An analysis of the social process theory reveals that society is greatly responsible for at risk youth, mass incarceration and recidivism in the juvenile justice. The social process theory is the view that criminality is a function of people’s interactions with various organizations, institutions, and processes in society; people in all walks of life have the potential to become delinquent or criminals if they maintain destructive relationships (Siegel Ph. D, 2000). Criminal behavior is learned just like any other conventional behavior (Siegel Ph. D, 2000). Since it is considerably uncomplicated to become delinquent it is imperative to put forth an effort to prevent it. Youth are greatly influenced by peers, their schools, and with their communities, of which they make the most interactions. As youth get older their outside factors become more influential than in-home factors, which cause them to stray from common norms, morals and values (“Social Process and Control Theories of Crime .” Introduction to Criminology , SAGE Publications , 2018.). Just as youth are taught right from wrong at a young age, youth are taught criminal or deviant behaviors, usually from influences within their communities.
Youth spend much of their time at schools, and outside the home with other peers. Many of their influences come from their peers for the simple fact that youth naturally want to feel welcomed or as if they belong. Many peer influences come from peer pressure within cliques or social groups. Peer pressure is a recurring phenomenon in criminal or deviant behavior especially, as it pertains to adolescents. It may begin in early childhood of about 5 years and increase through childhood to become more intense in adolescence years (May Omogho Esiri (Ph.D.), 2016). Young people take part in criminal behavior because they learn behavior rationalization which enables them to overcome societal values and norms and break the law (Siegel, 2000). When someone breaks the law with a minor offense and gets away with it, it becomes an example for others and a form of motivation to continue to take part in other deviant acts. Motivations for criminals and law abiding behavior can not be one in the same (Melanie Norwood, n.d.). With that being said, you can’t be driven to a successful life and you in turn rob a bank. You wouldn’t be truly successful because your earnings aren’t really yours and you broke the law. For youth, when they see an example being set that may be perceived as acceptable it pushes them to participate which puts youth at risk of being placed in the juvenile justice system.
Many individuals who are in the criminal justice system have been incarcerated for taking part in delinquent activities in their communities which is influenced by negative societal factors. There are 2.2 million people in the nation’s prisons and jails—a 500% increase over the last 40 years (Criminal Justice Facts. The Sentencing Project. n.d.). Many of those who are incarcerated committed crimes by being around the wrong group of people that negatively influenced their lifestyle. A lot of offenders reportedly have not finished high school and lack resources for an acceptable lifestyle, since many come from impoverished households or neighborhoods. Most impoverished neighborhoods have little to no resources that positively impact individuals lives such as community centers and different outreach programs. These lack of programs cause members of the community to go out and take part in delinquent activities for the simple fact that “there is just nothing else to do”. With that being said, bad company is seen as the the only available company setting poor examples of the way of life.
There is already a large number of people in the criminal justice system so it is important to decrease these numbers and keep people out of the system. Numerous offenders come from bad neighborhoods where all they know are crimes and deviant behaviors. Usually many offenders try not to reoffend or ‘relapse’ to go back to prison. For some other offenders it is hard, simply because of the neighborhoods they may come from and they company they keep. Recidivism rates are unacceptably high, within three years of release, about two-thirds (67.8 percent) of released prisoners were rearrested. Within five years of release, about three-quarters (76.6 percent) of released prisoners were rearrested (The Crime Report, 2018). Some offenders do not have the opportunity to save themselves from recidivism because it’s harder to get jobs and find other ways to avoid criminal behavior. Recidivism is a major issue which emerges from within groups of society and can be controlled by more positive influences.
In conclusion, the social process theory puts society at fault for the rates of justice system. The social process theory supports the thought that criminals are taught opposed to individuals being born criminals. It simply enhances the understanding of influences within society and how they affect the lives of those in the communities. Deviant behavior is not biological but it is psychological, considering that there is a process of learning. Just as you’d learn to ride a bike, or throw a ball criminal behavior is learned the same way. Criminal behavior is influenced by those around us, in our communities and different neighborhoods. It is important to maintain a positive environment and create better influences so members of society can grasp the concept of a better lifestyle. Societal norms, values, and morals need to be re-embedded to help maintain social order. Habits of what may be considered an acceptable lifestyle are greatly encouraged to adjust the rates of at risk youth, mass incarceration and recidivism. Noone is born a criminal!