Arkansas and Oklahoma have differing rates of recidivismin their prison systems with over 42% of released prisoners in Arkansas while just 20.1% in Oklahoma are being re-arrested within three years.
This cycle of re-offending places a heavy burden on both the individuals involved and the states' criminal justice systems.
In Arkansas, despite rehabilitation programs and reintegration efforts, many former inmates struggle to find stable employment, housing, and support networks.
These barriers often lead them back to criminal activities and, ultimately, back to prison3. The state is considering comprehensive reforms, including the Act 1190 Final Report, which aims to create a holistic and seamless approach for reentry.
Similarly, Oklahoma faces its own challenges with recidivism. Although the state has made efforts to reduce recidivism rates, the economic impact of re-offending remains substantial2. Oklahoma is also exploring reforms to address these issues and provide better support for those re-entering society.
By comparison, surrounding states such as Kansas (64.7%), Missouri, (43.9%), Louisiana (39.1%), and Texas (24.9%) fall within different spectrums between Arkansas and Oklahoma.
National incarceration experts say a significant portion of the prison population in Kansas has mental health issues and substance abuse disorders. These conditions are often not adequately addressed during incarceration or upon release, leading to higher chances of re-
Many released prisoners struggle to find stable employment, housing, and support networks. Without these resources, they often revert to criminal activities.
Both Arkansas and Oklahoma are committed to creating a more intelligent and just criminal justice system that targets the appropriate offenders and ensures that those released from prison have the resources and support they need to become productive, law-abiding citizens.
As both states continue to tackle this pressing issue, the hope is that these reforms will break the cycle of recidivism and pave the way for a more effective and humane criminal justice system.
