The Idea of an Essay, Volume 4

162 The Idea of an Essay: Volume 4 References Allen, R. (2006). An Economic Analysis of Prison Education Programs and Recidivism” . Emory University, Department of Economics This paper provides a thoroughly different view than the majority opinion regarding literacy programs and recidivism. Looking from a number of different perspectives, it argues that literacy programs actually do not decrease recidivism, and may even increase it. This piece proves to be an immense resource while trying to evaluate both sides of the argument, and not just one side. Anderson, D. A. (1999). The aggregate burden of crime. The Journal of Law and Economics , 42(2), 611-642. This journal article helps evaluate the total financial burden of crime on the United States economy. This helps bring a significant reason for considering the recidivism that is so high within the criminal justice system, because of the excessively large burden crime plays, which is caused so highly by recidivism. Blumberg, D., & Griffen, D. (2013). Family Connections: The Importance of Prison Reading Programs for Incarcerated Parents andTheir Children. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 52, 254-269. This paper provides a thoroughly discussed breakdown of a family literacy program that allows offenders to read to their children. It argues that these programs provide incentive for good behavior, as well as reducing recidivism and helping with reintegration. The programs also can drastically help motivate offenders’ children to chase literacy, and this helps lower the chance that they also will be an offender in the future. The program presented provides a method the researchers feel provides more quality time for offenders with their children. This piece helps in a unique way by bringing a wide breadth of