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Date: April 30, 2024 Tue
Time: 1:47 am
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Results for reentry
82 results foundAuthor: Nellis, Ashley Title: Back on Track: Supporting Youth Reentry from Out-of-Home Placement to the Community Summary: Members of the Juvenile Justice Reentry Task Force and the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Coalition offer this issue brief to raise awareness and encourage investment of resources to expand reentry services nationally. It outlines the concept of reentry services in theory and practice, offers a review of federal policy previously enacted to support reentry, suggests opportunities for improvements in public policy, and reviews promising initiatives. Details: Washington, DC: National Alliance to End Homelessness and The Sentencing Project, 2009 Source: Youth Reentry Task Force of the Juvenile Justice and Deliquency Prevention Coalition Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 117358 Keywords: HomelessnessJuvenile JusticeReentry |
Author: New Mexico. Governor Richardson's Task Force on Prison Reform Title: Increasing Public Safety in New Mexico Before, During and After Incarceration: New Directions for Reform in New Mexico Corrections Summary: From the executive summary: "This report examines the current corrections system in New Mexico. It proposes a comprehensive reform package to increase public safety, control prison population, and decrease recidivism rates. It also proposes a system to divert offenders, consistent with public safety, and in appropriate circumstances, from prison into treatment and other alternatives to incarceration. The Task Force recommends a more concerted effort to coordinate state resources and a shoring-up of infrastructures to treat endemic substance abuse and other behavioral health problems among offenders and ex-offenders. Additionally, the Task Force recommends the creation of new employment, education, and other opportunities for ex-offenders in order to facilitate successful reentry and transition back into the community. Details: Santa Fe, NM: 2008. 59p., app. Source: Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 116545 Keywords: DiversionPrisonersRecidivismReentry |
Author: Raphael, Steven Title: Improving Employment Prospects for Former Prison Inmates: Challenges and Policy Summary: This paper analyzes the employment prospects of former prison inmates and reviews recent evaluation of reentry programs that either aim to improvement employment among the formerly incarcerated or aim to reduce recidivism through treatment interventions centered on employment. Details: Cambridge, MA: National Bureau of Economic Research, 2010. 32p. Source: NBER Working Paper Series; Working Paper 15874 Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 117607 Keywords: EmploymentEx-Offenders (Employment)RecidivismReentry |
Author: Zillah, Alice Title: Re-Entry Housing Pilot Project: Offender Concentration Report Summary: The Washington State Re-Entry Housing Pilot Program (RHPP)is charged with the responsibility for providing grants to eligible organizations that offer housing and services to high-risk and high-need felony offenders who have been released from jail or prison and are still under supervision. In some cases, the community in which an applicant organization wants to site housing for released offenders resists the placement because of concerns about concentration or over-concentration of offenders in that community. This report examines similar re-entry housing programs in other states, and investigates whether there are best practices of successful policies from other states/jurisdictions that RHPP should consider adopting to address this challenge. Details: Olympia, WA: Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, 2008. 45p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 117631 Keywords: Ex-Offenders, HousingHousingReentry |
Author: Cortes, Katherine Title: Reentry Housing Options: The Policymakerss' Guide Summary: This policy guide provides practical steps that lawmakers and others can take to increase public safety through better access to affordable housing for individuals released to the community. It offers an overview of several commonly accessed housing options and also examines three distinct approaches to increasing the availability of these options: improving access, increasing housing stock and revitalizing neighborhoods. Details: New York: Council of State Governments Justice Center, 2010. 29p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 118612 Keywords: Housing, Ex-OffendersReentry |
Author: Fletcher, Renata Cobbs Title: Mentoring Former Prisoners: A Guide for Reentry Programs Summary: This manual draws on the experiences of the Ready4Work sites and established best practices in mentoring to provide guidelines for practitioners who are interested in developing a mentoring component that helps support ex-prisoners and quite possibly enhances the effectiveness of other program areas, such as job placement and retention. Details: Philadelphia: Public/Private Ventures, 2009. 90p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 118601 Keywords: Employment, Ex-OffendersEx-OffendersMentoringReentry |
Author: Clinks Title: What Works in Local Commissioning: A 360 Degree Perspective Summary: The Clinks London Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Development Project was established in 2006 and has worked to bring together voluntary sector organizations and commissioners to increase the range of services for offenders and ex-offenders. This report summarizes four pieces of research commissioned by Clinks to establish how a variety of services are commissioned for those leaving prison and serving sentences in the community. Each service is illustrated by case studies, giving perspectives from staff delivering the services, users of each service and those who commission the offender. The four services highlighted in this report include: 1) services provided by Adfam to support people affected by family members' drug use and crime; 2) services for people with a dual diagnosis of mental health problems along with drug or alcohol dependency; 3)a look at a variety of housing services commissioned for prison leavers; and 4) a program providing training and employment opportunities, with a focus on young black, Asian and minority ethic offenders. Details: York, UK: Clinks, 2008. 55p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2008 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 118624 Keywords: Drug OffendersEmployment, Ex-OffendersEx-Offenders, Services forHousingMentally Ill OffendersReentryVoluntary and Community Organizations (U.K.) |
Author: National League of Cities. Institute for Youth, Education and Families Title: Preventing Gang Violence and Building Communities Where Young People Thrive: A Toolkit for Municipal Leaders Summary: As a resource for mayors, councilmembers, senior municipal staff, law enforcement officials and community stakeholders and service providers, this toolkit shows how communities participating in the California Cities Gang Prevention Network - as well as cities throughout the U.S. - infuse their anti-gang work with the six core principles outlined in this report. Sections of the report explore a set of strategic partnerships that are critical to combating gang violence: cooperation among police, probation and parole, prosecutors, courts, state and federal law enforcement agencies and others in the criminal justice field; cross-system collaboration with county agencies; partnerships with schools; involvement of the faith community in mentoring and intervening with troubled youth; and engagement of neighborhood leaders and residents in supporting enforcement activities. In addition, it examines two target approaches that are becoming increasingly prevalent in cities across the country: the hiring of street outreach workers to divert gang-involved youth toward positive alternatives, prevent retaliation and promote nonviolent conflict resolution; and a growing focus on reentry strategies to ensure that young people and adults returning from detention facilities receive the services, supports and job opportunities needed. Details: Washington, DC: National League of Cities, 2010. 113p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 118418 Keywords: Gang ViolenceGangsPartnershipsReentry |
Author: Fontaine, Jocelyn Title: Evaluation of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and Corporation for Supportive Housing's Pilot Program: Interim Report, Oct. 2007-Sept. 2008. Summary: The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and the Corporation for Supportive Housing Ohio Office developed a pilot program that provides permanent supportive housing to individuals released from several Ohio prisons. The Pilot intends to reduce recidivism and homelessness/shelter usage and decrease the costs associated with multiple service system use. The Urban Institute is evaluating the Pilot to explore whether it is meeting its intended goals. This Interim Report covers the first year of the evaluation—describing the Pilot and its eligibility requirements; the UI evaluation methods; and the characteristics and preliminary outcomes of the Pilot's first 57 clients. Details: Washington, DC: Urban Institute, 2009. 34p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 119279 Keywords: Ex-Prisoners (Ohio)HousingRecidivismReentry |
Author: Lindahl, Nicole Title: Venturing Beyond the Gates: Facilitating Successful Reentry with Entrepreneurship Summary: The information, case studies and stories contained in this monograph aim to inspire professionals across entrepreneurship, workforce development and criminal justice fields to recognize and embrace entrepreneurship and self-employment as appropriate and valuable tools for reintegration. Details: New York: Prisoner Reentry Institute, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, 2007. 92p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2007 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 119421 Keywords: Ex-Prisoners, EmploymentReentry |
Author: Visher, Christy Title: Employment After Prison: A Longitudinal Study of Releasees in Three States Summary: This brief explores the reality of finding employment after prison from the perspective of 740 former male prisoners in Illinois, Ohio, and Texas. Interviews were conducted as part of a comprehensive, longitudinal study entitled Returning Home: Understanding the Challenges of Prisoner Reentry. Eight months after prison, 65 percent of respondents had been employed at some point, but only 45 percent were currently employed. Those who held a job while in prison or participated in job-training programs had better employment outcomes after release. Respondents who were employed and earning higher wages after release were less likely to return to prison the first year out. Details: Washington, DC: Urban Institute, Justice Policy Center, 2008. 9p. Source: Internet Resource; Research Brief Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 119544 Keywords: Ex-Offenders, EmploymentReentryRehabilitation |
Author: Latessa, Edward J. Title: MIDAS Outcome Evaluation: Final Report Summary: As more inmates are released to the community, states have begun to take a closer look at reentry processes and the factors related to successful offender adjustment back into the community. A recent study conducted by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PADOC) Office of Planning, Research, Statistics, and Grants found that parole violators have unrealistic expectations about life outside of prison, maintain antisocial values and beliefs, and lack the adequate skills to cope with everyday life issues (Bucklen & Zajac, 2005). In order to address these issues, PADOC developed the Making Intelligent Decisions and Succeeding (MIDAS) program, which is aimed to help parole violators overcome the obstacles to successful re-entry. Following the introduction, the report is divided into five sections. The first section provides an overview of the MIDAS program. The second section lists the research questions and outlines the methods used to address those questions. The third section presents the results from the outcome study. A summary of the findings is presented in the fourth section, and the fifth and final section provides recommendations based on the findings of this report." Details: Cincinnati, OH: University of Cincinnati, Division of Criminal Justice, Center for Criminal Justice Research, 2009. 59p. Source: Internet Resource; Accessed August 16, 2010 at: http://www.uc.edu/ccjr/Reports/ProjectReports/PA_MIDAS_Outcome_Evaluation_Final_Report.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: http://www.uc.edu/ccjr/Reports/ProjectReports/PA_MIDAS_Outcome_Evaluation_Final_Report.pdf Shelf Number: 119609 Keywords: Parole (Ohio)Parolees (Ohio)Reentry |
Author: Geller, Amanda Title: A Sort of Homecoming: Incarceration and Housing Security of Urban Men Summary: "While individuals returning from prison face many barriers to successful re-entry, among the most serious are the challenges they face in securing housing. Housing has long been recognized as a prerequisite for stable employment, access to social services, and other aspects of individual and family functioning. The formerly incarcerated face several administrative and de facto restrictions on their housing options; however, little is known about the unique instabilities that they face. We use a longitudinal survey of urban families to examine housing insecurity among nearly 3,000 urban men, including over 1,000 with incarceration histories. We find that men recently incarcerated face greater housing insecurity, including both serious hardships such as homelessness, and precursors to homelessness such as residential turnover and relying on others for housing expenses. Their increased risk is tied both to diminished annual earnings and other factors, including, potentially, evictions from public housing supported by Federal one-strike policies." Details: Princeton, NJ: Fragile Families, 2010. 40p. Source: Internet Resource; Accessed August 16, 2010 at: http://crcw.princeton.edu/workingpapers/WP10-06-FF.pdf; Fragile Families Working Paper: WP10-06-FF Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://crcw.princeton.edu/workingpapers/WP10-06-FF.pdf; Fragile Families Working Paper: WP10-06-FF Shelf Number: 118787 Keywords: HomelessnessHousing, Ex-OffendersReentrySocial Exclusion |
Author: Roman, Caterina Gouvis Title: The Corporation for Supportive Housing's Returning Home Initiative: System Change Accomplishments after Three Years Summary: In 2006, the Corporation for Supportive Housing launched its Returning Home Initiative (RHI) with two goals: 1) to establish permanent supportive housing as an essential reentry component for formerly incarcerated persons with histories of homelessness, mental illness, and chronic health conditions; and 2) to promote local and national policy changes to integrate the corrections, housing, mental health, and human service systems. The Urban Institute assessed the process of system change stimulated by RHI activities in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago — three communities receiving significant RHI investment. This brief summarizes the influence of RHI-funded activities in each of these cities. Details: Washington, DC: Urban Institute, Justice Policy Center, 2009. 7p. Source: Internet Resource: Summary Brief: Accessed August 19, 2010 at: http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/412024_returning_home_initiative.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/412024_returning_home_initiative.pdf Shelf Number: 119631 Keywords: Homelessness, Ex-OffendersHousingReentry |
Author: Fontaine, Jocelyn Title: System Change Accomplishments of the Corporation for Supportive Housing's Returning Home Initiative Summary: In 2006, the Corporation for Supportive Housing launched its Returning Home Initiative (RHI) with two goals: 1) to establish permanent supportive housing as an essential reentry component for formerly incarcerated persons with histories of homelessness, mental illness, and chronic health conditions; and 2) to promote local and national policy changes to integrate the corrections, housing, mental health, and human service systems. The Urban Institute assessed the process of system change stimulated by the RHI activities in three communities that received significant RHI investment and other jurisdictions. In addition, the report identifies challenges and lessons learned from the RHI to date. Details: Washington, DC: Urban Institute, Justice Policy Center, 2010. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 19, 2010 at: http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/412157-returning-home-initiative.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/412157-returning-home-initiative.pdf Shelf Number: 119632 Keywords: HomelessnessHousing, Ex-OffendersReentry |
Author: McDonald, Douglas Title: The Effectiveness of Prisoner Reentry Services as Crime-Control: The Fortune Society Summary: The Fortune Society, located in New York City, provides various services on a voluntary basis to offenders who have been incarcerated previously, at an average cost (in 2005) of about $3,265 per client. This study examines the extent to which receipt of these services reduces recidivism and homelessness following release. Recidivism is measured by an arrest leading to conviction; homelessness is indicated by a request to the NYC Department of Homeless Services for shelter. Fortune clients released to NYC from state prisons or from NYC jails during 2000-2005 are examined and their outcomes are compared to outcomes observed for state prisoners or local jail inmates released during same period but who did not go to Fortune. Multivariate survival analyses and propensity score analyses are used to estimate program effects on recidivism. No evidence of positive effects on recidivism is found. Indeed, Fortune clients were more likely to recidivate than non-clients, even after controlling for several measured differences among them. This should not be interpreted as showing that Fortune has negative effects on clients but instead that all differences associated with risk were not measured for lack of sufficient information. Fortune clients typically have long criminal records, little education, no legitimate employment, few employable skills, and are dependent upon others for housing. Their participation rates in Fortune’s services were generally low: one in four dropped out, and fewer than half completed the course of services. Half participated in no more than nine group sessions, whereas the most active 25% received 36 or more group sessions. Given clients’ generally dire circumstances, such low participation rates make it unlikely that positive program effects are achievable for the client population as a whole. Released prisoners are at high risk of homelessness. Using multivariate survival analysis techniques to account for the effects of measured differences among clients and non-clients, we estimate that participation in Fortune’s services has a positive effect on released jail prisoners’ ability to avoid homelessness throughout the years following release. No similar effect was found for released state prisoners, however. One possible explanation of this is that returning state prisoners have more access to services than returning city jail prisoners (90% of state prisoners leave under parole supervision), with the result that Fortune’s contribution of services is relatively greater for city prisoners, and possibly more effective for them. This hypothesis was not tested for lack of information about services to non-clients. Details: Cambridge, MA: Abt Associates, 2008. 100p. Source: Internet Resource: Accesssed September 22, 2010 at: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/225369.pdf Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/225369.pdf Shelf Number: 113422 Keywords: HomelessnessRecidivismReentryVoluntary and Community Organizations |
Author: Holloway, Katy Title: An Evaluation of the Women's Turnaround Project: Report Prepared for NOMS Cymru Summary: The Women’s Turnaround Project (WTP) was launched in Cardiff in November 2007 with the aim of providing women offenders and women at risk of becoming an offender and/or victim of crime, with a multi-agency, community-based service that addresses individual risks and needs. It is closely in tune with the recommendations of the Corston Report, which advocated a radical change in the way that women throughout the Criminal Justice System are treated, and in particular the development of more ‘holistic’ approaches (Corston, 2007, 1-2). Initially, the Project was funded for a six month ‘demonstrator’ period. However, in April 2008 funding for an additional 12 months of operation was secured. The findings in this report are based on data obtained from a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods. To date, the evaluation team has conducted interviews with seven clients of the Project, 10 women prisoners due to be released to the South Wales area, staff at six referral agencies, and four members of Project staff. The evaluation team has also conducted observations of the Project in its day-to-day operation and shadowed WTP staff in a range of contexts (e.g. on outreach, on legal visits in prison, and also at prison resettlement fayres). In addition to this qualitative data, the team has collected record-based data from electronic spreadsheets and files. The results of the evaluation indicate that the Women’s Turnaround Project has been designed appropriately and has been developed successfully. There is clear evidence of a high demand for the services and support offered among vulnerable women. Initial interviews with stakeholders in partner agencies indicate that the Women’s Turnaround Project is generally regarded as a welcome and valuable source of assistance for vulnerable women in Wales, as well as a useful focal point for the coordination of services. Details: Pontypridd, UK: Centre for Criminology, University of Glamorgan, 2008. 67p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 23, 2010 at: http://criminology.research.glam.ac.uk/media/files/documents/2009-01-29/WTP_Final_Version_Report_of_Phase_1_201008.pdf Year: 2008 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://criminology.research.glam.ac.uk/media/files/documents/2009-01-29/WTP_Final_Version_Report_of_Phase_1_201008.pdf Shelf Number: 119857 Keywords: Female Offenders, Services forReentry |
Author: Crayton, Anna Title: Partnering with Jails to Improve Reentry: A Guidebook for Community-Based Organizations Summary: A wide variety of community organizations have the skills, resources, and motivation needed to address the challenges of jail reentry, including substance abuse treatment providers, homeless shelters, workforce development centers, neighborhood clinics, community colleges, and many others. This guidebook provides community-based organizations with an overview of jail reentry and concrete steps to develop and sustain a reentry partnership with their local jail. It also addresses difficulties that might arise, and provides examples of strong partnerships between CBOs and jails that serve as models. Details: Washington, DC: Urban Institute, 2010. 59p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 9, 2010 at: http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/412211-partner-with-jails.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/412211-partner-with-jails.pdf Shelf Number: 119889 Keywords: Community ParticipationCommunity-Based OrganizationsJailsReentry |
Author: Diller, Rebekah Title: Maryland's Parole Supervision Fee: A Barrier to Reentry Summary: In this report, we conclude that billing individuals on parole $40 per month for their supervision is a penny-wise, pound-foolish policy that undercuts the State of Maryland’s commitment to promoting the reentry of people into society after prison. Implemented nearly two decades ago during a national wave of new supervision fees, the Maryland policy was intended to raise extra revenue for general state functions. However, our research shows that the fee is largely uncollectible due to the dire financial situation in which parolees find themselves and that the paper debt it creates does more harm than good. Moreover, the imposition of the fee is out of step with Maryland’s move toward supervision policies that protect the public by promoting the ability of parolees to reenter society successfully. Details: New York: Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law, 2009. 34p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 9, 2010 at: http://www.soros.org/initiatives/baltimore/articles_publications/publications/parole_20090320/parolereport_20090320.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: http://www.soros.org/initiatives/baltimore/articles_publications/publications/parole_20090320/parolereport_20090320.pdf Shelf Number: 114777 Keywords: Parole SupervisionParoleesReentry |
