Follow this link to see homicide rates in US in 2019: https://www.statista.com/statistics/195331/number-of-murders-in-the-us-by-state/
In my 5 years’ experience serving those who are incarcerated I have found that many of these crimes to be drug rated. Please follow the below website to learn more: https://www.bjs.gov/search/index.cfm?q=drug+related+crime+2018&Go.x=0&Go.y=0#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=drug%20related%20crime%202018&gsc.page=1
I want to make some very clear. In my opinion crime is very personal. Most crimes (Statistics, 2019)happen on the worst day of their life and as there are those who do not feel shame or grief for what they have done there are many that do. I have come across both in my service. They can be divided into a few very distinct groups and they all have a different feeling about them. Let me explain a little more.
Disclaimer: When you work with this community you are able to find their offender sheet online with a photo, their inmate number, and a list of their offences and how long they are expected to serve. It is very important for me to learn their names and faces as fast as possible so I would match their name with their photo published on the site. Only when I was made uncomfortable or lost control of my groups due to a disruption would I read what they had done. Like I said, crime is very personal and unless they talked about it in class I did not seek it out. This allows me to remain neutral and objective. It does not matter to me what they have done in their past. What matters is their wellbeing, their current mental and physical state and where they are going. Many of them are going to be our neighbors one day and that is how I try to see them. An unconditional act of non-judgement, respect and self-awareness will get you very far with this population.
Those who have shame, guilt, grief:
Drug related Crimes
The following is a list of what I have learned working with those in each crime group. This does include men and women.
Drug related crime:
Most crimes happen on the worst day of their life. When you think about it; I am sure you can think of a day in your life when you thought of the easy way out, wanted to express anger, vent, argue, lie or hide something from your loved ones. There are a few things different from the way you react to the way someone else may act. Coping skills, rational thought, family/friend support and the ability to ask for help. Sometimes the wrong things have worked in the past, leading to a miss-lesson resulting in the repeat of an unhealthy, unsafe act that could harm self and others mentally and or physically. Just for a second, think about how you would feel if your coffee maker didn’t work in the morning, you were running late and didn’t have time to stop for coffee, the coffee maker at work isn’t working and you are stuck in a rut all because you missed your morning cup of coffee. Now imagine food instead of coffee. What would you do for food? What if you were unable to work, lacked social skills, couldn’t get to the store, no one to help or too ashamed to ask for help. Think of something that you need, something that you relay upon, something you may take for granted. What would you do to get it? I’m sure you wouldn’t hurt yourself but some do. I’m sure you wouldn’t steal it, but some do. Your worst day maybe not having your coffee, being called into the boss’ office or a speeding ticket. Their worst day is repeated by their lack of coping skills and desperation to satisfy that need, whatever it maybe. See, we are not very different after all.
- In 2018, there were an estimated 1,206,836 violent crimes. The estimated number of three violent crime offenses decreased when compared with estimates from 2017. Robbery offenses fell 12.0 percent, murder and non-negligent manslaughter offenses fell 6.2 percent, and the estimated volume of aggravated assault offenses decreased 0.4 percent. The estimated volume of rape (revised definition) offenses increased 2.7 percent.
- Nationwide, there were an estimated 7,196,045 property crimes. The estimated numbers for all three property crimes showed declines when compared with the previous year’s estimates. Burglaries dropped 11.9 percent, larceny-thefts decreased 5.4 percent, and motor vehicle thefts were down 3.1 percent.
- Collectively, victims of property crimes (excluding arson) suffered losses estimated at $16.4 billion in 2018.
- The FBI estimated law enforcement agencies nationwide made 10.3 million arrests, (excluding those for traffic violations) in 2018.
- The arrest rate for violent crime was 159.9 per 100,000 inhabitants, and the arrest rate for property crime was 361.2 per 100,000 inhabitants.
- By violent crime offense, the arrest rate for murder and non- (Justice, 2019)negligent manslaughter was 3.7 per 100,000 inhabitants; rape (aggregate total using the revised and legacy definition), 7.7; robbery, 27.2; and aggravated assault, 121.4 per 100,000 inhabitants.
- Of the property crime offenses, the arrest rate for burglary was 54.9 per 100,000 inhabitants; larceny-theft, 275.5; and motor vehicle theft, 28.1. The arrest rate for arson was 2.8 per 100,000 inhabitants.
