be disqualified from employment (Gottfredson, 2001). Most of these laws stipulates on specific felonies that can automatically disqualify ex-offenders from employment. Others stipulate a certain time periods after one is released from prison before they are considered eligible for employment. However, as much as some of these laws would be seen to protect the welfare of the employer, they end up making things difficult for the ex-offenders. This is arguably true because as Mays & Winfree (2009) pointed out, lack of second chance for ex-offenders makes them develop immune to arrests and incarceration. In fact, a study conducted by Holzer (2003), found out that some offenders like it more in prison than when they are out in the community. They argue that the biggest and most intriguing thing about prison is that one is denied freedom of doing what they want and that there is no difference of being in prison and when out in the community