Author: Bannon, Alicia Title: Criminal Justice Debt: A Barrier to Reentry Summary: Many states are imposing new and often onerous “user fees” on individuals with criminal convictions. Yet far from being easy money, these fees impose severe – and often hidden – costs on communities, taxpayers, and indigent people convicted of crimes. They create new paths to prison for those unable to pay their debts and make it harder to find employment and housing as well to meet child support obligations. This report examines practices in the fifteen states with the highest prison populations, which together account for more than 60 percent of all state criminal filings. We focused primarily on the proliferation of “user fees,” financial obligations imposed not for any traditional criminal justice purpose such as punishment, deterrence, or rehabilitation but rather to fund tight state budgets. Across the board, we found that states are introducing new user fees, raising the dollar amounts of existing fees, and intensifying the collection of fees and other forms of criminal justice debt such as fines and restitution. But in the rush to collect, made all the more intense by the fiscal crises in many states, no one is considering the ways in which the resulting debt can undermine reentry prospects, pave the way back to prison or jail, and result in yet more costs to the public. Details: York: Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law, 2010. 63p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 11, 2010 at: http://brennan.3cdn.net/c610802495d901dac3_76m6vqhpy.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://brennan.3cdn.net/c610802495d901dac3_76m6vqhpy.pdf Shelf Number: 119916 Keywords: PrisonersReentrySupervision FeesUser Fees |
Author: Reynolds, Carl Title: A Framework to Improve How Fines, Fees, Restitution, and Child Support are Assessed and Collected from People Convicted of Crimes. Interim Report, March 2, 2009. Summary: This report describes how fines, fees, and restitution are assessed in criminal courts in Texas, how these court-ordered financial obligations are collected, and how these assessments and collections account for child support that defendants may already owe. The report reviews the challenges court officials encounter under the current system and recommends strategies to clarify and streamline existing policies. Using the findings and recommendations in this report, state and local government policymakers can launch an effort to increase financial accountability among people who commit crimes, improve rates of collection for child support and victim restitution, and ensure people’s transition from prisons and jails to the community is safe and successful. Details: New York: Council of State Governments Justice Center: Austin, TX: Texas Office of Court Administration, 2009. 90p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 14, 2010 at: http://www.courts.state.tx.us/oca/debts/pdf/TexasFinancialObligationsInterimReport.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: http://www.courts.state.tx.us/oca/debts/pdf/TexasFinancialObligationsInterimReport.pdf Shelf Number: 119962 Keywords: FinesReentryRestitution |
Author: Victoria. Parliament. Drugs and cRime Prevention Committee Title: Inquiry into the Impact of Drug-Related Offending On Female Prisoner Numbers - Interim Report Summary: The Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee and was given the mandate to examine the impact of drug-related offending on female prisoner numbers. Specifically, the committee was asked to (a) examine the impact of drug-related crime on the female prisoner population; (b) review the demographic profiles of women in custody for drug offences and the types of drug offences; (c) examine underlying causal factors which may influence drug-related offending and repeat offending that result in women entering custody; and (d) recommend strategies to reduce drug-related offending and repeat offending by women, including strategies to address underlying causal factors. Whilst the Committee was unable to complete the reference, particularly as further investigation into the recent increase in prison numbers is required, we were concerned about some of the information provided to us both in submissions and during public hearings. This evidence particularly related to the problems women face when in prison, when released from prison and their high rates of recidivism. The information provided to us was almost unanimous – the housing problem in particular being identified as a significant issue for many post-release women. Accordingly, we have made some recommendations for the post November 2010 government to consider and we hope the 57th Parliament of Victoria will make further recommendations on the other issues we have raised. Details: Melbourne: Government Printer for State of Victoria, 2010. 118p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 25, 2010 at: http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/images/stories/committees/dcpc/Women_prisoners/Female_prisoners_inquiry_-_interim_report.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Australia URL: http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/images/stories/committees/dcpc/Women_prisoners/Female_prisoners_inquiry_-_interim_report.pdf Shelf Number: 120086 Keywords: Drug Abuse and CrimeFemale InmatesFemale OffendersFemale PrisonersHousingRecidivismReentry |
Author: Markman, Joshua A. Title: Evaluation of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and Corporation for Supportive Housing's Pilot Program: Interim Re-Arrest Analysis Summary: In March 2007, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) and the Corporation for Supportive Housing Ohio Office (CSH) developed a permanent supportive housing pilot program. The pilot was designed to house approximately 100 individuals returning from select prisons throughout Ohio to the Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, and Toledo communities. The 13 institutions participating in the pilot included the Allen, Chillicothe, Grafton, Hocking, London, Lorain, Madison, Marion, Pickaway, and Trumbull Correctional Institutions; the Ohio Reformatory for Women; and the Franklin and Northeastern Prerelease Centers. The pilot, funded primarily by the ODRC, but also a part of CSH’s Returning Home Initiative, has three main goals: to reduce recidivism; to reduce homelessness; and to decrease the costs associated with multiple service use across the criminal justice, housing/homelessness, and mental health service systems. The Urban Institute (UI) is evaluating the pilot to assess the impact on recidivism and residential stability and to test whether the benefits associated with the pilot outweigh its costs. The final report will be complete in summer 2012. In this paper, we report the results of an interim analysis of re-arrest for both the treatment and comparison groups, including descriptive statistics on the study sample. Details: Washington DC: Urban Institute, 2010. 12p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 26, 2010 at: http://www.urban.org/uploadedpdf/412224-interim-recidivism-analysis.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.urban.org/uploadedpdf/412224-interim-recidivism-analysis.pdf Shelf Number: 120093 Keywords: HomelessnessHousingMental Health ServicesRecidivismReentry |
Author: Bath, Chris Title: Time Is Money: Financial Responsibility After Prison Summary: When someone is convicted of a crime, the impact on their finances can be extreme. The loss of liberty is the most severe form of punishment in the UK but with it come many unintended financial consequences. The criminal justice system can increase financial exclusion, and reduce personal responsibility, creating problems with housing, insurance, employment and family relations, and thus contributing to a greater risk of reoffending. This report explores the impact of the criminal justice system on banking, credit, debt, savings, financial capability, benefits, and insurance. The role of advice and the practical implications of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act are also considered. The key findings inform practical, cost effective recommendations to achieve financial inclusion for people in prison, former offenders and their families, improve resettlement and reduce reoffending. Details: London: Prison Reform Trust and Snodland, UK: UNLOCK: The National Association of Reformed Offenders, 2010. 94p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 28, 2010 at: http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/uploads/documents/timeismoney.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/uploads/documents/timeismoney.pdf Shelf Number: 120102 Keywords: Ex-Offenders, Financial NeedsFinancesReentryRehabilitation |
Author: Redcross, Cindy Title: Work After Prison: One-Year Findings From the Transitional Jobs Reentry Demonstration Summary: More than 2 million people are incarcerated in the United States, and around 700,000 are released from prison each year. Those who are released face daunting obstacles as they seek to reenter their communities, and rates of recidivism are high. Many experts believe that stable employment is critical to a successful transition from prison to the community. The Joyce Foundation’s Transitional Jobs Reentry Demonstration (TJRD), also funded by the JEHT Foundation and the U.S. Department of Labor, is testing employment programs for former prisoners in Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee, and St. Paul, using a rigorous random assignment design. MDRC is leading the evaluation, along with the Urban Institute and the University of Michigan. The project focuses on transitional jobs (TJ) programs that provide temporary subsidized jobs, support services, and job placement help. Transitional jobs are seen as a promising model for former prisoners and for other disadvantaged groups. In 2007-2008, more than 1,800 men who had recently been released from prison were assigned, at random, to a transitional jobs program or to a program providing basic job search (JS) assistance but no subsidized jobs. Both groups are being followed using state data on employment and recidivism. Random assignment ensures that if significant differences emerge between the two groups, those differences can be attributed with confidence to the different types of employment services each group received. This is the first major report in the TJRD project. It describes how the demonstration was implemented and assesses how the transitional jobs programs affected employment and recidivism during the first year after people entered the project, a period when the recession caused unemployment rates to rise substantially in all four cities. Key findings include: 1. The TJRD project generally operated as intended. The TJ programs developed work slots and placed a very high percentage of participants into transitional jobs. About 85 percent of the men who were assigned to the TJ programs worked in a transitional job, reflecting a strong motivation to work. On average, participants worked in the TJs for about four months. 2. The TJ group was much more likely to work than the JS group early on, but the difference between groups faded as men left the transitional jobs; overall, the TJ group was no more likely to work in an unsubsidized job than the JS group. The programs provided temporary jobs to many who would not otherwise have worked, but at the end of the first year, only about one-third of the TJ group — about the same proportion as in the JS group — was employed in the formal labor market. 3. Overall, the TJ programs had no consistent impacts on recidivism during the first year of follow-up. About one-third of each group was arrested and a similar number returned to prison. Most of the prison admissions were for violations of parole rules, not new crimes. In one site, the transitional jobs group was less likely to be reincarcerated for a parole violation. These results point to the need to develop and test enhancements to the transitional jobs model and other strategies to improve outcomes for former prisoners who reenter society. They also raise questions about the assumed connection between employment and recidivism, since there were no decreases in arrests even during the period when the TJ group was much more likely to be employed. This is not the final word on the TJRD project; both groups will be followed up for another year, with two-year results available in 2011. Details: New York: MDRC, 2009. 245p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 9, 2010 at: http://www.mdrc.org/publications/570/full.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: http://www.mdrc.org/publications/570/full.pdf Shelf Number: 120265 Keywords: EmploymentEx-OffendersReentry |
Author: Mulmat, Darlanne Hoctor Title: Improving Reentry for Ex-Offenders in San Diego County: SB 618 Third Annual Evaluation Report Summary: In October 2005, California Senate Bill (SB) 618 was signed into law. This law is based on the concept that providing tangible reentry support services will increase parolees’ successful reintegration into the community. As the first county authorized to create a multiagency plan, and with the leadership from the District Attorney’s Office, San Diego County brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to develop policies and programs to educate and rehabilitate non-violent felony offenders. Key program components are based on best practices and include conducting screenings and assessments and providing case management and services to meet identified needs. The process begins before sentencing and continues through imprisonment, as well as up to 18 months post release. As part of this effort, process and impact evaluations are being conducted by SANDAG. This second annual evaluation report describes project implementation to date, outlines the research methodology, and presents preliminary research findings from the process and impact evaluation. Details: San Diego, CA: San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), 2010. 238p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 10, 2010 at: http://sandiegohealth.org/sandag/sandag_pubs_2009-7-25/publicationid_1412_9234.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://sandiegohealth.org/sandag/sandag_pubs_2009-7-25/publicationid_1412_9234.pdf Shelf Number: 120277 Keywords: Ex-OffendersParoleesReentryRehabilitation |
Author: Redcross, Cindy Title: Transitional Jobs for Ex-Prisoners: Implementation, Two-Year Impacts, and Costs of the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) Prisoner Reentry Program Summary: Almost 700,000 people are released from state prisons each year. Ex-prisoners face daunting obstacles to successful reentry into society, and rates of recidivism are high. Most experts believe that stable employment is critical to a successful transition, but ex-prisoners have great difficulty finding steady work. This report presents interim results from a rigorous evaluation of the New York City-based Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), a highly regarded employment program for ex-prisoners. CEO participants are placed in paid transitional jobs shortly after enrollment; they are supervised by CEO staff and receive a range of supports. Once they show good performance in the transitional job, participants get help finding a permanent job and additional support after placement. CEO is one of four sites in the Enhanced Services for the Hard-to-Employ Demonstration and Evaluation Project, which is sponsored by the Administration for Children and Families and the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), with additional funding from the U.S. Department of Labor. The project is being conducted under contract to HHS by MDRC, a nonprofit research organization, along with the Urban Institute and other partners. The impacts of CEO's program are being assessed using a rigorous research design. In 2004-2005, a total of 977 ex-prisoners who reported to CEO were assigned, at random, to a program group that was eligible for all of CEO's services or to a control group that received basic job search assistance. So far, the two groups have been followed for two years after study entry. Almost 700,000 people are released from state prisons each year. Ex-prisoners face daunting obstacles to successful reentry into society, and rates of recidivism are high. Most experts believe that stable employment is critical to a successful transition, but ex-prisoners have great difficulty finding steady work. This report presents interim results from a rigorous evaluation of the New York City-based Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), a highly regarded employment program for ex-prisoners. CEO participants are placed in paid transitional jobs shortly after enrollment; they are supervised by CEO staff and receive a range of supports. Once they show good performance in the transitional job, participants get help finding a permanent job and additional support after placement. CEO is one of four sites in the Enhanced Services for the Hard-to-Employ Demonstration and Evaluation Project, which is sponsored by the Administration for Children and Families and the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), with additional funding from the U.S. Department of Labor. The project is being conducted under contract to HHS by MDRC, a nonprofit research organization, along with the Urban Institute and other partners. The impacts of CEO's program are being assessed using a rigorous research design. In 2004-2005, a total of 977 ex-prisoners who reported to CEO were assigned, at random, to a program group that was eligible for all of CEO's services or to a control group that received basic job search assistance. So far, the two groups have been followed for two years after study entry. Key Findings Include the following: CEO's program operated smoothly during the study period, and most program group members received the core services. More than 70 percent of the program group worked in a transitional job; the average length of that employment was about eight weeks; CEO generated a large but short-lived increase in employment; the increase was driven by CEO's transitional jobs. By the end of the first year of the study period, the program and control groups were equally likely to be employed, and their earnings were similar; CEO reduced recidivism during both the first and the second year of the study period. The program group was significantly less likely than the control group to be convicted of a crime, to be admitted to prison for a new conviction, or to be incarcerated for any reason in prison or jail during the first two years of the study period. In Year 1, CEO reduced recidivism only for those who came to the program within three months after their release from prison; in Year 2, however, the program reduced recidivism both for recently released study participants and for those who were not recently released at study entry. The study will follow the two groups for a third year, but the results so far show that CEO's program reduced recidivism, even after the employment gains faded. Decreases in recidivism have rarely been found in rigorous evaluations. Further research is needed to identify approaches that can produce more sustained increases in employment and earnings for ex-prisoners. Details: New York: MDRC, 2009. 159p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 6, 2010 at: http://www.urban.org/uploadedpdf/1001362_transitional_jobs.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: http://www.urban.org/uploadedpdf/1001362_transitional_jobs.pdf Shelf Number: 120375 Keywords: EmploymentEx-OffendersRecidivismReentryRehabilitation |
Author: Kaplan, Claire Title: CORI: Opening Doors of Opportunity: A Workforce and Public Safety Imperative. Report of the Task Force on CORI Employer Guidelines Summary: This report documents the findings and recommendations of the task force, which met over a 8-month period to identify opportunities to improve access to employment for low-risk, qualified applicants with CORI, while continuing to protect vulnerable populations. Details: Boston: The Boston Foundation, Crime & Justice Institute, 2007. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 6, 2010 at: http://www.tbf.org/uploadedFiles/CORI_2007.pdf Year: 2007 Country: United States URL: http://www.tbf.org/uploadedFiles/CORI_2007.pdf Shelf Number: 120389 Keywords: Employment (Boston)ExoffendersReentry |
Author: Johnson, Laura E. Title: From Options to Action: A Roadmap for City Leaders to Connect Formerly Incarcerated Individuals to Work Summary: On February 28, 2008, P/PV, along with The United States Conference of Mayors, the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at NYU and the City of New York, convened the Mayors Summit on Reentry and Employment, where 150 city leaders, policymakers, practitioners and academics came together from more than 20 cities to share strategies for connecting formerly incarcerated people to the labor market. From Options to Action was inspired and informed by discussions that took place at the Summit, as well as P/PV's experience in the field and a review of pertinent literature. It is meant to provide a framework for reentry efforts, with guidance for cities in early planning phases as well as those implementing more advanced strategies. The report presents practical steps for achieving a more coordinated, comprehensive approach to reentry at the city level, including identifying and convening relevant stakeholders, addressing city-level barriers to employment, engaging the business community and working with county, state and federal leaders to implement collaborative approaches and produce needed policy change. Because mayors and other municipal leaders are confronted with the day-to-day reality of prison and jail reentry and see its detrimental effects in their cities, many have already begun to seek out, test and refine lasting solutions. We hope this publication will support their efforts, as they work to interrupt the revolving door of recidivism—and offer hope to returning prisoners, their families and communities. Details: Philadelphia: Public/Private Ventures, 2008. 52p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 9, 2010 at: http://www.ppv.org/ppv/publications/assets/235_publication.pdf Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: http://www.ppv.org/ppv/publications/assets/235_publication.pdf Shelf Number: 117634 Keywords: EmploymentEx-OffendersRecidivismReentry |
Author: Burke, Peggy Title: TPC Case Management Handbook: An Integration Case Management Approach Summary: A number of recent publications offer resources to guide the work of redirecting corrections agencies and their noncorrectional partners in supporting successful reentry, building collaborative partnerships, and developing new outcome measures. Two important resources are: TPC Reentry Handbook: Implementing the NIC Transition from Prison to the Community Model; and Increasing Public Safety through Successful Offender Reentry: Evidence-Based and Emerging Practices in Corrections. This TPC Case Management Handbook is a companion to complement both of these resources, focusing more specifically on case management for successful reentry. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Corrections, 2010. 143p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 10, 2010 at: http://nicic.gov/Downloads/PDF/Library/024393.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://nicic.gov/Downloads/PDF/Library/024393.pdf Shelf Number: 120439 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsPartnershipsReentry |
