Our criminal justice system built upon punishment is meant to deter, not rehabilitate, yet empirical literature has shown it to accomplish neither. Rates of recidivism are astronomical in the United States, and existing research has shown it to correlate with countless variables, many of which being some form of trauma or strain in an individual’s life. Prison environments have been proven through multiple studies to correlate with negative impacts on inmates, with many who are released having new or worsened symptoms of anxiety, depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and other psychological trauma. Then, once an individual is released, they face an entirely new collection of barriers that prevent them from successfully re-entering society. This piece conducts a review of relevant literature and applies Robert Agnew’s General Strain Theory to offenders post-release, examining the question of whether or not the relationship between incarceration and recidivism is causal. The policy proposed in this piece is the implementation of minimum standards for re-entry planning, aimed at increasing the rate of successful re-entry among people released from prison. The goal of the program is to mitigate the primary identified barriers to re-entry, specifically finances, housing, transportation, and social support.

Professor Kenya Brumfield-Young has had a massive impact on my confidence and my interest in criminal justice. Whenever I struggled with assignments, she provided support and encouraged me that I would be able to succeed, showing me kindness and a deep devotion to her students, their health, and their happiness. Her compassion for those who have suffered has been such a huge inspiration and source of validation for me as I pursue my long-held desire to become a public defense attorney! I appreciate her so immensely for everything that she has done!