Is Artificial Intelligence Woke?
I asked ChatGPT about recidivism crime rates in NYC, here's what it had to say...
I put ChatGPT’s artificial intelligence program to the test this weekend, asking it to write an article about recidivism crime rates in NYC over the last 5 years. I was really curious to see if A.I. would honestly acknowledge crime increases, lean into the progressive narratives around criminal justice reforms, and if the language about policing would contain any biases.
My Personal Notes on the A.I. Generated Essay:
A.I. admits that recidivism is high over the last 5 years, acknowledging that almost half of prison and jail releases re-offend within 3 years.
A.I. then unpacks why this happens, suggesting that lack of rehabilitation services in prison and jail is a major contributing factor. Regardless of how you feel about this issue (no one is ever against better programs), things like education and job training are not the primary function of jails. “Technically you could call incarcerating someone from society whatever you want, and the left would certainly use words like punishment or cruel, always ignoring whatever crimes they committed. Locking up criminals for not following the law is justice. It’s about separating the good from the bad, and making the public safe. Serving time is justice for a crime committed against society. Punishment is a misleading word. ” - NYC Department of Corrections Captain Patrick Ferraiuolo.
A.I. notes that overall crime incidents decreased over 5 years, while some categories (like gun violence) had sharp increases in 2020. It’s important to note that AI doesn’t capture data beyond 2021 just yet, which would show continued overall increases in many violent crime categories.
It’s also important to note that A.I. is pulling this data from every article written on the subject and averaging the answers together. Whatever progressive suggestions included could simply be because they are written about (and suggested) so often, not because they are true.
The conclusion acknowledged the importance of police presence, as well as community policing, drug rehabilitation, and mental health services. All of which NYC currently funds more than any other major city.
Maybe it’s time that NYC leaders take a step back and ask bigger questions, such as how can we spend this money more effectively? And what policy & mandates regarding drug treatment and mental health services would best serve the city right now? How do we rise to the occasion and meet this moment?
Here’s the A.I generated essay in full:
Recidivism Crime Rates in NYC: A Look at the Last 5 Years
Recidivism refers to the act of reoffending or committing another crime after being released from prison or jail. The problem of recidivism is a significant concern for both the government and the community as it puts public safety at risk and is costly to manage. In New York City, recidivism rates have remained high over the last five years, and this article explores the trends and contributing factors to the issue.
Recidivism in New York City
Recidivism rates in New York City have been high over the last five years, with some fluctuations in the numbers. According to the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice, as of 2021, the overall three-year recidivism rate in New York City is 42.3%, which means that almost half of the people who were released from prison or jail were rearrested within three years.
The recidivism rates vary across different types of offenses. For example, the three-year recidivism rate for individuals who were released after serving time for drug offenses was 43.7%. In comparison, the rate was 38.3% for individuals who were incarcerated for violent offenses. The recidivism rate for individuals who were released after serving time for property offenses was 42.4%.
Factors Contributing to Recidivism
Several factors contribute to recidivism in New York City. The lack of rehabilitation programs in prisons and jails is a significant contributor. These programs are designed to help individuals transition back into society and reduce the likelihood of reoffending. However, many prisons and jails in New York City do not offer sufficient rehabilitation programs or have limited resources to do so.
Another contributing factor is poverty and unemployment. Many individuals who are released from prison or jail struggle to find employment due to their criminal record, which can lead them to turn to crime as a means of survival. The lack of economic opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals can also lead to a cycle of poverty, making it difficult for them to rebuild their lives.
Mental health and substance abuse issues are also significant contributors to recidivism. Many individuals who are incarcerated have underlying mental health or substance abuse issues that are not adequately addressed during their time in prison or jail. Without proper treatment, these individuals are at a higher risk of reoffending upon their release.
Crime Rates in New York City over the Last 5 Years
The overall crime rate in New York City has been declining over the last five years. In 2017, the city recorded 102,052 crimes, while in 2021, there were 82,861 crimes reported, representing a 19% decrease in crime. However, despite this overall decrease in crime, some types of offenses have increased.
For example, gun violence has been a significant problem in New York City over the last five years, with a sharp increase in shootings since 2020. In 2020, the city recorded 1,531 shootings, representing a 97% increase from the previous year. Similarly, robberies increased by 5% from 2017 to 2021, with a total of 12,204 robberies reported in 2021.
Relationship between Recidivism and Crime Rates
There is a correlation between recidivism and crime rates in New York City. The high recidivism rates contribute to the overall crime rate in the city. Individuals who are released from prison or jail and are at a higher risk of reoffending are more likely to commit crimes, leading to an increase in crime rates.
Factors Contributing to High Crime Rates
Several factors contribute to the high crime rates in New York City, including gang activity, economic inequality, and access to illegal firearms. Gang activity has been a significant problem in some areas of the city, leading to violence and drug-related crimes. Economic inequality also contributes to high crime rates, as individuals living in poverty are more likely to turn to crime as a means of survival. Finally, easy access to illegal firearms makes it easier for individuals to commit violent crimes.
Efforts to Reduce Recidivism and Crime Rates in New York City
To address the issue of recidivism and reduce crime rates in New York City, various efforts have been implemented over the last five years. One approach has been to offer rehabilitation programs for offenders. These programs help individuals develop new skills and reduce the likelihood of reoffending upon their release.
Job training and employment assistance programs have also been introduced to provide formerly incarcerated individuals with job opportunities and help them rebuild their lives. Mental health and substance abuse treatment programs have also been implemented to provide support to individuals struggling with these issues.
In addition, increased police presence and community policing initiatives have been implemented in some areas of the city to reduce crime rates. These initiatives aim to build trust between law enforcement and the community and prevent crime before it occurs.
Conclusion
Recidivism rates in New York City remain high, with many individuals who are released from prison or jail at a high risk of reoffending. The lack of rehabilitation programs, poverty, unemployment, and mental health and substance abuse issues are significant contributors to this issue. While the overall crime rate in the city has decreased over the last five years, some types of offenses, such as gun violence and robberies, have increased. Addressing the issue of recidivism and reducing crime rates in New York City requires a comprehensive approach that includes rehabilitation programs, job training, mental health, and substance abuse treatment, and increased police presence and community policing initiatives.