Author: Brews, Albert Title: Evaluation Report: Community Employment Centres Initiative Summary: Effective Corrections Enhancing Community Corrections Infrastructure funding was used to introduce and enhance services and programs targeted at increasing offender employment in the community, as CSC research indicates that about sixty percent of offenders have employment-related needs (identified during the Offender Intake Assessment process). When offenders are conditionally released, they should have access to meaningful employment interventions to build on what they have learned in the institution. Per the Treasury Board Decision letter, the centres were implemented to offer a spectrum of employment services, including individual assessment, counselling, job-search techniques and on-the-job placement. The purpose of this evaluation was to explore the functioning of the centres as it relates to offender referral, assessment, services and community supports. Another intention was to compare community-based results (e.g., length of time in the community) for offenders who used the centres, to other offenders with similar employment needs. Within CSC, the results have potential implications for offenders, management, staff (and parole officers, in particular), both in institutions and in the community. Other potential stakeholders include parties involved with, or impacted by, community employment centres, including: Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (formerly HRDC), Elizabeth Fry Society, John Howard Society, St. Leonard’s Society, and other local community-based service delivery agencies of the private sector as well as the general public. Details: Ottawa: Correctional Service Canada, Evaluation Branch, Policy Sector, 2010. 131p. Source: Internet Resource: File #394-2-82: Accessed December 10, 2010 at: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/pa/ev-ecci-ceci-394-2-37/FinalReportCEC_e.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Canada URL: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/pa/ev-ecci-ceci-394-2-37/FinalReportCEC_e.pdf Shelf Number: 120085 Keywords: Employment (Canada)Ex-OffendersReentry |
Author: Meadows, Linda Title: Investigating the Prisoner Finance Gap Across Four Prisons in the North East Summary: This research investigates the Prisoner Finance Gap (PFG) – the gap between leaving prison and gaining sustainable income (usually benefits) – in four prisons in the North East of England. The report presents the findings of a literature review and semi-structured qualitative interviews with nine strategic and policy stakeholders, 34 staff from prison, probation, voluntary sector agencies and Jobcentre Plus, 51 prisoners (21 of whom had follow up interviews post release), and an online survey. The research was carried out between April 2009 and May 2010. The research aims were to investigate the systems and processes in place to address the financial exclusion of prisoners across four different prison types in the North East, to look at the extent to which pre-release inputs impact on financial inclusion following release, to evaluate the relationship between the prison and Jobcentre based elements within the prisons, and to identify obstacles and barriers to the take up of inputs. The main findings are: Financial issues, compounded by low levels of awareness and a reluctance to seek advice, constituted a significant problem for the vast majority of prisoners and ex-prisoners. There are a number of initiatives in place to address some of the financial issues identified. Prisoners and ex-prisoners were positive about much of the contact they received in these prisons. They indicated that Freshstart had facilitated early contact with Jobcentre Plus but had not closed the PFG and there were still issues around timing. There was no impact reported by ex-prisoners from financial capability training or signposting to other services. The Finance, Benefit and Debt pathway was seen to have a lower priority and fewer resources than some of the other resettlement pathways. Good relationships between all agencies involved in prisoners’ resettlement on release are key. Joint activities between DWP and MoJ are facilitating cross-departmental working. Some Voluntary and Community Sector organisations reported that the overlap in remit between DWP and MoJ could impede joined up working. Strategic initiatives such as Integrated Offender Management have potential to create stronger linkages between pathways and organisations. At operational level staff relationships and communication were effective. Details: London: Department for Work and Pensions, 2010. 83p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 16, 2010 at: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/rports2009-2010/rrep715.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/rports2009-2010/rrep715.pdf Shelf Number: 120523 Keywords: Employment (U.K.)Ex-Offenders, FinancesReentry |
Author: Pleace, Nicholas Title: Delivering Better Housing and Employment Outcomes for Offenders on Probation Summary: This research examined the delivery of suitable settled accommodation and paid employment for offenders on probation. The study explored good practice in counteracting homelessness and in helping offenders on probation into paid work, including the roles of education and training services and Jobcentre Plus. The research had a particular concern with the sharing of personal and sensitive information about offenders between organisations. Those practices and processes that facilitated and inhibited the proper sharing of information were a key focus of the research. The study involved fieldwork in six probation areas, a national level conference and consultation event and a small number of interviews with strategic level staff in central government. Details: London: Department for Work and Pensions, 2009. 86p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Report No. 610: Accessed December 16, 2010 at: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/rports2009-2010/rrep610.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/rports2009-2010/rrep610.pdf Shelf Number: 120524 Keywords: EmploymentHousingProbationers (U.K.)Reentry |
Author: Schmitt, John Title: Ex-offenders and the Labor Market Summary: We use Bureau of Justice Statistics data to estimate that, in 2008, the United States had between 12 and 14 million ex-offenders of working age. Because a prison record or felony conviction greatly lowers ex-offenders' prospects in the labor market, we estimate that this large population lowered the total male employment rate that year by 1.5 to 1.7 percentage points. In GDP terms, these reductions in employment cost the U.S. economy between $57 and $65 billion in lost output. Our estimates suggest that in 2008 there were between 5.4 and 6.1 million ex-prisoners (compared to a prison population of about 1.5 million and a jail population of about 0.8 million in that same year). Our calculations also suggest that in 2008 there were between 12.3 and 13.9 million ex-felons. In 2008, about one in 33 working-age adults was an ex-prisoner and about one in 15 working-age adults was an ex-felon. About one in 17 adult men of working-age was an ex-prisoner and about one in 8 was an ex-felon. An extensive body of research has established that a felony conviction or time in prison makes individuals significantly less employable. It is not simply that individuals who commit crimes are less likely to work in the first place, but rather, that felony convictions or time in prison act independently to lower the employment prospects of ex-offenders. Given our estimates of the number of ex-offenders and the best outside estimates of the associated reduction in employment suffered by ex-offenders, our calculations suggest that in 2008 the U.S. economy lost the equivalent of 1.5 to 1.7 million workers, or roughly a 0.8 to 0.9 percentage-point reduction in the overall employment rate. Since over 90 percent of ex-offenders are men, the effect on male employment rates was much higher, with ex-offenders lowering employment rates for men by 1.5 to 1.7 percentage points. Even at the relatively low productivity rates of ex-offenders (they typically have less education than the average worker), the resulting loss of output that year was likely somewhere between $57 and $65 billion. The rise in the ex-offender population -- and the resulting employment and output losses -- overwhelmingly reflects changes in the U.S. criminal justice system, not changes in underlying criminal activity. Instead, dramatic increases in sentencing, especially for drug-related offenses, account for the mushrooming of the ex-offender population that we document here. Substantial scope exists for improvement. Since high levels of incarceration are not the result of high levels of crime, changes in sentencing today can greatly reduce the size of the ex-offender population in the future. Moreover, the high cost in terms of lost output to the overall economy also suggests the benefits of taking action to reduce the substantial employment barriers facing ex-offenders. In the absence of some reform of the criminal justice system, the share of ex-offenders in the working-age population will rise substantially in coming decades, increasing the employment and output losses we estimate here. Details: Washington, DC: Center for Economic and Policy Research, 2010. 22p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 20, 2010 at: http://www.cepr.net/documents/publications/ex-offenders-2010-11.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.cepr.net/documents/publications/ex-offenders-2010-11.pdf Shelf Number: 120553 Keywords: EmploymentEx-OffendersReentry |
Author: Southern, Rebekah Title: Evaluation of the Prolific Offenders Resettlement through Co-ordinated Housing (PORCH) Project Summary: The Prolific Offenders Resettlement through Co-ordinated Housing (PORCH) Project was launched, following a six month developmental phase, as a pilot project in the Summer of 2006. The premise of the pilot was that the provision of appropriate accommodation and support for prolific offenders would have a positive effect on reducing their offending behaviour. Its primary aim was to reduce the number and seriousness of crimes committed by prolific offenders. Secondary and tertiary aims were to maximise the effectiveness of existing housing services and to intervene more proactively at key points including arrest, remand, sentencing and release from prison to ensure that housing needs are addressed. Since coming to power in 1997, the Labour Government has focused on crime reduction and an important element of this has been the development of the Prolific and other Priority Offender (PPO) strategy. Within the overall approach there are three complementary strands namely, ‘prevent and deter’, ‘catch and convict’ and ‘rehabilitate and resettle.’ The PORCH Project is situated within the ‘rehabilitate and resettle’ strand in relation to PPOs. Many studies have illustrated the importance of accommodation in reducing re-offending. Within the Region, the South West Reducing Reoffending Delivery Plan 2006-08 sees improving the housing outcomes of PPOs as a key priority. Thus the Project also fits within the regional agenda. This evaluation has followed the lifetime of the Project, encompassing a baseline setting, interim evaluation and final evaluation stage. This report presents the key evaluation findings from the final stage of the evaluation. Details: Plymouth, UK: SERIO, Research and Innovation, University of Plymouth, 2008. 86p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 11, 2011 at: http://www.serio.ac.uk/resources/files/Evaluation%20of%20the%20Prolific%20Offenders%20Resettlement%20through%20Coordinated%20Housing%20PORCH%20Project.pdf Year: 2008 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.serio.ac.uk/resources/files/Evaluation%20of%20the%20Prolific%20Offenders%20Resettlement%20through%20Coordinated%20Housing%20PORCH%20Project.pdf Shelf Number: 120751 Keywords: Habitual Offenders (U.K.)HousingProlific OffendersReentry |
Author: Peeples, Carol Title: Homelessness and Parole: A Survey of Denver's Shelters Summary: The interviews conducted for this survey offer insight into 48 individuals who were homeless and on parole in Denver, Colorado, during the winter of 2008-2009. Their stories and situations exemplify the complexity of the issue, but this is not to say that common threads did not surface. Indeed, it is these commonalities that form the basis for each of the eleven recommendations presented in this report. The average annual cost of incarcerating an inmate is over $30,000 per inmate,6 so changes in policies and practices that reduce recidivism can provide the state with an immediate opportunity for significant cost savings. In fiscal year 2008, 41% of the total admissions to Colorado’s prisons were people who had been revoked from parole and returned to prison. Of this group, 27% returned to prison for committing a new crime while on parole, but 73% (3,353 people) were returned to prison for a technical violation of their parole. It is not known whether people who leave prison homeless have a higher failure rate on parole, but it is known that people face enormous challenges, including finding housing, when they are released. Based on our own research and interviews with parolees, CCJRC believes that paroling or discharging from prison homeless is a barrier to successful re-entry and should be avoided to the greatest extent possible. Details: Denver, CO: Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, 2009. 25p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 22, 2011 at: http://www.ccjrc.org/pdf/CCJRC_Homeless_Report.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: http://www.ccjrc.org/pdf/CCJRC_Homeless_Report.pdf Shelf Number: 120861 Keywords: HomelessnessParolees (Colorado)Reentry |
Author: West, John Marcus Title: Training Offenders for Life and Work: An Assessment of Texas' Project RIO (Reintegration of Offenders) Summary: The first purpose of this study is to describe the ideal characteristics of a model offender reintegration program based on a review of the literature. The second purpose is to conduct a limited case study and assess Texas’ Project RIO (Reintegration of Offenders) using the ideal characteristics. The third purpose is to make recommendations that should assist all offender reintegration programs to assist offenders more effectively in the reintegration process. The methodologies used in this limited case study of Project RIO include document and archival analysis. The document and archival analysis include a collection of reports published by Project RIO’s operating agencies and several independent reports. Overall, Project RIO does not adhere to the practical ideal type model developed through the literature. Project RIO could improve services by: increasing requirements regarding participation in life skills and educational programming; adding a reintegrative focus to the intake assessment of the offender; creating a method for diverting offenders from a return to prison for technical violations; and developing a method for offenders to earn the reintegration of their rights. Details: San Marcos, TX: Applied Research Projects, Texas State University - San Marcos, 2007. 91p. Source: Internet Resource: Paper 257: Accessed March 11, 2011 at: http://ecommons.txstate.edu/arp/257 Year: 2007 Country: United States URL: http://ecommons.txstate.edu/arp/257 Shelf Number: 120975 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsOffenders (Texas)ReentryRehabilitationReintegration |
Author: Martynowicz, Agnieszka Title: It's like stepping on a landmine…” – Reintegration of Prisoners in Ireland Summary: This report from IPRT assesses the current provision of reintegration services and support for prisoners before and after their release from prison, identifies key systemic failures, and makes 14 clear recommendations for necessary improvements. Statistical analysis indicates that, at present, 60% of those with prison experience will return to prison at some point. With a prison population that has risen by 65% in the last 12 years - and is set to reach 5,000 by the end of 2010 - the successful reintegration of prisoners is even more crucial than ever. Details: Dublin: Irish Penal Reform Trust, 2010. 71p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 15, 2011 at: http://www.iprt.ie/files/%E2%80%9CIts_like_stepping_on_a_landmine%E2%80%A6%E2%80%9D%E2%80%93_Reintegration_of_Prisoners_in_Ireland.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Ireland URL: http://www.iprt.ie/files/%E2%80%9CIts_like_stepping_on_a_landmine%E2%80%A6%E2%80%9D%E2%80%93_Reintegration_of_Prisoners_in_Ireland.pdf Shelf Number: 121016 Keywords: Prisoner Reintegration (Ireland)RecidivismReentry |
Author: Albertus, Chesne Title: Offender Reintegration in South Africa: A Complementary Crime Prevention Measure Summary: In 1995, the Constitutional Court of South Africa declared the death penalty unconstitutional, because the death penalty inter alia, rejected the possibility that those convicted could be rehabilitated. The Court held that such a rejection is inconsistent with ubuntu, a well-known South African concept characterised by respect for human dignity and the dominant theme that the life of another human being is as important as one’s own. From this it may be inferred that one of South Africa’s founding values requires respect for the life and dignity of everyone including those who have committed crime. This paper contends that although the Constitution does not expressly require the state to assist prisoners to reintegrate into society, its language and overall framework supports the notion of a constitutional obligation to support their rehabilitation. It is also argued that by not fulfilling this duty adequately, the state is contributing to repeat offending. It is proposed that if the duty to assist prisoners in reintegrating into mainstream society is accepted and complied with, a significant reduction in levels of crime could be achieved. Details: Pinelands, South Africa: Criminal Justice Initiative of Open Society Foundation for South Africa, 2010. 30p. Source: Internet Resource: CJI Occasional Paper No. 7: Accessed March 18, 2011 at: http://www.osf.org.za/File_Uploads/docs/CJI_Occasional_Paper_7.pdf Year: 2010 Country: South Africa URL: http://www.osf.org.za/File_Uploads/docs/CJI_Occasional_Paper_7.pdf Shelf Number: 121074 Keywords: Offender Rehabilitation (South Africa)RecidivismReentry |
Author: Glover, Jane Title: No Fixed Abode: The Housing Struggle for Young People Leaving Custody in England Summary: The last 10 years have seen a welcome decrease in the numbers of young people entering the youth justice system and those being held in youth custody in England. However, despite significant investment, resettlement remains an intractable problem and reoffending rates are shockingly high, at 74 per cent. Research shows that having suitable accommodation arrangements in place significantly reduces the risk of reoffending. The previous Government’s Social Exclusion Unit (SEU) reported that stable accommodation can reduce offending by as much as 20 percent. Barnardo’s experience of providing floating support and supported accommodation for homeless young people, including those leaving custody, has convinced us that having the right level of support at the right time is crucial to ensuring adherence to the terms of a community licence, engaging with education and training, and accessing vital support services. Accommodation was one of the top five issues of concern for young people using Barnardo’s advocacy service inside the secure estate in 2009-10, so this research set out to examine the realities of accommodation and support for young people leaving custody and whether adaptations to statutory guidance in recent years have had any impact. We also calculated the savings that can be made if a young person is well supported on their release from custody. The report documents the journeys of five young people – Liam, Daniel, Amy, Chris and Robbie as they prepare for release and move into the community. Their stories, backed up by research interviews with professionals from the community and the secure estate, demonstrate how gaps in provision during the crucial transition from custody to the community can significantly hamper a young person’s ability to get their life back on track. This results in a costly cycle of unsuitable accommodation and offending that could have been averted. Details: Ilford, UK: Barnardo's, 2011. 58p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 28, 2011 at: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/no_fixed_abode_february_2011.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/no_fixed_abode_february_2011.pdf Shelf Number: 121142 Keywords: HousingJuvenile Offenders (U.K.)Reentry |
Author: Zweig, Janine Title: Recidivism Effects of the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) Program Vary by Former Prisoners’ Risk of Reoffending Summary: The New York City-based Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) is a transitional jobs program designed to help former prisoners increase longer-term employment and, consequently, reduce recidivism. Interim results from MDRC’s rigorous impact evaluation of CEO show reduced recidivism in both the first and the second year of follow-up. This research brief expands on those results by using regression-based analysis to identify whether CEO had its greatest impact among low-, medium-, or high-risk offenders — with risk levels being defined by participants’ characteristics before random assignment that are associated with recidivism after random assignment. CEO had its strongest reductions in recidivism for former prisoners who were at highest risk of recidivism, for whom CEO reduced the probability of rearrest, the number of rearrests, and the probability of reconviction two years after random assignment. If confirmed by other studies, these findings suggest that the limited resources available to transitional jobs programs for former prisoners should be targeted toward the people at highest risk of recidivating, because they are helped most by this intervention. Details: New York: MDRC, 2010. 16p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 21, 2011 at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/welfare_employ/enhanced_hardto/reports/ceo_program/ceo_program.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/welfare_employ/enhanced_hardto/reports/ceo_program/ceo_program.pdf Shelf Number: 121460 Keywords: EmploymentEx-OffendersRecidivismReentryReoffending |
Author: Willison, Janeen Buck Title: Faith-Based Corrections and Reentry Programs: Advancing a Conceptual Framework for Research and Evaluation Summary: Resource strapped policymakers and criminal justice practitioners are increasingly turning to the faith community to help meet the multiple needs of returning prisoners. Although faith-based organizations have long served disadvantaged individuals, including prisoners, few studies have examined the effectiveness of faith-based efforts to improve prisoner reentry and reduce recidivism or identified the distinguishing characteristics of “faith-related” programming. None has focused on faith-based programs in corrections. As a result, basic questions about the nature of faith-based programs and how they may improve offender outcomes, including recidivism and other reentry outcomes, remain largely unanswered. This gap makes evaluation haphazard and inhibits meaningful policy debate. Researchers at the Urban Institute (UI) worked to address these critical gaps in knowledge with funding from the National Institute of Justice. Under the Faith-Based Corrections and Reentry Programs: Advancing a Conceptual Framework for Research and Evaluation (FBCRP) study, UI researchers surveyed faith-based in-prison and reentry programs across the country to identify key program characteristics and explore the extent and manner in which faith or spirituality infuses program content and activities. The primary objective of the survey was to formulate answers to two critical questions: (1) What is a faith-based program, and (2) How does faith “work” in faith-based programs. Concerted effort was made to identify and include programs operating from a mix of faith traditions. The overarching objective of the research was to provide policymakers, program developers, practitioners and evaluators with a practical tool for classifying faith-based corrections programs and advance a platform for future research on the effectiveness of faith-based reentry and corrections programs. The study, like the survey, was entirely exploratory in nature. Findings from the survey indicate meaningful variation in the characteristics of faith-based programs, even among programs identifying with the same faith tradition (Christian). Among the 48 programs represented in the survey, 85 percent identified as “faith-based.” Those operating outside the three Abrahamic faith-traditions (Christian, Jewish, and Islamic religions) were less inclined to do so, preferring the mantle “spiritually-based.” Analysis, though limited, confirms that faith-based programs are differentiated by the manner and degree to which faith and spirituality intersects around four dimensions: program identity; religious activities; staff and volunteers; and key outcomes. These distinctions provide direction for future research by identifying constructs and measures for further investigation and exploration. Practitioners in the field, such as parole or probation officers, also stand to benefit from this analysis: these distinctions suggest not all faith-based programs are alike and that a range of faith-based options are available to corrections practitioners and their clients. The extent to which the current findings would differ for a more diverse sample is unknown and a noteworthy consideration for future research efforts. Details: Washington, DC: Urban Institute, 2010. 77p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 5, 2011 at: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/234058.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/234058.pdf Shelf Number: 121648 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsFaith-Based ProgramsReentryRehabilitationVolunteers in Corrections |
