Overall, various methods to prevent recidivism have been utilized. Some of these include providing help and rehabilitation after prisoners are released. Specifically, California already gives drug treatment, counseling, risk assessment, and housing assistance. Additionally, health care has also been provided.
Personlly, my thoughts are that if a prisoner is convicted of a crime within 1 year of being released, they should be subjected to a harsher and longer sentence. I would also recommend implementing more intense therapy and parole procedures to act as deterrents to prevent further convictions.
APA.org has this to say:
"A study by research scientist Steven S. Martin involving inmates in the Delaware Correctional System also highlights the value of treating prisoners for substance abuse problems during and after incarceration. The Delaware program featured a continuum of care in which some inmates transitioned back into the community through a work-release program involving therapeutic communities (TC) - drug-free residential settings which feature continuous monitoring by counselors, group therapy and family sessions. Dr. Martin found that after one year, a significantly higher percentage of inmates who had participated in any aspect of the program were drug free and arrest free than those assigned to the usual work release program. And after three years, those who had continued with the TC aftercare had significantly less drug use and re-arrests than those who dropped out of the program." [2]
1: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recidivism#California
2: http://www.apa.org/research/action/aftercare.aspx
