For a system meant to rehabilitate, an alarming number of incarcerated individuals are repeat offenders and returning inmates, an occurrence known as recidivism. Recidivism refers to a person's relapse into criminal behavior. It's measured by criminal acts that result in re-arrest, re-conviction, or return to prison.
Unfortunately, research has consistently shown that time spent in prison does not successfully rehabilitate most inmates, and the majority of criminals return to a life of crime almost immediately. ... Rehabilitation of prisoners is an extremely difficult process.