Author: Duggan, Erica Title: No Violence Alliance (NoVA) Project: San Francisco’s Model Adult Case Management Reentry Program Summary: This report explores the history of releasing individuals from incarceration and how model reentry programs can assist in the reentry process. The benefits to formerly incarcerated individuals and society are discussed. The report further describes similar qualities between model programs in the United States. Finally, it highlights a San Francisco model reentry project, the No Violence Alliance (NoVA) Project that was initiated by the San Francisco Sheriff’s Department in collaboration with the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice (CJCJ) and other community based organizations. Details: San Francisco: Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice, 2010. 15p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 5, 2011 at: http://www.cjcj.org/files/No_Violence_Alliance_Project.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.cjcj.org/files/No_Violence_Alliance_Project.pdf Shelf Number: 121651 Keywords: Community-based CorrectionsParoleesReentryRehabilitation |
Author: Jacobs, Erin Title: Report on the Evaluation of the ComALERT Prisoner Reentry Program Summary: This report evaluates the ComALERT (“Community and Law Enforcement Resources Together”) program, which provides substance abuse counseling and other treatment, employment and housing services to parolees in Kings County, New York. The evaluation consists of three main parts: (1) an analysis of recidivism among ComALERT clients, studying patterns of re-arrest, re-conviction, parole violation, and re-incarceration, (2) an analysis of a survey of employment, family life, and drug use among ComALERT clients and a comparison group of Brooklyn parolees, and (3) an analysis of unemployment insurance data, containing earnings and employment information on the respondents to the survey. Among a new generation of prisoner re-entry programs around the country, ComALERT is unusual in providing a comprehensive array of services to its clients shortly after release from prison. In addition to substance abuse counseling, ComALERT offers transitional housing and employment for up to a year as well as job referral services in an effort to integrate parolees into mainstream social roles. While evaluations of prisoner re-entry programs typically focus on recidivism, our research design also aims to shed light on the employment, sobriety, and family life of the ComALERT clients. We take this broader focus in part because ComALERT is motivated to reduce recidivism particularly through treatment and employment, and partly because criminological research shows the importance of employment, family life, and sobriety to criminal desistance. To preview the main results, we find that ComALERT clients are 15% less likely to be re-arrested after two years from release from prison than a comparison group with a similar criminal history. Clients that graduate from the program are more than 30% less likely to be arrested than the comparison group. The survey data show very high employment rates among ComALERT clients and graduates, more than twice as high as a comparison group matched on criminal history and demographic characteristics. Graduates of ComALERT’s Ready Willing and Able program have especially high rates of employment. ComALERT clients also report modestly lower rates of drug and alcohol use than the control group. While these results are extremely promising, a stronger evaluation is needed. Such an evalution would involve some kind of random assignment to the program, to eliminate systematic selection as a source of the difference between the program and comparison groups. Details: Cambridge, MA: Harvard University, 2007. 84p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 9, 2011 at: http://www.wjh.harvard.edu/soc/faculty/western/pdfs/report_1009071.pdf Year: 2007 Country: United States URL: http://www.wjh.harvard.edu/soc/faculty/western/pdfs/report_1009071.pdf Shelf Number: 121663 Keywords: Employment, Ex-OffendersHousingParoleesRecidivismReentryRehabilitationSubstance Abuse Treatment |
Author: Meade, Erica Title: Overview and Inventory of HHS Efforts to Assist Incarcerated and Reentering Individuals and their Families Summary: The purpose of this document is to help Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) agencies know the full range of programs and services in the Department that currently address the needs of incarcerated individuals and their families and to understand what research and evaluation efforts are underway to identify evidence-based practices. Although HHS programs are not specifically targeted to incarcerated and reentering individuals and their families, many HHS programs do serve these individuals and families as part of the broader population served. Additionally, there are HHS research, demonstration, and evaluation efforts focused on this population because incarceration is an important risk factor for adult and child well-being, as well as the well-being of families and communities. The inventory that follows will facilitate stronger intra-agency collaborations to address the many needs of these individuals and families and to improve their well being. It will also serve as an information source for other Departments and our public and private sector partners. Increasing the safety, security and well-being of individuals, families and communities requires the resources of many partners. These partnerships will be stronger when all the partners know what resources are available and what activities are already in place. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, 2011. 126p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 16, 2011 at: http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/11/Incarceration&Reentry/Inventory/index.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/11/Incarceration&Reentry/Inventory/index.pdf Shelf Number: 121729 Keywords: Ex-OffendersFamilies of Ex-OffendersHousingReentry |
Author: Great Britain. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons Title: Resettlement Provision for Children and Young People: Accommodation and Education, Training and Employment Summary: Resettlement is one of the main tests against which the Inspectorate judges the health of a prison. This thematic review, commissioned by the Youth Justice Board, examines accommodation and education, training and employment (ETE) resettlement provision for sentenced young men aged 15 to 18 in young offender institutions. It reports on the work carried out in custody to prepare young people for release, using survey data as well as indepth interviews with 61 sentenced young men, their case supervisors and follow-up information on what happened to them on release. The heads of resettlement and learning and skills in each institution provide an establishment perspective. Ensuring that young people have suitable and sustainable accommodation and ETE on release from custody is a vital first step to reduce reoffending and enable young people to successfully reintegrate into the community. This is no small task – in our sample of 61 young men more than eight out of 10 (84%) had an accommodation and/or ETE need identified. In our survey almost half of young men said they were under 14 when they were last at school and 86% said they had been excluded at some point. All establishments had a strategy to drive forward resettlement work but in most cases these did not involve external agencies and had not been informed by a recent needs analysis of the population. The training planning process should be central to coordinating work to address young people’s individual needs, with targets set for a young person’s time in custody and plans for their release. We found from our fieldwork that several establishment case supervisors, who oversaw the training plan, had a good knowledge of the young people in their caseload. Most young men reported that training plan targets had been discussed with them, although less than two-thirds in our case sample knew what their targets were and only half said they had had a say in the targets set for them – this then had a real impact on whether they tried to achieve them. In custody, the range and quality of education and training provision was generally satisfactory and it was clear that, where possible, a young person’s preferences had been taken into account when allocating them to ETE. Most, although not all, young men said they were involved in some form of ETE at the time of interview and three-quarters said they had received or were working towards a qualification – 62% thought that these would be useful on release. Although it could often have been better tied to resettlement planning, at several establishments the use of release on temporary licence (ROTL) was improving, with some good quality work placements on offer. Case supervisors realised the importance of accommodation and ETE in resettlement work and reported that these issues were considered from the point of a young person’s arrival in custody. However, training planning targets often placed the onus only on the young person and did not specify what resources would be put in place or how they would be helped to achieve them. The main focus was on how they spent their time in custody and there were few long-term targets aimed at those responsible for ensuring plans were in place for their release. Establishments reported that this was the responsibility of youth offending teams (or social workers for looked after children). At the Heron unit at Feltham young people also had a resettlement broker who was involved in resettlement planning while young people were in custody, but who also offered intensive support to them for at least six months following release. Despite their key role, the attendance of social workers at training planning meetings for looked after children was poor. In contrast, relationships with community-based youth offending teams (YOTs) were well developed and YOT case managers normally attended training planning meetings. However, plans were not always finalised in time for the pre-release meeting which, understandably, worried young people and frustrated case supervisors. Two of the 61 young men interviewed said that not having accommodation had prevented their early release, but no establishments monitored this. It was not evident that discussions were taking place about whether accommodation arrangements set up at the point of release were suitable and sustainable. In our case sample, 61% of young men said they would be living with family on release and the majority were optimistic about it as they felt their family’s support was the key to their successful resettlement. Although establishments realised the importance of young people maintaining contact with family where appropriate and encouraged it, more structured work needed to be done to rebuild or maintain relationships while young people were in custody. This left two-fifths of our sample who required accommodation to be arranged for their release, which was a vital step before other release plans could be put in place. Case supervisors reported a range of barriers to finding suitable accommodation, including a limited supply of local authority housing and issues around the young person’s behaviour or offence. They also reported a range of barriers to arranging ETE for release, including limited availability in the community. At the time of interview, only 14 of the 48 young men who said they wanted to continue education had a place arranged. Worryingly, of the 42 young men who said they wanted to work (either full-time or part-time alongside education), only nine reported that they had a job arranged on release – and for seven of these it had been arranged through family, without help from the establishment or the YOT. Follow-up information was requested from case supervisors on what happened to the young men in our case sample on release and a month later, with information received for 41 and 37 of the young men respectively. Only 13 young men (32%) had both suitable accommodation (as assessed by case supervisors) and ETE on release. Two, including a looked after child, were forced to report as homeless. One in five were placed in accommodation assessed as unsuitable by case supervisors; this included three young men who had had to go into bed and breakfast lodgings – one was still there a month later – and two who were living with family where this was a cause for concern. Only a third of young men had an ETE placement arranged on release, only half of these were still attending a month later and only a fifth of those who had not got a placement on release had one confirmed a month later. Where ETE placements had fallen through, case supervisors felt this was due to unstable accommodation, a lack of family support, the young person’s lack of motivation or problems due to the timing of course start dates. A month after release six of the young men were in custody and one was ‘on the run’ – three of the young people who had returned to custody were looked after children. This report raises a key question – how effective is the resettlement work conducted in custody in terms of the actual outcomes for young people? This was not monitored by establishments and our follow-up information highlights the need to look beyond the gate in order to evaluate the effectiveness of resettlement work. Overall the outcomes for our sample were very disappointing. The Heron unit, although we can make no conclusions based on our small sample, seemed a promising initiative, as did the resettlement consortia, although the young offender institutions involved were not visited for this report. These are being formally evaluated and we look forward to seeing the results. Although our recommendations are to the Ministry of Justice, Youth Justice Board and National Offender Management Service we recognise that, to ensure all young people have suitable accommodation and ETE on release from custody, a joint approach with other government departments and external agencies is required. The starting point should be an acceptance that vulnerable young people released from custody are children in need. This would go some way toward focusing the joint effort that is needed to prevent them from returning to custody and becoming entrenched at an early age in a life of crime. Details: London: HM Inspectorate of Prisons, 2011. 118p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 28, 2011 at: http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/publications/inspectorate-reports/hmipris/Resettlement-thematic-june2011.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/publications/inspectorate-reports/hmipris/Resettlement-thematic-june2011.pdf Shelf Number: 121879 Keywords: Correctional EducationCorrectional ProgramsHousing for Ex-OffendersJuvenile Offenders (U.K.)ReentryRehabilitationYoung Adult Offenders |
Author: Korber, Dorothy Title: ‘ A Courtroom Unlike Any Other’ Santa Clara County’s Parolee Reentry Court is a Case Study in Reducing Prison Recidivism Summary: The judge ran through his afternoon calendar at a sprinter’s pace. More than 50 cases cycled through the court in three hours – all of them parolees with a violation. Dirty drug tests. Missed appointments. New crimes. Such lapses normally would have sent them straight back to state prison. But today, instead of a prison cell, they are in Judge Stephen Manley’s crowded, bustling San Jose courtroom. This is Santa Clara County’s Parolee Reentry Court, where high-risk offenders get a second chance at redemption. If it works, everybody wins: the parolee rebuilds his life, his community is safer, and taxpayers save the thousands of dollars it would cost to return him to prison. If it fails, he is one more statistic in California’s dismal recidivism rate. California has the worst record in the nation for re-incarcerating parolees, with nearly 70 percent returning to prison within three years of release. To address this problem, in 2009 the Legislature passed Senate Bill x3 18, which created a pilot program testing whether a drug-court model can reduce recidivism. Santa Clara is one of six counties participating in the pilot. The aim of these Parolee Reentry Courts is to stop the swinging prison door. Details: Sacramento: California Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes, 2011. 22p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 14, 2011 at: http://www.momentumformentalhealth.org/document.doc?id=39 Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.momentumformentalhealth.org/document.doc?id=39 Shelf Number: 122054 Keywords: Alternatives to IncarcerationCourtsParoleParole SupervisionParolees (California)RecidivismReentry |
Author: Lowe, Nathan C. Title: Reentry of Methamphetamine-Using Offenders into the Community: Identifying Key Strategies and Best Practices for Community Corrections Summary: This report discusses issues related to reentry of methamphetamine (MA) users. From 1997 to 2004, MA use increased among both state and federal prison inmates in the month before the convicting offense was committed and at the time of the convicting offense. This increase in MA use among offenders has created significant challenges for the corrections field. Specifically, correctional and treatment professionals have worked together in efforts to implement the most effective strategies to treat MA use and abuse among offenders in the community. The purpose of this report is to highlight the need for a coherent strategy for community corrections professionals to use when supervising MA-using populations in the community. This report offers the community corrections field baseline data to understand some of the obstacles and lessons learned regarding supervision of MA-using offenders. The data were gathered from a focus group and three technical assistance site visits with the underlying intention of identifying key strategies in dealing with MA-using offenders in the community. Policy and practice recommendations are also offered. These recommendations rely on the focus group, site visits, and emerging body of research literature on effective community supervision and successful substance abuse strategies. Details: Alexandria, VA: American Probation and Parole Association, 2010. 31p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 28, 2011 at: http://www.appa-net.org/eweb/docs/appa/pubs/RMUOC.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.appa-net.org/eweb/docs/appa/pubs/RMUOC.pdf Shelf Number: 122114 Keywords: Community CorrectionsDrug Abuse and AddictionDrug OffendersMethamphetamineReentry |
Author: Onyewu, Chinonyerem (Nonye) Chidozie Title: The Relative Importance of Selected Variables on the Employment Consistency of Virginia Ex-Offenders Summary: To decrease the steady rise in the prison population, we must deter ex-offenders from re-offending and recidivating, once they have been released. For exoffenders, finding employment is critical to successful post-release re-integration which can help reduce the chances of them recidivating. Ex-offenders who are consistent in their employment patterns are less likely to return to a life of crime. This study investigated the relative importance and significance of 11 selected variables on four separate levels of employment consistency. The selected variables were chosen based on what has been identified in the literature as effecting employment patterns of ex-offenders and the general population, and what data was reliable and available. The study group consisted of 2,314 male Virginia ex-offenders released in fiscal year 2001. The results revealed that the variables of time served, career and technical education program completions, educational level, age at release, race, and being convicted of a violent offense were positive predictors of employment consistency. On the other hand, having a record of minor infractions and being a repeat offender were associated with decreasing employment consistency in the analysis. The findings of the study suggest that it is important for offenders to make changes in the ways they think and their attitudes. This can be accomplished by taking advantage of opportunities in prison to participate in rehabilitative services and educational programs. In addition, as offenders get older they tend to abandon criminal ways of thinking, and once released they are more apt to stay employed. Furthermore, the influence of the race variable did not affect the study group of ex-offenders as anticipated. Details: Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 2009. 148p. Source: Internet Resource: Doctoral Thesis: Accessed July 29, 2011 at: http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-02202009-131738/unrestricted/Nonye_Onyewu_Dissertation_Final_version.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-02202009-131738/unrestricted/Nonye_Onyewu_Dissertation_Final_version.pdf Shelf Number: 122232 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsEx-offenders (Employment) (Virgina)ReentryRehabilitation |
