Trauma of Institutionalization: Is It Possible That an Ex-Convict Will Recidivate Due to Institutionalization?
To begin this blog, I would like to quote: “With one in every 108 Americans behind bars, the deinstitutionalization of prisons is a pressing issue for all those facing the daunting challenges of successfully reintegrating ex-offenders into both their communities and the larger society” (Frazier, Sung, Gideon, & Alfaro, 2015).
Similar to military life, prison is highly structured. The Prisoner is immersed in a disciplined environment where their daily activities are monitored and planned. This raises an important question: might an ex-convict struggle to reintegrate into society after spending so much time in the controlled environment of prison life? When combined with prior trauma—whether biological, developmental, or social—as well as learned behaviors from their neighborhoods, social groups, and the prison system, could this contribute to the high recidivism rates among ex-convicts (Bartol & Bartol, 2021)?
Moreover, both combat veterans and former convicts might experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on a higher level than those in society due to the trauma of institutionalization and the stress they endured while in these settings (American Psychiatric Association, 2025). While the life experiences of these two groups may differ, the process of becoming institutionalized in either environment increases the likelihood of issues such as drug abuse, violent tendencies, and antisocial behavior. This is because participation in such systems often requires individuals to suppress their individuality for the greater good of the institution. This lack of individuality can make it harder for them to adapt once released, potentially leading them back to crime as it may be the only environment they understand.
Another quote that helps us understand the need for change states: “Social voids like those created by deinstitutionalization must be filled; and with states deinstitutionalizing offenders, the toll is on their corresponding communities to address the needs of those offenders who are reentering after being incarcerated” (Frazier, Sung, Gideon, & Alfaro, 2015).
Both groups often develop a strong sense of belonging to the communities they were part of. While many combat veterans learn to cope with stress in healthy ways, convicts may become so indoctrinated by the criminal justice system that they are unable to reintegrate into society. If this happens, they might resort to committing crimes in an effort to return to the only environment they genuinely know.
It is also interesting to note that, in order to become a police officer, one must be at least 21 years old, while the minimum age to enlist in the military is typically 18 or even 17 with parental consent. The frontal lobe, which is responsible for decision-making and impulse control, continues to develop throughout these years. This suggests that society may prioritize younger individuals for law enforcement or military service roles because their brains are still developing and are, therefore, more malleable. Furthermore, an adolescent convict’s brain continues to develop up until they are around 25, meaning their development within the carceral system might be hindered by institutionalization.
These parallels are both intriguing and deserving of further exploration.
References:
American Psychiatric Association. (2025). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., Text Revision). https://doi.org/10.5555/appi.books.9780890425787.x00pres
Bartol, C. R., & Bartol, A. M. (2021). Criminal behavior: A psychological approach (12th ed.). Pearson.
Frazier, B. D., Sung, H.-E., Gideon, L., & Alfaro, K. S. (2015, May 6). The impact of prison deinstitutionalization on Community Treatment Services. Health & Justice. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5151559/