A Better Option

By: Eliree Yakpasuo

Throughout the last forty years, mass incarceration has become a huge problem within

the judicial system in the United States. Since 1980, the United States prison population has

quadrupled; there are about 2.2 million people in the nations prisons and jails making the U.S

the worlds leader in incarceration; 1 in 3 black men in the United States will go to prison if this

trend continues. Due to a series of law enforcements and policy changes, the number of people

incarcerated for drug offenses has doubled from 1980-2015 (Criminal Justice Facts). Not to

mention, as prison building costs escalates, the government has cut off funding for education,

rehabilitation, job training and drug treatments which are programs that inmates can benefit

from. Now let me ask you a question, have you ever had a loved one serve his or her time, get

released from prison and have no sense of direction? Well if you answered yes to this question, I

can relate to how you feel. As a young girl living in a black community, I have observed many

close friends and distant family members released from jail and end up right back in less than

two years. Since many inmates are released from prison with a record, it makes it difficult to find

a job and to become socially accepted in society. As a result, inmates are left to be mentally

dysfunctional and return to prison with a new conviction. As an alternative, I am advocating for

A Better Option- an organization that requires all inmates who are released from prison to attend

a trade school funded by the government in every state to attain certification in a trade of their

choice. Not only will A Better Option positively impact the future of inmates with endless job

opportunities, an education and social stability but also, through this organization, less money

would be needed for incarcerations because fewer paroled inmates would be reconvicted.
 The tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend is called

recidivism. The best understanding of recidivism is based from

data provided by the U.S Department of Justice, Bureau of

Justice Statistics which states that two-thirds (68 percent) of

prisoners released were arrested for a new crime within three

years of release from prison, and three-quarters (77 percent)

were arrested within five years (Sipes). According to these

statistics, it is evident that these individuals are not getting the proper services provided to

ensure a smooth transition back into their communities. Recidivism has become a major problem

within the judicial system as the U.S District Court for the Central District of California called

together a conference to discuss ways in which they could improve the reentry process. Professor

Cherry Short, dean of global and community initiatives stated that with few programs to help

them, chances are theyre going to reoffend, its a societal problem, not a prison problem. It

affects all of us (Dory); I totally agree with Professor Short. The problem is that these

individuals face many challenges upon release from prison and may not be physically or

mentally prepared to contribute towards a better life not because do not want to, but because of

the simple fact that they do not have the support to help them out of this cycle of failure. People

believe that the biggest impediment is lack of job opportunities for ex-offenders because not

many careers hire individuals with a criminal background. But if we all have this mindset how

will we ever grow as a community? Like Davis said during the conference we have to believe

that redemption is possible (Dory).

 With this being said, a good education is the foundation to a better future. Although,

some individuals may disagree because they believe that even with all the programs and services

that may facilitate transformation, it is really up to the individual to allow themselves to be

transformed, which I agree with 100%. However, as an advocator for A Better Option, I want to

bring an end to that misconception that ex-offenders cannot be redeemed. Not only will they gain

an education and job opportunities through this organization, but also, they will have a support

system- people who believe that no one is perfect, everyone makes mistakes and can change for

the better. Lets come together as a community and help our brothers and sisters make a better

future for themselves!

Works Cited
Criminal Justice Facts. The Sentencing Project. Sentencingproject.org. Web. 21 April 2017

Dory, Cadonna. Society Must Address Recidivism. USC News. Nov. 11 2016. Web. 21 April

2017.

Sipes, Leonard A. Percent of Released Prisoners Returning to Incarceration. Crime in

America. Sept. 29 2010. Web. 21 April 2017.