Author: McCurley, Carl Title: Process Evaluation of the Pennsylvania Bureau of Juvenile Justice Services’ Aftercare Program Summary: The purpose of this report is to provide an evaluation of the design and implementation of the Pennsylvania Bureau of Juvenile Justice Services’ (BJJS) new model of aftercare. Understanding how aftercare services are delivered and how the program actually operates is essential for decisionmaking about program planning and for improvement. In January 2005, BJJS decided to shift from a treatment model of aftercare service delivery to a case management model of service delivery. BJJS provides aftercare services to about 2 out of every 3 youth released from placements with the State’s Youth Development Center/Youth Forestry Center (YDC/YFC) system. At current levels of use, the aftercare program enrolls over 500 youth per year. Based on screener results, the great majority of youth enrolled in the program are classified as high risk—they are also older, with greater needs, and more serious offending histories than the average adjudicated youth in Pennsylvania. The BJJS program is one of six major aftercare initiatives active in Pennsylvania, all of which are funded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. The other five programs, all associated with the MacArthur Foundation’s Models for Change initiative, are specific to the single county where they operate: Allegheny, Cambria, Lycoming, Philadelphia, and York counties. In contrast, the BJJS program operates in a group of counties that contain more than 70% of Pennsylvania’s population. Like the Philadelphia program, and like many other serious and violent offender re-entry programs in operation across the nation, the BJJS aftercare program employs a case management model that features extensive assessment, individualized planning, a focus on the transition from life in the placement facility to life in the community, and efforts to assist the youth in building durable, supportive relationships in the community (reintegration). The goals of the BJJS Aftercare Services Project are based on the Intensive Aftercare Program (IAP) model developed by David Altschuler and Troy Armstrong (1994). Instead of starting aftercare services after the youth is released, the planning, assessments, and client contact begins when the youth is placed in the facility. The new BJJS approach begins at disposition, continues while the youth is in placement and on probation in the community, and endures afterwards through connections with services in the community. BJJS contracted with a private provider, Cornell, to implement the community component of the aftercare services model. In the old model, the youth went through the program in phases (could not move to Phase 2 until successfully completing Phase 1). In the new model, the youth completes steps in their own individualized service plan rather than completing a “one size fits all” program. Each youth’s plan is developed based on his/her strengths and needs, family assessments, and resources that will be available in their home community when they are released.Changes in the program model required new resources be put into place both in the facilities and the communities. BJJS made many changes in the program infrastructure, including adding new staff, training staff on the new way of doing business, and using new assessment instruments. The goals of the BJJS aftercare program are to reduce delinquency and improve the life chances for high-risk youth released from state placements. To reach its goals, the program relies on effective collaboration across agencies that traditionally have been independent. The BJJS program requires collaboration among BJJS staff within the YDC/YFC system, contracted case managers active at the facility and in the communities, juvenile court and juvenile probation, families, and community-based service providers. In large measure, success of the aftercare program depends on BJJS success at achieving and sustaining collaboration in a set of state, local, public, private, and non-profit agencies and organizations. Details: Pittsburgh, PA: National Center for Juvenile Justice, 2006. 137p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 2, 2011 at: www.portal.state.pa.us Year: 2006 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 122258 Keywords: Juvenile Aftercare (Pennsylvania)Juvenile OffendersJuvenile ProbationRecidivismReentryRehabilitation |
Author: La Vigne, Nancy Title: Release Planning for Successful Reentry: A Guide for Corrections, Service Providers, and Community Groups Summary: This report is designed to help the corrections community, service providers and community groups prepare prisoners for the moment of release from prison and the time immediately following release. It describes the eight most basic and immediate needs returning prisoners have when they exit prison, recommends minimum policies practitioners can institute to meet these needs, and highlights the opportunities and challenges practitioners face when trying to improve their release planning policies. The report also uses the results of a UI survey of 43 departments of corrections to illustrate what release planning procedures are currently being implemented across the country. Details: Washington, DC: Justice Policy Center, Urban Institute, 2008. 104p. Source: Research Report: Internet Resource: Accessed on January 27, 2012 at http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/411767_successful_reentry.pdf Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/411767_successful_reentry.pdf Shelf Number: 123797 Keywords: Community ParticipationCorrectionsPrisoner ReintegrationReentry |
Author: Bauldry, Shawn Title: Positive Support: Mentoring and Depression Among High-Risk Youth Summary: Positive Support examines the potential benefits of matching high-risk youth with faith-based mentors. Drawing on surveys and interviews with young people who participated in the National Faith-Based Initiative, we found that mentored youth were less likely to show signs of depression than the youth who were not matched with a mentor. This in turn was related to a variety of other beneficial outcomes, including handling conflict better and fewer self-reported instances of arrests. The report concludes with a consideration of the challenges of implementing a mentoring program for high-risk youth and how they might be overcome. Details: New York: P/PV, Public/Private Ventures, 2006. 49p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 7, 2012 at http://www.ppv.org/ppv/publications/assets/202_publication.pdf Year: 2006 Country: United States URL: http://www.ppv.org/ppv/publications/assets/202_publication.pdf Shelf Number: 124009 Keywords: At-risk YouthCrime ReductionFaith-Based InitiativesMentoringReentry |
Author: Commonwealth Corporation Title: DYS Holyoke Mentoring Pilot Program - Fiscal Year 2009 Report Summary: In fiscal year 2009, Commonwealth Corporation (CommCorp), in partnership with Mass Mentoring Partnership (MMP), brought together DYS and local faith-based organizations – Light of Restoration Ministries and Faith Unlimited, Inc. – in Holyoke, Massachusetts, and implemented a mentoring pilot program that targeted youth in the reentry phase of their commitment to DYS. This approach was based on a positive youth development approach that enables youth, in partnership with the adults working with them, to be active participants in all aspects of their life planning. The Walk in My Shoes mentoring pilot program, as the pilot was named, was managed by CommCorp and focused on providing education and employment-focused mentoring to young people, committed to the care of DYS in the Holyoke area. This program was established to pilot and evaluate a mentoring approach that would have the greatest impact on the lives of DYS clients and respond to their unique strengths and needs. All collaborating partners in this pilot shared a similar perspective and approach to breaking down institutional barriers to assist DYS-involved youth in gaining the key skills and knowledge they need to be productive in their communities and today‟s economy. Through mentoring, the two major goals of the Walk in My Shoes mentoring pilot program were: a) to expand opportunities for DYS youth through exposure to educational and career opportunities, and b) to develop community connections linked to cultivating young people's sense of interest and involvement in the community and in career and future. Using a site-based, group mentoring model, with opportunities for one-to-one mentoring, the pilot initiative aimed to partner 12 adult mentors from the Holyoke community with 12 youth, between the ages of 16-21, all of whom were in the reentry phase of their commitment to DYS. Adult mentors were recruited from the Holyoke community, with a focus on those who shared similar backgrounds and reflected the socio-cultural demographics of the DYS youth involved in the pilot. Based on an evaluation plan that included a pre- and post-survey for mentees and mentors and other sources of feedback, an evaluation team from CommCorp collected data to assess the efficacy of this approach. Both this evaluation data and subsequent recommendations for future mentoring programs for DYS youth are further discussed in this report. Details: Boston, MA: Commonwealth Corporation Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 7, 2012 at http://www.commcorp.org/resources/documents/FY%2009%20DYS%20Mentoring%20Annual%20Report%20Final.pdf Year: 0 Country: United States URL: http://www.commcorp.org/resources/documents/FY%2009%20DYS%20Mentoring%20Annual%20Report%20Final.pdf Shelf Number: 124014 Keywords: Faith-Based OrganizationsJuvenile OffendersMentoringReentry |
Author: Justice Policy Institute Title: Due South: Looking to the South for Criminal Justice Innovations Summary: Southern states historically have had some of the highest incarceration rates in the U.S., regularly trumping the national average. Recognizing the significant costs associated with such high incarceration rates, a number of these states have recently implemented innovative strategies for reducing their prison and jail populations and ensuring better outcomes for people who come into contact with the criminal justice system. These strategies start at the time of arrest, include sentencing reform, and impact who is released from prison on parole and the reentry services they receive upon return to the community. Each of these reforms have either already shown positive results or have significant potential to reduce prison or jail populations, save money and improve public safety. While a number of challenges still face these states and localities around their criminal justice policies, these reforms indicate a significant step toward more fair and effective policies. Although a number of states and localities have implemented or are in the process of creating reforms for youth involved in the juvenile justice system, this brief reviews only adult criminal justice reforms. Details: Washington, DC: Justice Policy Institute, 2011. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 28, 2012 at http://www.justicepolicy.org/uploads/justicepolicy/documents/due_south-full_report.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.justicepolicy.org/uploads/justicepolicy/documents/due_south-full_report.pdf Shelf Number: 124307 Keywords: Incarceration Rates (U.S.)Prison PopulationReentrySentencing Reform |
Author: Fontaine, Jocelyn Title: Housing as a Platform for Formerly Incarcerated Persons Summary: This policy framing paper is one of three that explores the potential for housing combined with support services to create better outcomes for vulnerable populations. The U.S. population of formerly incarcerated individuals has increased dramatically over the past decade, resulting in sweeping consequences to individuals and families, communities, safety, and public spending. Against the backdrop of these reentry challenges, this paper discusses how housing can be a platform or pathway toward more successful reentry and reintegration for formerly incarcerated persons. The authors then identify research needed to inform policymakers and practitioners in meeting the housing and service needs of this at-risk group. This framing paper is part of a series of field-building research agendas produced under the What Works Collaborative. More information can be found on the What Works Collaborative web page. Details: Washington, DC: Urban Institute, 2012. 23p. Source: What Works Collaborative Paper: Internet Resource: Accessed June 19, 2012 at http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/412552-Housing-as-a-Platform-for-Formerly-Incarcerated-Persons.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/412552-Housing-as-a-Platform-for-Formerly-Incarcerated-Persons.pdf Shelf Number: 125354 Keywords: Ex-OffendersHousingReentryReintegration, Offenders |
Author: Brennan, Tim Title: California Department Of Corrections And Rehabilitation (CDCR), Pilot Study Report, Female Offender Programs and Services (FOPS), Risk and Needs Assessment of Women Offenders in California Prisons: An Evaluation of COMPAS Reentry and NIC’s Gender-Respon Summary: As the number of females in prisons and jails increase in the U.S. (Hartney, 2007), correctional agencies are modifying their strategies to better meet the needs of females and also address the impacts their imprisonment is having on children and families. In July 2005, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) established the Female Offender Programs and Services (FOPS) Office to manage and provide oversight for all adult female programs, including prisons, conservation camps, and community programs. FOPS developed a gender-responsive, culturally sensitive approach to program and policy development aimed at improving recidivism outcomes for adult incarcerated and paroled female offenders under the supervision of the CDCR. In addition, the CDCR established a Gender Responsive Strategies Commission (GRSC) to assist in the development of a Master Plan for female offenders. The GRSC is comprised of representatives of the various disciplines within CDCR, including community partners, nationally recognized experts on female offenders, previously incarcerated individuals, family members of women offenders and other external stakeholders, including the California Commission for the Status of Women, the Little Hoover Commission, as well as labor and legislative representatives. Several subcommittees provide input to the CDCR on institutional operational practice and policy, treatment programs, community re-entry, medical and mental health services, and parole. Collaboratively, FOPS and GRSC have developed and will maintain a Master Plan that provides an organizational blueprint for CDCR to incorporate national standards in operational practice, program development, medical and mental health care, substance abuse treatment, family reunification and community re-entry. The organizational blueprint uses a common Case Management Logic for aligning (1) assessment, (2) interpretation, (3) case-planning, (4) intervention, and (5) evaluation efforts. This report focuses on assessment, the first of the five dimensions. Understanding the female population through an assessment of their risks and needs will guide effort in the other four dimensions of effective case management practice. Assessments are used to determine an offender‘s custody classification, supervision level, programming needs, progress in treatment, appropriateness for early release, reentry and revocation of community supervision. Traditionally, institutions have used the same assessment tools for both men and women. In most cases, the tools were developed and validated on male offender populations. This practice has been challenged by mounting evidence of the differences in female offending, their Northpointe – Evolving Practice Through Scientific Innovation 3 motivation for offending, and how to respond to them once incarcerated (Bloom, Owen, and Covington, 2003). For example, in their report on ―Gender Responsive Strategies for Women Offenders‖ Bloom et al. (2003) document that compared to male offenders females are less likely to commit violent offenses, more likely to have been convicted of a drug-related offense, likely to be survivors of physical and/or sexual abuse as children and adults, and to have multiple physical and mental health problems. Given these differences using a ―gender neutral‖ risk assessment tool on the female offender population may not be sufficiently sensitive to their unique risks and needs (Salisbury, Van Voorhis and Wright 2006; Blanchette and Brown 2006). Moreover, using an assessment tool that does not take women‘s specific risks and needs into account may result in inefficient and ineffective management and treatment of female offenders, not to mention the damaging and stigmatizing effects of over classifying women and placing them at higher levels of custody than necessary (Brennan 2008). In an effort to improve the policies and practices for female offenders, FOPS and GRSC have contracted with Pat Van Voorhis at the University of Cincinnati and Northpointe Institute for Public Management to conduct a pilot study for the development of an assessment instrument tailored to the risks and needs of women that helps case managers guide their re-entry into the community. Currently, CDCR uses COMPAS, a fourth generation assessment tool, to assess females for re-entry into the community. While COMPAS uses gender-specific calibrations of all its risk and need factors and a female-based pattern identification procedure reminiscent of the feminist ―pathways‖ model (Daly and Chesney-Lind 1988, Daly 1992) it does not explicitly include a set of gender-responsive factors. The present study examines whether an additional set of assessment questions or scales specifically developed for the female population can be integrated into the COMPAS to help guide female offenders in their transition to the community. This study thus integrates the ―Women‘s Trailer,‖ a female assessment tool developed by Van Voorhis and colleagues with COMPAS Reentry to create a joint domain space that should provide a more expansive and appropriate Gender-Responsive assessment for women. The results of this pilot study will enhance our understanding of female risks and needs and will contribute to the current debate on how to best assess and intervene with female offenders. Details: Northpoint Institute for Public Management, 2008. 78p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 6, 2012 at: http://www.northpointeinc.com/files/research_documents/California_Department_of_Corrections_and_Rehabilitation_(CDCR)_Pilot_Study_Report.pdf Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: http://www.northpointeinc.com/files/research_documents/California_Department_of_Corrections_and_Rehabilitation_(CDCR)_Pilot_Study_Report.pdf Shelf Number: 125396 Keywords: Female InmatesFemale Offenders (California)Female PrisonersReentryRisk Assessment |
Author: Fontaine, Jocelyn Title: Families and Reentry: Unpacking How Social Support Matters Summary: This study evaluated the family-inclusive case management component of the Chicago-based Safer Return program, which engages family members in service provision to former prisoners. Using qualitative and quantitative data, the research focused on the associations between family support and family members' and formerly incarcerated persons' short-term outcomes. The research found that family members have strong and positive relationships with their formerly incarcerated relatives. However, engaging families in the reentry process directly can be challenging because incarcerated persons are reticent to nominate family members and/or family members are unwilling or unable to participate in their family member's reentry program. Details: Washington, DC: The Urban Institute, 2012. 58p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 8, 2012 at http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/1001630-Families-and-Reentry-Unpacking-How-Social-Support-Matters.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/1001630-Families-and-Reentry-Unpacking-How-Social-Support-Matters.pdf Shelf Number: 125940 Keywords: Families of InmatesReentryReintegration, Offenders |
Author: ARCS (UK) Ltd, Title: RESET Evaluation -- Final Report Summary: RESET was an ESF EQUAL (European) funded programme aiming to establish a best practice model of resettlement of young offenders in England. It was designed to challenge the lack of integration and cohesion between the agencies involved. It ran for 2 years from July 2005, with an initial setting-up phase before this date. It was led by the charity Rainer, with over 50 partner organisations contributing assistance, expertise and match funding. The partners included Government departments, Regional Government offices, the Prison Service, YJB, Metropolitan Police, Commission for Racial Equality, Connexions, housing providers and voluntary organisations working with young people. The Programme had international partners in Holland, Poland, and Spain, although the programmes in these countries differed significantly from that in England. The project was initiated as a response to research, policy and practice recognition of the need for better resettlement for young offenders. As an early RESET document noted: A previous evaluation of Detention and Training Orders (DTOs) for young people, which included researchers from this evaluation (Hazel, Hagell, Liddle, Archer, Grimshaw and King, 2002), identified several problems with “throughcare” for young people in England and Wales. These problems began even before release, when there was found to be little preparation for release, and minimal communication between prison and community agencies. After release, there was little involvement of agencies other than youth offending teams (YOTs). There was only limited education, training and organised leisure, with problems also identified in relation to accommodation. Good practice, based on research in the USA and the UK, is considered to contain the following elements (Hagell, 2004): continuous case management from the start of sentence (or earlier) to the end of the community supervision period (or longer?), with direct links between custody and the community; commitment and continuity of staff; preparation for release while in custody; a highly structured and assisted transition to the community; both surveillance and enhanced service delivery in the community, with a balance of incentives and graduated consequences for behaviour; services to meet a range of the needs, with sufficient numbers of qualified staff in both the institution and the community; the intensity of the programme tailored to the level of risk of reoffending; and effective links between services, staff and teams in both settings. RESET was intended to explore ways in which this research knowledge could be integrated into policy and practice in England and Wales in order to address problems such as those identified in the DTO evaluation. The specific aims of the evaluation (with relevance to this report) were: to assess the effectiveness of the RESET programme in improving outcomes for young offenders sentenced to custody (including reduced offending behaviour and engagement in a positive lifestyle); to assess the detailed activities and achievements of the programme, in order to identify the key elements that contributed to the outcomes; to assess the direct and indirect costs of RESET, distinguishing between the ‘one-off’ transitional costs and the continuing costs of running the programme (since carried out and published separately by Judith Renshaw); to assess the effectiveness of the RESET programme on particular groups of young offenders, including young women and refugees/asylum seekers/foreign nationals, and to draw some conclusions about the overall contribution of the RESET approach and programme, including its impact on national policy and practice, its ability to be transferred to the mainstream and the effectiveness of the management partnership. Details: Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 28, 2012 at: http://www.commonwealhousing.org.uk/data/files/reset__final_report_final_version.pdf Year: 0 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.commonwealhousing.org.uk/data/files/reset__final_report_final_version.pdf Shelf Number: 126167 Keywords: Juvenile Offenders (U.K.)ReentryResettlement |
