Recidivism means reoffending. Recidivism can only be averted by supporting rehabilitative programs and preparing the incarcerated for social reintegration upon release.

Recidivism means reoffending. Recidivism is one of the most fundamental concepts in criminal justice, or a core criminal justice concern. It refers to a person’s relapse into criminal behavior, often after the person receives sanctions or undergoes intervention for a previous crime. Many a time, when inmates are released into the society without proper capacity building, emotional and psycho-social readiness, they end up reoffending and get caught in an endless rat-race where they become re-incarcerated for their repeat offences (or simply, for being repeat offenders).

Recidivism can only be averted by supporting rehabilitative programs and preparing the incarcerated for social reintegration upon release. Public attitude and opinion helps to shape policy framework and also play an important role in whether or not a person returns to crime. Therefore, decreasing recidivism involves in part, preparing the society/community to which the individual is reentering, including potential employers, to receive former prisoners/offenders. There is also need to reduce the severe stigma typically associated with offending and former offenders who (mostly) desperately need a second chance at life. This may include cultivating or fostering an environment of political goodwill, awareness-raising, engaging in multiagency collaboration, and incentivizing success stories or successful outcomes.

CELSIR endeavors to ensure that former offenders are not accorded limited support and resources necessary for their recovery, and welfare crucial for their reentry into society. To this end, we are committed to be the promoter for breaking the recidivism cycle. This is in line with the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (The Nelson Mandela Rules), Rule 91 as read with Rule 4 paragraphs 1 and 2, which advocates for capacity building of prison inmates to ensure, as much as possible, the reintegration of former offenders into the society by exposing them to activities, services and programs that inspire their self-respect and develops their sense of responsibility, thereby ensuring that they can lead law-abiding and self-supporting lives, post incarceration.