Reviewing the Recidivism Rates Between the United States and Norway Based on Their Varying Prison Systems

Recidivism is the tendency of a convicted offender to relapse back into criminal behavior after having previously been sentenced and processed by the correctional system. Recidivism rates in the United States, where punishment is the primary goal of corrections, continue to rise. The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports inmates released from U. S. prisons recidivate at up to 70%. Whereas Norway, where there is an emphasis on rehabilitation and restoration, has one of the lowest recidivism rates, closer to 20%. Norwegian research concentrates on the relationship between post-release employment and recidivism. This paper examines the differences in recidivism between a punitive-focused model and a rehabilitation-centric model. Drawing from the research that examines goal-outcomes among prison inmates, and incarceration policies, a comparison among rehabilitation programs, cultural norms, and societal attitudes on offenders is studied to explain the differences in recidivism rates. By contrasting the methods and philosophies of these two countries, we begin to illuminate the effectiveness of each criminal justice system on offenders and greater society. The United States has struggled with high recidivism rates for decades, which gives rise to debates concerning the effectiveness of our prison system, and the contrast between punishment and rehabilitation. Comparatively, Norway is seen as a leader when it comes to low recidivism, probably because they focus on reintegration of prisoners after serving their sentence.