Author: Bellotti, Jeanne Title: Giving Ex-Offenders a Choice in Life: First Findings from the Beneficiary Choice Demonstration Summary: The number of individuals being released from prisons and jails in the United States has continued to grow for the past decade. More than 672,000 individuals were released from Federal and state prisons in 2004, a significant increase from 405,000 individuals in 1990. Upon release from incarceration, ex-offenders often face a range of challenges. Many have low levels of education and literacy, limited prior attachment to the legal workforce, reduced ties to family and community, and histories of substance abuse and mental health problems (Bushway and Reuter 2002; Petersilia 2003; Steurer et al. 2002; Nelson et al. 1999; Byrne et al. 2002). Former prisoners may also confront barriers that directly limit their ability to gain employment, including lack of basic documentation, the use of criminal background checks by employers, and state laws and licensing requirements for certain jobs (Clear and Cole 2000). If not adequately addressed, these barriers can reduce reentry success. Estimates suggest that 45 percent of state prisoners are rearrested within one year of release and 67 percent within three years (Langan and Levin 2002). Prompted by this research, Federal policymakers began in the late 1990s to shift their focus and resources to initiatives aimed at helping ex-offenders successfully reintegrate into society. Programs funded by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), such as Weed and Seed and the Reentry Partnership Initiative, began to bridge the divides among correctional agencies, community supervision, and local public and private social service agencies. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has also funded several prominent initiatives within the past decade, including the Youth Offenders Demonstration, the Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative, Ready4Work, and the Prisoner Reentry Initiative (PRI). To further expand its initiatives to serve this needy population, the Employment and Training Administration within DOL created the Beneficiary Choice Contracting Program, a demonstration to help ex-offenders successfully enter and remain in the workforce and stay free of crime. To be eligible for the program, individuals must be between 18 and 29 years of age, have been convicted of a Federal or state crime, and have been released from a Federal or state institution within the past 60 days. In July 2007, DOL awarded five grantees a total of $5 million for the first year of operations to serve approximately 225 participants each.The Beneficiary Choice Demonstration involves an indirect funding model in which grantees engage in performance-based contracts with specialized service providers (SSPs) to provide employment-focused services to participants. DOL provided a blueprint for building a service delivery structure that includes the grantee, a services coordinator, and at least five specialized SSPs. Grantees maintain the administrative functions. Services coordinators serve as the gateway for participants to select an SSP. The SSPs then provide in-depth services. Community partners also provide referrals and leveraged resources to support service delivery. The model has three key components that distinguish it from prior programs: 1. Emphasis on Participant Choice. The cornerstone of the program is that it allows participants to choose the program that best meets their needs. Each SSP must offer three core services: (1) workforce readiness training, (2) career counseling, and (3) six months of follow-up services. SSPs are also expected to offer a unique combination of supplemental and supportive services. 2. Expansion of the Service Delivery Network. Grantees were encouraged by DOL to engage a wide range of SSPs, including faith-based and community organizations (FBCOs) that offer both a range of secular and faith-infused services. DOL also required that each grantee partner with at least one local provider with which it has not previously worked. In this way, the demonstration can draw on the unique qualifications of FBCOs that may not typically partner with the government. 3. Use of Performance-Based Contracts. Grantees are required to engage in performance-based contracts with at least five SSPs that offer services to participants. Providers receive benchmark payments as they document their success in helping participants achieve key outcomes, such as completing services, obtaining a job, and retaining employment. The Beneficiary Choice model is a new direction in the provision of services to exoffenders and, therefore, is likely to pique the interest of policymakers and program administrators alike. DOL contracted with Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. (MPR) to evaluate the implementation of the program, the short-term outcomes of participants, and the costs of providing services. The evaluation addresses six research questions: 1. How do grantees plan for, implement, and operate the program? 2. How do grantees ensure that participants have a true and independent choice of providers? 3. How does performance-based contracting influence implementation? 4. What are the characteristics of participants and what services do they receive? 5. What are the employment outcomes and recidivism rates of participants? 6. What are the costs of the program? Details: Princeton, NJ: Mathematica Policy Research, Inc., 2008. 156p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 4, 2012 at: http://wdr.doleta.gov/research/FullText_Documents/Giving%20Ex-Offenders%20a%20Choice%20in%20Life%20-%20First%20Findings%20from%20the%20Beneficiary%20Choice%20Demonstration.pdf Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: http://wdr.doleta.gov/research/FullText_Documents/Giving%20Ex-Offenders%20a%20Choice%20in%20Life%20-%20First%20Findings%20from%20the%20Beneficiary%20Choice%20Demonstration.pdf Shelf Number: 126237 Keywords: Ex-Offenders, Employment (U.S.)ReentryRehabilitation ProgramsVocational Education and Trainings |
Author: Fletcher, Del Roy Title: Qualitative Study of Offender Employment Review: Final Report Summary: The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) commissioned the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research (CRESR) to undertake a qualitative study of offender employment services, with a specific focus on the progress made in the implementation of the recommendations of the joint DWP/Ministry of Justice (MOJ) offender employment review. The key objectives of the study were to: • identify how well the recommendations of the review have been implemented; • identify the extent to which the changes implemented have contributed to improved offender employment services; • establish what further reforms should be developed to maximise the employment outcomes for offenders; • assist in developing future policy for the offender group; • consider the role of drug treatment services in the offender employment journey. The DWP and MOJ provide a range of support to offenders through their delivery organisations such as Jobcentre Plus and the National Offender Management Service (NOMS). The Skills Funding Agency (SFA) commissions the Offender Learning and Skills Service which provides the majority of prison education in the public sector and seeks to ensure that offenders have the skills and qualifications needed to hold down a job and play a positive role in society. In 2009, the Permanent Secretaries of the DWP and MOJ launched a joint strategic review of offender employment services. The aim was to ‘improve offender employment support by conducting a strategic review of current services offered by DWP and MOJ and implementing improvements to make services more coherent and effective without increasing resources’. Details: London: Department for Work and Pensions, 2012. 65p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Report No 784: Accessed September 4, 2012 at: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/rports2011-2012/rrep784.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/rports2011-2012/rrep784.pdf Shelf Number: 126238 Keywords: Drug OffendersEx-Offenders, Employment (U.K.)ReentryVocational Education and Training |
Author: DeMichele, Matthew Title: APPA's C.A.R.E. Model: A Framework for Collaboration, Analysis, Reentry, and Evaluation: A Response to Street Gang Violence Summary: Recognizing the continued prevalence of crime in local communities, the U.S. Department of Justice implemented the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative (PSN). Previous results from Boston’s Operation Ceasefire, Richmond’s Project Exile, and New York’s Compstat confirmed that crime control is not something that the justice system can accomplish alone. Instead, strong interagency collaborations are needed to incorporate law enforcement, prosecution and the courts, probation and parole, universities, community leaders, and faith-based organizations (McGarrell et al., 2009). These earlier initiatives found that as much as 50 percent of homicides in Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles were gang related (Blumstein, 1995; Braga, Pierce, McDevitt, Bond, & Cronin, 2008; Pritchard & Evans, 2001), with over 90 percent of these homicides involving a firearm (NGIC, 2009). Interestingly, up to 80 percent of homicide offenders and 56 percent of victims were shown to be probationers and parolees (Bowman, 2005). To assist community corrections agencies in this collaborative endeavor, the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) created the PSN-inspired C.A.R.E. (collaboration, analysis, reentry, evaluation) model (DeMichele & Matz, 2010; Matz, Lowe, & DeMichele, 2011). APPA provides several policy and practice recommendations to assist probation and parole agencies as they pursue collaborative interventions using the C.A.R.E. framework; whole or in part. Details: Lexington, KY: American Probation and Parole Association/Council of State Governments; Washington, DC: Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, 2011. 67p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 21, 2012 at: http://www.appa-net.org/psn/docs/PSN_CARE_Model.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.appa-net.org/psn/docs/PSN_CARE_Model.pdf Shelf Number: 126557 Keywords: CollaborationGang ViolenceGangs (U.S.)Reentry |
Author: Warwick, Kevin Title: Case Management Strategies for Successful Jail Reentry Summary: In 2007, the National Institute of Corrections partnered with the Urban Institute to develop and test a comprehensive Transition from Jail to Community (TJC) model for effective jail-to-community transition. The TJC model and initiative advance systems-level change and local reentry through collaborative, coordinated jail-community partnerships. This brief presents the TJC Initiative’s approach to case planning and community handoff, drawing upon the implementation experiences of six TJC learning sites, all of which implemented elements of the TJC case management process and were continuing to work toward a more seamless and integrated process at the close of the TJC technical assistance period. Details: Washington, DC: Urban Institute; National Institute of Corrections, 2012. 10p. Source: Transition from Jail to Community Initiative Practice Brief: Internet Resource: Accessed October 7, 2012 at http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/412671-Case-Management-Strategies-for-Successful-Jail-Reentry.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/412671-Case-Management-Strategies-for-Successful-Jail-Reentry.pdf Shelf Number: 126575 Keywords: JailsOffender ManagementOffender ReintegrationPrisoner ReentryReentry |
Author: Christensen, Gary Title: The Role of Screening and Assessment in Jail Reentry Summary: In 2007, the National Institute of Corrections partnered with the Urban Institute to develop and test the Transition from Jail to Community (TJC) model for effective jail-to-community transition. The TJC model and initiative advance systems change and local reentry through collaborative, coordinated jail-community partnerships. This brief details the two-stage screening and assessment process to determine risk and need levels in the jail population. It describes the importance of screening and assessment in an evidence-based jail transition strategy, including: selecting screening and assessment instruments; implementing a screening and assessment process; and integrating risk and need information into comprehensive jail intervention strategies. Details: Washington, DC: Urban Institute; National Institute of Corrections, 2012. 11p. Source: Transition from Jail to Community Initiative Practice Brief: Internet Resource: Accessed October 7, 2012 at Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 126576 Keywords: Evidence-Based PracticesJailsPrisoner ReentryReentryRisk Assessment |
Author: Bloom, Dan Title: Transitional Jobs: Background, Program Models, and Evaluation Evidence Summary: The budget for the U.S. Department of Labor for Fiscal Year 2010 includes a total of $45 million to support and study transitional jobs. This paper describes the origins of the transitional jobs models that are operating today, reviews the evidence on the effectiveness of this approach and other subsidized employment models, and offers some suggestions regarding the next steps for program design and research. The paper was produced for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services by MDRC as part of the Enhanced Services for the Hard-to-Employ project, which includes two random assignment evaluations of transitional jobs programs. Transitional jobs programs provide temporary, wage-paying jobs, support services, and job placement help to individuals who have difficulty getting and holding jobs in the regular labor market. Although recent evaluation results have raised doubts about whether TJ programs, as currently designed, are an effective way to improve participants’ long-term employment prospects, the studies have also confirmed that TJ programs can be operated at scale, can create useful work opportunities for very disadvantaged people, and can lead to critical indirect impacts such as reducing recidivism among former prisoners. Thus, in drawing lessons from the recent results, the paper argues that it may be important to think more broadly about the goals of TJ programs while simultaneously testing new strategies that may produce better long-term employment outcomes. Details: New York: MDRC, 2010. 59p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 5, 2013 at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/opre/tj_09_paper_embed.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/opre/tj_09_paper_embed.pdf Shelf Number: 127848 Keywords: Employment (U.S.)Ex-OffendersReentryTransitional Jobs |
Author: Bateman, Tim Title: Resettlement of Young People Leaving Custody: Lessons from the literature Summary: This literature review aims to set out the research and practice evidence about effective resettlement services for children and young adults and can be used to inform future policy and practice to ensure service delivery is evidence based. The findings of the review will help to steer the focus of Beyond Youth Custody’s research over the duration of the programme and act as a baseline to assess how our understanding has advanced in terms of what works in facilitating the transition from youth custody to the community and beyond. In addition, the review highlights some examples of good practice, as well as the emerging key principles of effective resettlement provision. This literature review presents the findings of an analysis of research and practice literature about resettlement services for young people when they leave custody. It will act as a baseline to assess how the Youth in Focus delivery projects have advanced our knowledge of what works within youth resettlement following custody. The review also highlights some emerging principles of effective practice that will be useful for practitioners, policymakers and commissioners to ensure resettlement services are designed and delivered in a way which meets the needs of young people and consequently which reduces reoffending. The headline findings of the literature review are: •Custodial sentences have the highest reconviction rates, but more effective and better coordinated resettlement provision and planning can significantly reduce offending and public costs. •The reduction of numbers in custody has brought additional challenges in relation to resettling these remaining young people. •The transition from custody to community is an opportunity for positive change for young people, but is impeded by system failures in joint working between community stakeholders and the institution. •Key principles to inform effective practice include: ensuring continuity between custody and community; adequate preparation for release; ensuring support immediately on release; proactive engagement and collaboration with the young person; and a focus on co-ordinating partnerships of stakeholders across sectors. •Priority issues for further exploration include: continuity across the transition to adulthood; sustained engagement to and beyond the end of the licence; ensuring support without increasing licence requirements; meeting diversity in the custodial population; managing an exit from support; extending resettlement provision to the remand population; and critical consideration of alternative aims and measures for long-term resettlement success. Details: London: Beyond Youth Custody, 2013. 33p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 8, 2013 at: http://www.beyondyouthcustody.net/resources/publications/lessons-from-the-literature/ Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.beyondyouthcustody.net/resources/publications/lessons-from-the-literature/ Shelf Number: 128679 Keywords: Juvenile Offenders (U.K.)ReentryReintegrationResettlement |
Author: Blodgett, Janet C. Title: A Structured Evidence Review to Identify Treatment Needs of Justice-Involved Veterans and Associated Psychological Interventions Summary: In order to better serve the population of justice-involved Veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has developed targeted Veterans Justice Programs (VJP), including Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) and Health Care for Reentry Veterans (HCRV). To support the mission of VJP, this review synthesizes research relevant to (1) the unique treatment needs of justice-involved Veterans, with a primary focus on mental health needs, and (2) evidence-based and promising treatments for addressing these needs. This synthesis of unique treatment needs and best practices can serve as a guide for VJP that will allow it to capitalize on existing strengths of the program and promote further development of evidenced-based programs to address the needs of justice-involved Veterans both within and outside of VA. Details: Menlo Park, CA: Center for Health Care Evaluation VA Palo Alto Health Care System, 2013. 126p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 26, 2013 at: http://www.ilapsc.org/pdfs/Justice-InvolvedVeteransStructuredEvidenceReviewFINAL.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://www.ilapsc.org/pdfs/Justice-InvolvedVeteransStructuredEvidenceReviewFINAL.pdf Shelf Number: 129188 Keywords: Inmates, VeteransMental Health TreatmentProblem-Solving CourtsReentryVeteransVeterans Treatment Courts |
Author: Durnescu, Ioan Title: Resettlement Research and Practices. An International Perspective. Summary: This report provides a comprehensive account of resettlement practices and research around the world. The main focus is around the questions: what are the initiatives that have been found effective by research and how are they implemented into real life settings. An adapted version of the framework provided by Taxman (2004) is instrumental in structuring the presentation. Therefore, research findings and practices are divided into three different stages: institutional stage, pre-release stage and the post-custody stage. A summary of the existing theoretical models available is also provided. In this part, Risk-Needs-Responsivity model and the Desistance paradigm receive a more extended account since they are the dominant ones and are already considered effective by the empirical studies. A few messages are important to retrieve from this section. First, it is essential that prisoners are treated fair and just and the quality of the professional relationship is carefully observed. Second, programs based on cognitive restructuring, motivating offenders and developing human and social capital seem to be the most effective in triggering and supporting change. As for the institutional stage a number of ideas stood up as important learning points: programs should start as soon as possible after the sentence and are organized from the release perspective, programs should be designed and delivered by motivated and professional staff that strongly believe in change, programs such as vocational training, education, drug rehabilitation and therapeutic - community are acknowledged in systematic reviews as effective in preventing reoffending. At the pre-release stage concepts such as continuity, coherence and consistency are important for describing effective programs. Two programs – FOR...A Change and Reducing the Risk of Reoffending – seem to incorporate these concepts and produced promising results. Programs dealing with transition from inside to the outside world and also with employment produced also useful conclusions. In the post-release stage it is important to continue the programs started inside the prison and overcome the reintegration barriers while supporting hope and motivation within released people. Issues like employment, stigma, financial aid, community and family are discussed in some depth. Some of the conclusions refer to the fact that research already produced some important hard data that can be used in real life settings. More has to be done to promote prison and probation organisations to become true learning organisation. Research on penology issues should employ more sensitive and credible methodologies such as quasi-experimental or experimental designs. In the same time qualitative insights should be pursued in order to understand better what, with whom and in what context change is possible. In the final part of the report the author suggests an European project structured in three directions: develop a trans-theoretical model for resettlement, pilot the model and evaluate it. Details: Utrecht, The Netherlands: European Organisation for Probation, 2011. 30p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 17, 2013 at: http://www.cepprobation.org/uploaded_files/Durnescu-CEP-Resettlement-research-and-practice-final.pdf Year: 2011 Country: International URL: http://www.cepprobation.org/uploaded_files/Durnescu-CEP-Resettlement-research-and-practice-final.pdf Shelf Number: 129431 Keywords: Correctional Treatment ProgramsOffenders Treatment ProgramsPrisoner RehabilitationProbationProbationersReentryResettlement |
Author: Thelin, Rachel Title: Evaluation of Indianapolis Comprehensive Anti-Gang Initiative Reentry Program, 2009-2010 Summary: In 2006, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) initiated the Comprehensive Anti-Gang Initiative (CAGI) to support law enforcement in combating violent gang crime and promoting prevention efforts that discouraged gang involvement. The initiative grew out of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide program aimed at reducing gun and gang crime through support of existing local programs. DOJ dedicated $30 million in grant funding to support new and expanded anti-gang prevention and enforcement efforts through CAGI. DOJ initially provided anti-gang resources to six cities. In April 2007, CAGI was expanded to include four additional sites, including Indianapolis, Indiana. CAGI provided $2.5 million in targeted grant funding for a three-year period to each selected city to implement a three-pronged strategy to reduce gang involvement and crime, which included initiatives in prevention/intervention, law enforcement, and reentry. Approximately $1 million was dedicated to support comprehensive gang prevention and intervention efforts with youth. An additional $1 million was targeted to law enforcement and $500,000 to support reentry initiatives. This report focuses on an assessment of the reentry initiatives for the CAGI grant to the city of Indianapolis through 2010. Details: Indianapolis: Center for Criminal Justice Research, School of Public and Environmental Affairs Indiana University, 2011. 42p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 5, 2013 at: https://archives.iupui.edu/handle/2450/5568 Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: https://archives.iupui.edu/handle/2450/5568 Shelf Number: 129540 Keywords: Delinquency PreventionGang ViolenceGangs (Indianapolis, U.S.)Reentry |
