Statement to the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime Regarding Reducing Reoffending Through Rehabilitation and Reintegration

REDUCING REOFFENDING THROUGH
REHABILITATION AND REINTEGRATION

Recidivism and the evidentiary tendency of convicted criminals to reoffend is a global issue for society. The need for rehabilitation to ensure a formative reintegration into society and to prevent re-offenders from committing crimes is imperative and necessary.

Although the prison system in the United States of America is far from perfect and there is significant variation among municipal, state and federal systems and among individual facilities, the better-run systems and facilities provide evidence-based treatment to their incarcerated populations. The ultimate objective is to reduce the ills of recidivism as people who have been incarcerated return to their communities.  Offenders are subsequently assessed to determine their medical condition, family needs, educational level and mental health; there are reentry programs that are quite effective in aligning with the purposes of reentry for incarcerated people.  Through steadfast caring staff, many offenders are offered effective post-release services and emotional support.

We are of the belief that it is vital to offer formerly incarcerated offenders the ability and means to lead fulfilling and meaningful lives.  Upon release, it is of the utmost importance to provide case management, personal coaching, recovery support, and referrals for substance abuse treatment and other mental health issues; and to direct participants to mentors as well as provide housing, transportation, and employment resources.  The needs of offenders reentering the community are profound, creating a deep desire for services that are gender sensitive and also attuned to the needs of children and youth to assist offenders in their transition into society.  A holistic approach to reentry—one that concentrates on the challenges faced by offenders as they transition to civilian life as well as the impact of their return to families is crucial in comprehending that there is no singular uniform paradigm for successful reentry.  Utilizing peer support may increase the positive outcome of reintegration post incarceration by preventing relapse of criminal activity such as drugs and domestic violence, promoting swift recovery and diminishing the likelihood of recidivism.

With the goal of upholding the efficacy of the complex integration of incarcerated people, reducing reoffending through rehabilitation with the aid of NGOs ought to be examined within the objective of an international human rights framework, through the scrupulous lens of conforming to the rule of law and adhering to the deterrent principles of the criminal justice system.

In summation, we support the commitment to reduce reoffending, which was clearly expressed by the U.N. Member States and is reflected in the “Kyoto Declaration on Advancing Crime Prevention, Criminal Justice and the Rule of Law: Towards the Achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (the outcome document of the 14th U.N. Crime Congress).

United Nations Committee
Catherine Van Kampen, Co-Chair
Sophia Murashkovsky, Co-Chair
Ervin Nina, Co-Chair

August 2022