even the US has some experimental methods in use to reduce recidivism. the various efforts being made leave Aus looking like 19thC thinkers. not much has improved in our prison system since the early 90s when prisoners rights were recognised and the efforts made to change the culture of prison officers from punishers to security guards, where inmates were classed as being in prison as punishment, instead of for punishment.
and with state govts increasing/tightening laws to lock up more and more people they are creating a more violent recidivist culture.
20 yrs ago I read a research paper from India where they were using Theravedic buddhist practices. they took the most violent offenders in the state and reduced recidivism to approx.10%.
in the NSW prison system, I've seen young fellers in for cannabis supply taken under the wing of major drug dealers in the bin. this is where we they need to start, by separating the novices from the hard crims.