Author: Davis, Lois M. Title: How Effective is Correctional Education, and Where Do We Go from Here? The Results of a Comprehensive Evaluation Summary: Each year, more than 700,000 incarcerated individuals leave federal and state prisons; within three years of release, 40 percent will have committed new crimes or violated the terms of their release and be reincarcerated. Although a number of factors impede the ability of ex-offenders to successfully reintegrate into communities and, thus, affect recidivism rates, one key factor is that many ex-offenders do not have the knowledge, training, and skills to support a successful return to their communities. Research, for example, shows that ex-offenders, on average, are less educated than the general population: 37 percent of individuals in state prisons had attained less than a high school education in 2004, compared with 19 percent of the general U.S. population age 16 and over; 16.5 percent of state prisoners had just a high school diploma, compared with 26 percent of the general population; and 14.4 percent of state prison inmates had at least some postsecondary education, compared with 51 percent of the general U.S. adult population. Moreover, literacy levels for the prison population also tend to be lower than that of the general U.S. population. This lower level of educational attainment represents a significant challenge for exoffenders returning to local communities, because it impedes their ability to find employment. A lack of vocational skills and a steady history of employment also have an impact, with research showing that incarceration impacts unemployment and earnings in a number of ways, including higher unemployment rates for ex-offenders and lower hourly wages when they are employed. Also, individuals being released to the community face a very different set of job market needs than ever before, given the growing role of computer technology and the need for at least basic computer skills. Given these gaps in educational attainment and vocational skills and the impact they have on ex-offenders, one strategy is to provide education to inmates while they are incarcerated, so that they have the skills to support a successful return to their communities. Historically, support for educational programs within correctional settings has waxed and waned over time as the nations philosophy of punishment has shifted from rehabilitation to crime control. Although there is general consensus today that education is an important component of rehabilitation, the question remains: How effective is it in helping to reduce recidivism and improve postrelease employment outcomes? The question is especially salient as the nation as a whole and states in particular have struggled with the need to make spending cuts to all social programs due to the recession of 2008 and its long aftermath. With funding from the Second Chance Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-199), the U.S. Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Assistance awarded RAND a cooperative agreement in 2010 to comprehensively examine the current state of correctional education for incarcerated adults and juveniles, where it is headed, which correctional education programs are effective, and how effective programs can be implemented across different settings. The study was designed to address the following key questions of importance to the field of correctional education: 1. What is known about the effectiveness of correctional education programs for incarcerated adults? 2. What is known about the effectiveness of correctional education programs for juvenile offenders? 3. What does the current landscape of correctional education look like in the United States, and what are some emerging issues and trends to consider? 4. What recommendations emerge from the study for the U.S. Department of Justice and other federal departments to further the field of correction education, and where are there gaps in our knowledge? What promising practices, if any, emerge from this review and evaluation? To address these questions, we used a mixed-methods approach. This report first presents a summary of the prior systematic literature review and meta-analysis of adult correctional education programs (Davis et al., 2013), which included studies completed between 1980 and 2011. It then presents two new sections: a systematic literature review of primary studies of correctional education programs for juveniles and a nationwide web-based survey of state correctional education directors. We conclude with a set of recommendations for moving the field forward. For purposes of our study, we defined correctional education for incarcerated adults as including the following: - Adult basic education: basic skills instruction in arithmetic, reading, writing, and, if needed, English as a second language (ESL) - Adult secondary education: instruction to complete high school or prepare for a certificate of high school equivalency, such as the General Education Development (GED) certificate - Vocational education or career technical education (CTE): training in general employment skills and in skills for specific jobs or industries - Postsecondary education: college-level instruction that enables an individual to earn college credit that may be applied toward a two- or four-year postsecondary degree. To meet our definition of correctional education, the program had to be administered at least partly within a correctional facility. Programs that also included a postrelease transition component remained eligible as long as part of the program was administered in a correctional setting. For the juvenile program systematic review, we define incarcerated youth as individuals under age 21 who are legally assigned to correctional facilities as a result of arrest, detainment for court proceedings, adjudication by a juvenile court, or conviction in an adult criminal court (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 2013). We define correctional education as any academic or vocational education/CTE program provided within the correctional facility setting, regardless of jurisdiction. As with our adult review, we permitted eligible interventions for juveniles to include an aftercare (postrelease) component, but the interventions had to be delivered primarily in the correctional facility. Details: Santa Monica, CA: RAND, 2014. 156p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 19, 2014 at: http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR500/RR564/RAND_RR564.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR500/RR564/RAND_RR564.pdf Shelf Number: 132085 Keywords: Correctional EducationEmploymentEx-OffendersRecidivismReentryRehabilitation Vocational Education and Training |
Author: Raphael, Steven Title: The New Scarlet Letter? Negotiating the U.S. Labor Market with a Criminal Record Summary: The numbers are eye-opening. In 2007, on any given day, 2.2 percent of all males in the United States were incarcerated, including 7.9 percent of all black males. Some 2.6 percent of white males , 7.7 percent of Hispanic males, and 16.6 percent of black males have spent time in state or federal prison at some point in their lives. And for a male child born in 2001, the likelihood of going to prison is 5.9 percent for whites, 17.2 percent for Hispanics, and a whopping 32.2 percent for blacks. Of those who spend time in prison, the overwhelming majority will be released back into society, thereby becoming potential participants in the U.S. labor market. But the barriers they confront as they try to gain employment are substantial: they face the lack of public assistance, poor employment prospects, the reluctance of employers to hire ex-convicts because of liability issues, and the stigma associated with being an ex-convict. This has policymakers focused on ways to facilitate reentry into the labor market for this growing population. Steven Raphael provides a concise overview of this issue. First, he studies the factors that influence the market's supply and demand sides. Next, he presents an empirical portrait of the inmate population, recently released inmates, and the youth who eventually enter the prison system as young adults. Raphael reviews what is known about how employers use criminal histories in screening job applicants and the empirical research on the effects of a criminal record on labor market outcomes; he then describes programs designed to help inmates enter the labor force that show positive results. Raphael concludes with a set of policy recommendations aimed at addressing the concerns of employers and preparing inmates for the labor force as they exit the prison system. Details: Kalamazoo, MI: W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, 2014. 117p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 17, 2014 at: http://research.upjohn.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1244&context=up_press Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://research.upjohn.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1244&context=up_press Shelf Number: 132491 Keywords: Ex-Offender EmploymentLabor MarketReentry |
Author: Losel, Friedrich Title: Risk and protective factors in the resettlement of imprisoned fathers with their families Summary: Parental imprisonment can be one of the most critical life events for families. It can disrupt marital and family relationships, have negative outcomes for children, and aggravate material and social problems. Furthermore, adjusting to life after prison is challenging for ex-prisoners and their families. Approximately one-half of prisoners are fathers of children under the age of 18, yet prisoners' children and families seem to be an 'invisible group' in our society (Ministry of Justice/Department for Schools, Children and Families, 2007). How families adjust to the return of an imprisoned partner or parent, the stress these events place on parents and children, and the support systems and coping mechanisms of family members have been rarely addressed in research. Most of past research has focused on parental imprisonment as a risk factor in the development of families and, in particular, the children (e.g., Murray & Farrington, 2008). On the other hand, families with strong ties can also be 'a resource, which is part of the solution' (Ministry of Justice, 2007, p. 17). Such relationships may help to protect the children of prisoners from negative outcomes and enable ex-prisoners to desist from further offending. To provide more detailed knowledge on both risk and protective factors and processes, the present study has been carried out in a collaboration between Ormiston Children and Families Trust and the Institute of Criminology at the University of Cambridge (funded by a grant from the Big Lottery Fund). The project is the first prospective longitudinal study in the United Kingdom and Europe to investigate risk and protective factors in the resettlement of imprisoned fathers and their families that gathered data from family sets of parents and children. It has addressed the quality of family relationships, contact during imprisonment, communication and problem solving, parenting and care-giving, informal social support, experiences of stigmatisation, finances, employment, accommodation, participation in support programmes, health issues, social behaviour, resilience and other factors that may be linked to positive or negative outcomes for parents and children. The research has been undertaken not only to increase our knowledge of such processes, but also to assist the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) and third sector organisations working to support families to develop more effective interventions for imprisoned fathers, their (ex)partners and their children. Details: Cambridge, UK: University of Cambridge, 2012. 125p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 5, 2015 at: http://www.crim.cam.ac.uk/research/fathers_in_prison/final_report.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.crim.cam.ac.uk/research/fathers_in_prison/final_report.pdf Shelf Number: 134544 Keywords: Children of PrisonersFamilies of Inmates (U.K.)ReentryResettlement |
Author: North Carolina Central University. Juvenile Justice Institute Title: Durham Comprehensive Anti-Gang Initiative: Project Bull's Eye. Evaluation Report Summary: The Durham Comprehensive Anti-Gang Initiative (CAGI), a 3-year gang prevention and reduction initiative, was developed to reduce gangs and the underlying causes that support them. The Durham Comprehensive Anti-Gang Initiative adopted the combined strategies of law enforcement, prevention-intervention, and reentry, outlined by the U.S. Department of Justice, to address gangs and gang-related violence within the Bull's Eye area of Durham, North Carolina. Component 1: Suppression by law enforcement: The goal of this component was to reduce the occurrence of violent gang-related incidents in the Bull's Eye area through the use of reactive and proactive strategies. Strategies of this component included: a. Utilizing new intelligence software, specifically i2 Analyst Notebook, and i2 iBridge to link the DPD's Report Management System (RMS) and Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) to Gang-Net, which is a statewide gang intelligence program. b. Utilizing SunGuard HTE Link Analysis software to allow investigators and officers to construct intelligence diagrams of RMS data in their investigations by structuring the information in an organized format. c. Continuing a partnership with the North Carolina Department of Community Corrections in conducting court approved searches of probationers, with a direct focus on gang members within the target area. d. Continuing the monthly Gun Review Meetings whereby all gun arrest cases from Durham County are reviewed by the Law Enforcement Task Force made up of members from the DPD, Durham County Sheriff's office, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, North Carolina Department of Community Corrections, Durham County District Attorney's office and the United States Attorney's Office (Middle District). e. Instituting the High Point Drug Market Initiative in the Bull's Eye area in order to address street level drug activity and violent crime. f. Providing training for law enforcement partners in the area of gang investigation in order to arm them with the necessary knowledge to conduct successful gang investigations. g. Increasing police visibility and proactive policing efforts in the Bull's Eye area by adding additional law enforcement personnel with the use of overtime funds. Component 2: Prevention and intervention services by public/non-profit community agencies - the goal of this component was to reduce the occurrence of youth gang-related incidents and increase positive outcomes for youth at high risk of gang involvement through targeted, evidenced-based gang prevention. Community-based agencies had the opportunity to seek funding for addressing prevention/ intervention activities within the Bull's Eye area. The strategies of this component included: a. Expanding the use of the North Carolina Child Response Initiative (NCCRI). This service uses a system of care approach with a focus on acute stabilization and assessment with evidence based treatments for victims. The aim of this mental health service approach is to stabilize children in crisis, assess trauma symptoms, increase service access and coordination and avert further victimization. These services are delivered on the scene. b. Expanding the role of faith-based organizations to increase services to youth victims and offenders. The Religious Coalition for Non-Violent Durham collaborates with other local faith-based organizations in the targeted area to increase services to youth victims and offenders. c. Increasing referrals of the most troubled youth to address quality of life issues within the community and to foster positive behavior among youth living within the targeted area. Component 3:Reentry services offered by local governmental entities -- the goal of this component was to increase public safety by reducing recidivism rates for high-impact gang-involved offenders returning to the community after incarceration, through the use of vouchers, mentors and community organizations for the delivery of services and treatment. Strategies of this component included: a. Targeting 15 to 20 offenders per year b. Developing a system to identify Security Threat Group (STG) inmates prior to release c. Hiring a case manager d. Identifying other potential CAGI participants who do not come through the North Carolina Department of Correction's channels e. Identifying service providers who would deliver services to offenders at no cost f. Identifying service providers who would offer services through vouchers and enter into contracts with the Durham County Criminal Justice Resource Center Details: Durham, NC: Juvenile Justice Institute, North Carolina Central University, 2012. 166p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 8, 2015 at: http://www.durhamnc.gov/agendas_new/2012/cws20120319/304732_8352_443097.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://www.durhamnc.gov/agendas_new/2012/cws20120319/304732_8352_443097.pdf Shelf Number: 135184 Keywords: Delinquency PreventionGangs (North Carolina)InterventionLaw Enforcement IntelligencePartnershipsReentryYouth Gangs |
Author: Owens, Elizabeth Title: Exploring the experiences of Minority Ethnic Women in Resettlement: What role, if any, does ethnic culture play in the resettlement of Black (African-Caribbean) women offenders in the UK? Summary: The aim of this research project was to explore the experiences of black and minority ethnic women in resettlement in order to form a picture of resettlement from their perspective and to determine what, if any, role ethnic culture played in resettlement. Four questions were formed as guidance to achieve this aim: 1. What are the resettlement needs of minority ethnic women? 2. What role does ethnic culture play in the resettlement of African, Caribbean, Black and mixed (within these groups) women in the UK? 3. How do minority ethnic women access and understand resettlement services? Is this influenced by their ethnic culture? If yes, to what degree, and how? 4. How are some providers successfully engaging these women? What are the 'challenging' areas to work on in making services accessible and meaningful to these women? Current literature on the topic is focused on the experiences of minority ethnic women in the criminal justice system and resettlement is largely neglected. There is a lack of data on minority ethnic women in the criminal justice system in general, but particularly in regard to resettlement. Official reports and consultations stress the need for identification and evidence of minority ethnic women's experiences. Through semi‐ structured interviews with minority ethnic women in resettlement and service providers providing resettlement support to minority ethnic women, participants were asked to share their experiences. Ethnic culture was not identified by the sample as a primary concern in resettlement. Rather, both women in resettlement and service providers were more concerned with meeting 'general primary needs' that are broadly shared by individuals in resettlement, such as housing, income and child issues. In spite of this, all the participants felt that minority ethnic women had unique and different needs in resettlement than those of their white counterparts. Details: London: The Griffins Society, 2010. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Paper 2010/01: Accessed May 27, 2015 at: http://www.thegriffinssociety.org/documents/Research_Paper_2010_01.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.thegriffinssociety.org/documents/Research_Paper_2010_01.pdf Shelf Number: 129826 Keywords: Ethnic GroupsFemale OffendersMinority GroupsReentryResettlement |
Author: Western Australia. Drug and Alcohol Office Title: Transitional Housing and Support Program (THASP) Evaluation Summary: In March 2011, the Economic and Expenditure Reform Committee (EERC) approved a Combined Capital Bid (CCB) by the Minister for Mental Health; Disability Services, to provide capital funding for community based housing for people with mental illness, AOD problems and disabilities. The Transitional Housing and Support Program (THASP) Phase 1 was established as a pilot, jointly implemented by Department of Housing (DoH) and the Drug and Alcohol Office (DAO). THASP Program Scope In May 2011 THASP Phase 1 commenced providing community based, independent living for people exiting residential AOD treatment programs. A key feature of the THASP program is ongoing support for clients to help with personal recovery and relapse prevention. Clients are assisted with support worker visits; counselling; integration back into the community, education, training and employment; independent living skills; and identifying suitable long term housing. Support provided in each house can vary from harm minimisation, reduced use and ongoing abstinence (with the possible exception of prescription medication or tobacco). The houses are either sole use, shared with other participants or with the client's family. Houses can include mixed cohorts or programs for specific populations, such as mixed gender, women with children, youth or Aboriginal people and families. The houses are primarily available for 3-6 months however some cases may warrant longer term (up to 12 months). Clients can include those with severe and long-term problematic use of alcohol and other drugs, a history of unsuccessful treatment, home or social environment unsupportive of treatment and/or clients who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. It was expected that THASP would achieve the following: - positive outcomes for clients and their families accessing the services; - an increase in number of people exiting residential rehabilitation services and successfully transitioning into independent living; and - a reduction in the number of people exiting residential rehabilitation into homelessness. Evaluation Scope Data collection for the THASP evaluation commenced in March 2013 and was completed by 30 August 2013. Within scope were 15 THASP houses allocated to 8 residential treatment support providers. From commencement of THASP to 30 August 2013, 35 clients resided in a THASP house with an average length of stay of 6 months. The key evaluation objectives were to determine: - program outputs - short-term program outcomes - process issues and what could be improved, including: -- Impact on residential treatment services as support providers -- Impact on the local community and other external stakeholders Not within the initial scope was a review of efficiency, effectiveness and cost effectiveness. However, based on the data collection for the objectives listed above, a basic analysis was conducted and reported on in the Discussion section of this paper. Details: Mount Lawley, WA, AUS: Western Australian Drug and Alcohol Office, 2013. 57p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 6, 2015 at: http://www.dao.health.wa.gov.au/DesktopModules/Bring2mind/DMX/Download.aspx?EntryId=951&Command=Core_Download&PortalId=0&TabId=211 Year: 2015 Country: Australia URL: http://www.dao.health.wa.gov.au/DesktopModules/Bring2mind/DMX/Download.aspx?EntryId=951&Command=Core_Download&PortalId=0&TabId=211 Shelf Number: 137205 Keywords: Alcohol AbuseDrug OffendersHomeless PersonsHousingMentally IllReentryTreatment Programs |
Author: Jannetta, Jesse Title: Transition from Jail to Community (TJC) Initiative: Phase 2 Summary Implementation Findings Summary: "TJC [Transition from Jail to Community] represents an integrated approach spanning organizational boundaries to deliver needed information, services, and case management to people released from jail. Boundary-spanning collaborative partnerships are necessary because transition from jail to the community is neither the sole responsibility of the jail nor of the community. Accordingly, effective transition strategies rely on collaboration among jail- and community-based partners and joint ownership of the problems associated with jail transition and their solutions. The TJC model includes the components necessary to carry out systems change to facilitate successful transition from jail, and it is intended be sufficiently adaptable that it can be implemented in any of the 2,860 jail jurisdictions in the United States ... despite how greatly they vary in terms of size, resources, and priorities ... One of NIC's goals for Phase 2 of the TJC Initiative was to enhance the TJC model and approach to pay greater attention to pretrial practices ... Findings from the Phase 2 process and systems change evaluation are provided in individual site-specific case study reports that focus on how TJC implementation unfolded in the specific context of each participating jurisdiction ... While the TJC Model provides a common framework for TJC work, site priorities, preexisting collaborative relationships, capacity to carry out reentry activities (and where that capacity resides), and site starting points condition how TJC proceeds. However, common themes emerged across the Phase 2 sites, as well as insight into why greater progress was realized in some places more than others. The purpose of this brief is to summarize these themes and relevant information about the sites' implementation experiences-what worked well, what was notable, and what was challenging (p. 3, 5-6, Phase 2 Summary). Seven reports comprise the Transition from Jail to Community (TJC) Initiative Phase 2 Site Reports series: Phase 2 Summary Implementation Findings by Jesse Jannetta, Janeen Buck Willison, and Emma Kurs has these sections: glossary; site implementation themes-leadership and collaboration; targeted intervention strategies; self-evaluation and sustainability; and lessons for changing systems. Implementation Success and Challenges in Ada County, Idaho by Shebani Rao, Kevin Warwick, Gary Christensen, and Colleen Owens; Implementation Success and Challenges in Franklin County, Massachusetts by Willison, Warwick, and Rao; Implementation Success and Challenges in Fresno County, California by Jannetta, Rao, Owens, and Christensen; Implementation Success and Challenges in Hennepin County, Minnesota by Willison, Warwick, and Kurs; Implementation Success and Challenges in Howard County, Maryland by Jannetta, Kurs, and Owens; and Implementation Success and Challenges in Jacksonville, Florida by Willison, Warwick, Kurs, and Christensen. Each of the above six Site Reports contain these sections ; glossary; introduction; TJC structure, leadership, and collaboration; targeted intervention strategies; self-evaluation and sustainability; and conclusion. Details: Washington, DC: Urban Institute, 2016. 7 reports Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 22, 2016 at: http://nicic.gov/library/032726 Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: http://nicic.gov/library/032726 Shelf Number: 147472 Keywords: JailsPretrial ReleaseReentryReintegration |
