A key term relating especially to American prison systems is Recidivism. This term is used for when a prisoner is released and then re-incarcerated. In the US we have nationally a 68% recidivism rate (Huffington Post). Even bringing the percentage down, this means that 2/3rds of released prisoners end back up in the system.
Norway has one of the lowest recidivism rates in the world sitting at around 20% versus America's 68% (Huffington Post)
Norway obviously views crime and punishment in a much different way than the US. This is understandable, but due to their different views, we cannot expect the US to change to this Utopian idea over night, nor would it be effective to. Therefore; we must look to other states, and federal, rehabilitation programs that we could use as a template for growth and reform.
Where Do We Start?
Rehabilitation
The goal is to reduce the prison population and to do this we must tackle recidivism. How? As we have seen from Norway a great, and effective, way is via quality rehabilitation programs. States like Oregon and North Dakota have already started to employ programs that are based on Norwegian ethics and ideas. Their programs are already seeing great results, although on a small scale. A program already in place called the Prisoner Entrepreneurship Program (PEP) is centered at rehabilitation. With a 7% recidivism rate of it's participants, this program works extremely well (PEP).
The over arching goal and the most effective, and realistic, way to reduce the prison population in the US is to not replace the whole system but to expand upon rehabilitation programs like PEP that are already in place.
For more information on PEP and similar programs click HERE
The over arching goal and the most effective, and realistic, way to reduce the prison population in the US is to not replace the whole system but to expand upon rehabilitation programs like PEP that are already in place.
For more information on PEP and similar programs click HERE
Federalsim
A major problem, and a great starting area, is the fact that there is not a US Prison System. It is the US Prison Systems. Due to the division of the US into 50 states and the federal government we find a roadblock to a fast track fix of the prison population.
Economics
The next problem is how intertwined the prison systems are with the American economy. To introduce rehabilitation programs cost money, a lot of money, and there people that make billions of dollars off of the mass incarceration in this country.
Participation and Media
Finally we must understand that there is a stigma against prisoners in America, for good reason, but that doesn't change the fact or help them to rehabilitate. If people don't believe in the fact that criminals can change then those prisoners will not get a chance to change.