- In 2018, 13,497 law enforcement agencies reported their staffing levels to the FBI. These agencies reported that, as of October 31, 2018, they collectively employed 686,665 sworn officers and 288,640 civilians—a rate of 3.4 employees per 1,000 inhabitants. (Justice, 2019)
Follow this link to see homicide rates in US in 2019: https://www.statista.com/statistics/195331/number-of-murders-in-the-us-by-state/
In my 5 years’ experience serving those who are incarcerated I have found that many of these crimes to be drug rated. Please follow the below website to learn more: https://www.bjs.gov/search/index.cfm?q=drug+related+crime+2018&Go.x=0&Go.y=0#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=drug%20related%20crime%202018&gsc.page=1
I want to make some very clear. In my opinion crime is very personal. Most crimes (Statistics, 2019)happen on the worst day of their life and as there are those who do not feel shame or grief for what they have done there are many that do. I have come across both in my service. They can be divided into a few very distinct groups and they all have a different feeling about them. Let me explain a little more.
Disclaimer: When you work with this community you are able to find their offender sheet online with a photo, their inmate number, and a list of their offences and how long they are expected to serve. It is very important for me to learn their names and faces as fast as possible so I would match their name with their photo published on the site. Only when I was made uncomfortable or lost control of my groups due to a disruption would I read what they had done. Like I said, crime is very personal and unless they talked about it in class I did not seek it out. This allows me to remain neutral and objective. It does not matter to me what they have done in their past. What matters is their wellbeing, their current mental and physical state and where they are going. Many of them are going to be our neighbors one day and that is how I try to see them. An unconditional act of non-judgement, respect and self-awareness will get you very far with this population.
Those who have shame, guilt, grief:
- Express remorse in an outward manor.
- Often sad or looking down to the ground.
- Can sometimes be aloof, far away in thought.
- Easily alienated.
- Vulnerable.
- Fearful.
- Some are self-harming or harmful to others as they have no other way to express their selves.
- Poor problem solving.
- Improper drug use.
- Poor self-advocacy.
- Unable to see the needs of others, serving only their needs.
- Lack of morals.
- Unhealthy coping skills.
- Controlling, manipulative, deceitful.
- Boastful, proud, lack of empathy and sympathy
- Some leadership skills.
- Hateful, disregarding, aggressive, disrespectful.
- Attention seeking.
- Need to control their environment.
- Unhealthy coping skills.
- Poor problem solving.
- Verbally, mentally, and physically abusive.
- Sees no wrong doing in their actions.
- Does not regard others, their needs or safety.
- Improper drug use.
- Strong self-advocacy.
Drug related Crimes
The following is a list of what I have learned working with those in each crime group. This does include men and women.
Drug related crime:
- Addiction controls the mind as they have lost the ability to engage in rational thought and problem solve a way of coping without the drug.
- Mostly robbery, panhandling, possession, drug paraphernalia and trafficking.
- Poor or no coping skills.
- Guilt, fear, grief, trauma and shameful.
- Dependent and co-dependent.
- Unable to plan successfully for the next day.
- Locked in the moment.
- Loving but unable to see the needs of other over needs of self.
- Mental Illness
- Poor self-care
- Irrational thought
- Single minded (focused on finding the drug and getting high)
- Can be very keen and manipulating.
- Self-harming.
- Un-kept promises.
- Suicidal Ideation.
Most crimes happen on the worst day of their life. When you think about it; I am sure you can think of a day in your life when you thought of the easy way out, wanted to express anger, vent, argue, lie or hide something from your loved ones. There are a few things different from the way you react to the way someone else may act. Coping skills, rational thought, family/friend support and the ability to ask for help. Sometimes the wrong things have worked in the past, leading to a miss-lesson resulting in the repeat of an unhealthy, unsafe act that could harm self and others mentally and or physically. Just for a second, think about how you would feel if your coffee maker didn’t work in the morning, you were running late and didn’t have time to stop for coffee, the coffee maker at work isn’t working and you are stuck in a rut all because you missed your morning cup of coffee. Now imagine food instead of coffee. What would you do for food? What if you were unable to work, lacked social skills, couldn’t get to the store, no one to help or too ashamed to ask for help. Think of something that you need, something that you relay upon, something you may take for granted. What would you do to get it? I’m sure you wouldn’t hurt yourself but some do. I’m sure you wouldn’t steal it, but some do. Your worst day maybe not having your coffee, being called into the boss’ office or a speeding ticket. Their worst day is repeated by their lack of coping skills and desperation to satisfy that need, whatever it maybe. See, we are not very different after all.