Reincarceration: meaning, definitions and examples
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reincarceration
[ ˌriːɪnˈkɑːrsəˌreɪʃən ]
criminal justice
Reincarceration refers to the act of sending an individual back to prison after having been released. This is often due to a violation of parole conditions or the commission of a new crime. Reincarceration can highlight issues within the criminal justice system, such as the challenges of rehabilitation and the effectiveness of parole supervision.
Synonyms
detention, imprisonment, re-imprisonment
Examples of usage
- The study showed a high rate of reincarceration among former inmates.
- Reincarceration can be detrimental to individuals trying to reintegrate into society.
- The policy changes aimed to reduce occurrences of reincarceration.
Etymology
The term 'reincarceration' is formed from the prefix 're-', meaning 'again', and 'incarceration', which comes from the Latin 'incarcerare', meaning 'to imprison'. The use of 'incarceration' in English dates back to the late 19th century when it began to be used in a legal context. As discussions around the criminal justice system evolved, particularly regarding recidivism and rehabilitation, the term 'reincarceration' emerged to describe the phenomenon of former prisoners being incarcerated again. In recent decades, the increasing focus on prison reform, mental health issues, and societal reintegration has led to heightened awareness of the factors contributing to reincarceration, emphasizing the need for better support systems for individuals transitioning from prison back to society.