Author: Phillips, Idetta Title: Reentry support: Lessons learned from community-based programs Summary: Over 10,000 individuals are released from state and federal prisons each week and arrive back in our nation’s communities, resulting in more than 650,000 formerly incarcerated individuals requiring reintegration into society each year. In Illinois, over 30,000 inmates were released from prison in 2013, with about 39 percent returning to Chicago to serve a period of parole. Community-based reentry programs can play an important role in the successful re-integration of returning individuals, by providing vital services and supports as a supplement to the parole system. In 2014, the Reentry Program, one of three components of Illinois' Community Violence Prevention Program (CVPP) receiving funds through the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, operated as voluntary program for youth and young adults between the ages of 13 and 28 returning to their community after incarceration in a state correctional facility. The program provided services in 21 Chicago area communities in order to assist clients with compliance with their parole board orders and other aspects of successful community reintegration, such as educational enrollment and employment. The program performance period spanned from November 1, 2013 through August 31, 2014. Authority research staff studied the 2014 Reentry Program by collecting case management data on client demographics, service needs, and program results for a sample of 517 youth and young adults with verified incarceration in IDJJ or IDOC prior to program participation and documented program participation during the 2014 program period. Client and case manager surveys augmented this case-level data. Key findings Program clients Seventy percent of the 517 Reentry Program clients included in this study were on parole from IDOC facilities, and 30 percent were on aftercare from IDJJ. Both groups of clients were enrolled at program sites in 18 Chicago community areas and three suburban sites. More than half (59 percent) of clients lived in the community area in which they were enrolled. Most Reentry Program sites (86 percent) focused on serving either youth exiting from IDJJ or young adults exiting from IDOC, rather than serving both clients groups. Most case managers (84 percent) worked exclusively with one type of client. Two thirds of all Reentry Program clients were referred to the program by their parole officer or aftercare specialist, although IDJJ clients reported this referral source most often (82 percent). Nineteen percent of IDOC clients reported family, friends, and community groups as sources of program referrals. Reentry Program clients were overwhelming male (95 percent) and Black (83 percent). The average age of IDJJ clients was 17 years old, while IDOC clients were older (22 years old, on average). However, the most common age for both client groups was 20 years old. IDJJ clients were living most often with parents at the time of program enrollment (68 percent), while IDOC clients more often reported living with other relatives, spouses, or partners (33 percent compared to 18 percent). Most clients did not have children (82 percent). At the time of enrollment, IDJJ clients had lower prior educational attainment than IDOC clients, partially because they were younger. Fewer IDJJ clients reported completing at least one year of high school (63 percent) compared to IDOC clients (93 percent). However, at the common age of 20, thirty-one percent of IDJJ clients reported attaining no more than an eighth grade education, compared to 4 percent of IDOC clients. The most common incarceration offense type for both groups was a violent offense (30 percent). Violent offenses were defined according to the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act, which defines a violent offense as any felony in which force or threat of force was used against the victim [725 ILCS 120/et seq.]. A greater proportion of IDJJ clients were incarcerated for a property offense compared to IDOC clients (31 percent compared to 22 percent), while a greater proportion of IDOC clients were incarcerated for drugs and weapons offenses (46 percent compared to 37 percent). Program services All clients in this study completed a service plan with their case managers based on conditions of parole imposed by the Prisoner Review Board (PRB), with additional recommendations from the parole officer/aftercare specialist, case manager, and client. The Reentry Program offered 28 different services in four categories: mandated parole/aftercare conditions, social/emotional services, educational /vocational services, and other support services. Service plan requirements differed for IDJJ clients and IDOC clients. IDJJ clients were mandated or recommended most often to enroll in for GED/high school classes, substance abuse assessment, support groups to deal with negative peers, curfew monitoring, and random urinalysis. IDOC clients were mandated or recommended most often for substance abuse treatment, full time employment, GED/High school classes, job training, anger management, and other support services. Overall, about half of Reentry Program clients were linked to the services for which they were mandated or recommended during the program performance period, although the linkage rate varied by type of service. Of the 26 services mandated or recommended for both client groups, IDJJ clients were linked at a higher rate than IDOC clients for most service types (19 of the 26), most notably for substance abuse assessment, mental health services, GED/High school classes, and job seeking services. Short-term program results The Reentry Program clients in this study completed 152 (9 percent) of the 1,692 mandated or recommended services during the nine-month program period. The highest rates of completion were for obtaining short-term continuity of care assistance, such as enrolling in the supplemental nutrition assistance program (food stamps) (60 percent), or obtaining a birth certificate (67 percent) as a prerequisite for a state ID. Half of the clients linked to a term of electronic monitoring completed this parole/aftercare condition before the program ended, while the others linked to electronic monitoring were still continuing at the end of the performance period. Of the few clients mandated or recommended to enroll in college, half were able to do so before the program ended. IDOC clients completed more services than IDJJ clients. Despite the challenges of a serious criminal background, one third of those mandated or recommended for employment services were successful in obtaining full-time employment, while another 43 percent obtained part-time employment. One third successfully completed anger management services. No IDJJ or IDOC clients linked to GED/high school classes were indicated as completing their educational requirements before the program ended. Details: Chicago: Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, 2016. 79p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 2, 2016 at: http://www.icjia.state.il.us/assets/articles/Final%202014%20CVPP%20Reentry%20Report.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: http://www.icjia.state.il.us/assets/articles/Final%202014%20CVPP%20Reentry%20Report.pdf Shelf Number: 146788 Keywords: Community-Based ProgramsJuvenile OffendersJuvenile ParoleJuvenile ReentryReentry |
Author: Davis, Lois M. Title: Evaluation of North Carolina's Pathways from Prison to Postsecondary Education Program Summary: Before 2013, incarcerated individuals in North Carolina could enroll in college correspondence courses, but there was no coordinated effort to provide a path toward a postsecondary degree or credential. Furthermore, there was no coordination around reentry. The Vera Institute of Justice's Pathways from Prison to Postsecondary Education Project (Pathways) was a multistate demonstration project in three states - Michigan, New Jersey, and North Carolina - intended to create a continuum of higher education and reentry support services that begin two years prior to an individual's release from prison and continue in the community for two years postrelease, with the goal of educational progression and degree attainment. RAND and RTI International researchers conducted an independent evaluation of the North Carolina Pathways Program, examining the implementation of the in-prison and community components of the program, the experiences of Pathways students and staff, factors that facilitated or hindered their participation in the program, and lessons learned. The findings and recommendations will be of interest to other states, corrections officials, and educators interested in implementing postsecondary education programs for incarcerated adults. Notably, North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NCDPS) continues to fund components of Pathways after the demonstration project ended. Pathways affected how NCDPS approaches both higher education in prison and reentry planning. It has led to more coordination among prisons and probation and parole officers and community resources. Because of Pathways, education has become the fourth pillar of the department's reentry focus (along with housing, employment, and transportation). Details: Santa Monica, California: RAND Corporation, 2019. 112. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 22, 2019 at: https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR2957.html Year: 2019 Country: United States URL: https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR2900/RR2957/RAND_RR2957.pdf Shelf Number: 155999 Keywords: Incarcerated Adults Incarceration Prison Prison Programs Prisoners Reentry |
Author: National Reentry Resource Center Title: Self-Assessment for Employment-Focused Reentry Programs: Measuring Fidelity to the Integrated Reentry and Employment Strategies (IRES) Framework Summary: Finding employment is a critical part of successful reentry for the millions of people returning to communities after incarceration, but it's not the only part. Appropriately addressing criminogenic risk and needs as well as the soft and hard skills necessary for the workplace are also key in reducing recidivism and improving long-term job retention in this population. Employment-focused reentry programs are often uniquely positioned to administer these services. This self-assessment from the National Reentry Resource Center helps programs gauge their capacity to provide integrated reentry and employment interventions, including work readiness, to people with varying risks and needs. The tool helps reentry practitioners identify opportunities to build the capacity of their programming and services, which, in turn, can better prepare participants for employment and decrease their likelihood of returning to incarceration. The self-assessment should be used in conjunction with the Integrated Reentry and Employment Strategies: Reducing Recidivism and Promoting Job Readiness (IRES) white paper, a resource released in 2013 that helps policymakers, practitioners, and system administrators ensure resources are being used effectively to improve employment outcomes for people who have been incarcerated or are on probation or parole. Details: New York: The National Reentry Resource Center, 2019. 8p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 3, 2019 at: https://csgjusticecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Self-Assessment-for-Employment-Focused-Reentry-Programs.pdf Year: 2019 Country: United States URL: https://csgjusticecenter.org/nrrc/publications/self-assessment-for-employment-focused-reentry-programs/ Shelf Number: 156147 Keywords: Employment Jobs Parole Prisoner Reentry Probation Recidivism Reentry |
Author: Worwood, Erin B. Title: Statewide Evaluation of Utah Mental Health Courts: Phase I Summary: This report provides details on the programs, participants, eligibility criteria, and methods/outcomes used to study 43 MHCs across the United States, Australia, and Canada. It also describes the program components, target populations, and available data for the nine MHCs in Utah. Both the Utah MHCs and the studies included in this review reflect significant heterogeneity in terms of program and study components. Unfortunately, these differences limit the generalizability of findings across programs. Nevertheless, this report provides a detailed cataloguing of methods used to evaluate the impact of MHCs and can be used to inform discussions as a statewide evaluation plan is finalized. Details: Salt Lake City, Utah: University of Utah, Utah Criminal Justice Center and College of Social Work, 2015. 59p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 7, 2019 at: https://socialwork.utah.edu/_resources/documents/ucjc-reports/statewide-ut-mhc-study_part-1-report.pdf Year: 2015 Country: International URL: https://socialwork.utah.edu/research/reports/posts/statewide-mental-health-court-study/index.php Shelf Number: 156208 Keywords: Disabilities Human Rights Jails Mental Health Courts Mental Hospitals Mental Illness Prison Reentry |
Author: Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority Title: Entrepreneurship for the Formerly Incarcerated: A Process Evaluation of the Pathway to Enterprise for Returning Citizens (PERC) Program Summary: Each year, over 25,000 individuals are released from Illinois prisons and nearly half of them end up returning to prison within three years (Illinois Sentencing Policy Advisory Council, 2015; The Illinois Department of Corrections, 2018). Reentry entrepreneurship training programs have been implemented as one way to reduce recidivism and improve the economic stability of men and women returning to the community from jails and prisons. Entrepreneurship training programs were developed to help overcome barriers inherent in traditional reentry workforce development programs and services such as lack of education, work experience, qualifications, opportunities, and discrimination (The Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2016). Some programs provide the opportunity for small loans to help fund new entrepreneurs. The body of previous research is small, but there is some support that entrepreneurship programs may be a way to help improve outcomes for formerly incarcerated individuals (Johnson, Wubbenhorst, & Schroeder, 2013; Keena & Simmons, 2015; Klein & Mohan, 2017). Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) researchers conducted an evaluation of Pathway to Enterprise for Returning Citizens (PERC). PERC offers classroom training on entrepreneurship and business, mentoring, and the opportunity to obtain a loan to start a business to individuals recently released from prison and living in Chicago neighborhoods. PERC is a collaboration between the Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives Micro Finance Group (CNIMFG), ICJIA, Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC), several community-based nonprofit training organizations, and multiple private funders. The goals of PERC are to increase employment and self-sufficiency of returning citizens; decrease recidivism; and produce businesses that operate for two or more years. ICJIA researchers completed a process evaluation examining program planning and development in the first six months of the program by using multiple methods of data collection. The evaluation of the PERC program focused on individuals that applied for PERC in Winter 2017 and completed training in Spring/Summer of 2018. The research attempted to answer the following research questions about PERC: -Who were the applicants and participants of the program? -How did the program operate in its first six months? -What did the stakeholders, training staff, and participants think of the program? -To what extent did participants learn entrepreneurship skills? Details: Chicago, Illinois: Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, 2019. 80p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 28, 2019 at: http://www.icjia.state.il.us/assets/articles/Entrepreneurship%20for%20the%20Formerly%20Incarcerated%20-%20A%20Process%20Evaluation%20of%20PERC.pdf Year: 2019 Country: United States URL: http://www.icjia.state.il.us/articles/entrepreneurship-for-the-formerly-incarcerated Shelf Number: 156590 Keywords: EvaluationJailsPrisonsRecidivismReentryReturning Citizens |
Author: Saylor, William G. Title: PREP Study Links UNICOR Work Experience with Successful Post-Release Outcome Summary: Data were collected on postrelease outcomes for over 7,000 inmates released between 1983 and 1987. During the project, about 35 percent of inmates in institutions with Federal Prison Industries (UNICOR) operations were actually employed by UNICOR. Of the study sample, 57 percent had exclusive UNICOR work experience, 19 percent had a combination of UNICOR work experience and vocational training, and 24 percent had been involved in vocational or apprenticeship training. The comparison group was matched by gender; security level; and criminal, educational, and employment histories. The PREP findings indicated that inmates who worked through UNICOR or other programs demonstrated better institutional adjustment than the control group. They were less likely to have misconduct reports and, when they were cited for violations, those violations tended to be less serious. Inmates who participated in work programs showed higher levels of responsibility as measured by dependability, financial reliability, and interactions with staff and other inmates. Study and comparison offenders were equally likely to succeed in a halfway house setting, although study participants were more likely to find a job. Inmates who participated in work and vocational programs were less likely to reoffend during their first year back in the community and were earned more money than their counterparts. Details: Washington, DC: Federal Bureau of Prisons, 1992. 15p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 14, 2019 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/Digitization/150221NCJRS.pdf Year: 1992 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/App/Publications/abstract.aspx?ID=150221 Shelf Number: 156988 Keywords: Corrections Halfway House Inmates Prisoners Recidivism Reentry |
Author: Khidmat Centres Title: Sisters in Desistance: Community-Based Solutions for Muslim Women Post-Prison Summary: In 2014, we co-authored the very first report into the experiences of Muslim women in two UK prisons namely HMP/YOI New Hall and HMP Askham Grange. At the time, there was no particular reference to or visibility of Muslim women and their experiences throughout the prison system. Hence, we were uncertain as to how the report would be received by the Criminal Justice System (CJS) and the local communities from which these women came from. In some respects, this was a daring and risky venture on our part, given the sensitivities surrounding Muslim women and offending. In the Muslim community there was either no awareness that the issue existed or a refusal to acknowledge that this was even possible. At the same time, for providing agencies, Muslim women were perceived as a minority within a minority and thus not meriting attention and specialist support. From our experience, there was also a very real fear on the part of providers of unconscious bias when dealing with culturally and socially taboo areas. Perhaps this was somewhat exacerbated by the negativity surrounding the Muslim community, the spike in public Islamophobia and the lack of understanding around the disproportionately of Muslims in prisons. What was very clear from our findings was that Muslim women prisoners experienced an intersectionality of inequalities on the premise of gender, race, faith and culture over and above disadvantages in poverty, health and geography. This was something which we felt was overlooked, even by women's providers. Evidently, Muslim women did not neatly fit the traditional profile of women offenders. This was compounded by their experiences in family and community life but further reinforced by lack of culturally appropriate and tailored support within the prison establishment and beyond. The majority of women feared life beyond the prison gate and back into the community. In some respects, this was no different from other women but for Muslim women it brought into play cultural and social factors unique to their experiences. Women often spoke of an unfair community sentence in contrast to the liberal and sympathetic treatment that Muslim men are often given on release. As Muslim practitioners from that community, we understood the complex interplay between social stigma, cultural taboos, and the notion of honour. We recognised the aforementioned manifest themselves in terms of acceptance or rejection in the broader context of gender roles and expectations associated with them. This partly explained the lack of ownership and practical support from family, community and community institutions post prison release. Following the first report, we found ourselves at a crossroads of whether we could leave our findings on the desks of providers and the community in the hope that something would be done to move forward its recommendations. However, we felt this was not a realistic option. In the absence of any form of concerted effort to find solutions to community re-entry for Muslim women prisoners, we decided to develop a community led resettlement model to demonstrate what culturally informed and appropriate delivery looks like. This however required a community based organisation to take ownership and be receptive to the plight and journey of Muslim women in the CJS. Naturally, an embedded community organisation working with this client group would help to prevent women being further blamed and ostracised. Essentially this was about instigating a cultural shift in community-based practice but, at the same time, modelling a culturally competent and compatible provision which other Black Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) and mainstream providers could learn from. Bradford was our natural choice due it location, size of the Muslim community and the willingness of the Khidmat Centres' management to allow us to pilot this project. This report attempts to capture the learning which we have developed from building a community-based re-entry model for Muslim women coming back to Bradford and the surrounding areas. It brings a fresh perspective to Muslim women in the CJS as it is led by service users. We have intentionally involved Muslim women who have benefitted from the support channeled through this model in order to achieve authenticity as well as giving them an opportunity to shape re-entry back into the community. Essentially, this process has entailed empowering Muslim women to take control and define what works for them. We expect this report to trigger change for providers to better understand the plight of Muslim women whilst in prison and on release. In doing so, enable them to develop and put in place more inclusive and culturally competent support, which should involve empowering and recognising the role of community providers. We strongly suggest that without community ownership and lead, deep seated and systematic issues will remain unresolved. The delivery model outlined in this report is set out in the broader prism of BAME women with particular and specialist focus on the faith and cultural community of these women. However, the underlying principles of this approach and the lessons learned may easily be transferred to other BAME women and more so to the Muslim male prison population. Alarmingly, the Muslim prison population at present stands at 16% of the total prison population of England and Wales in comparison to 5% of the general Muslim population. Details: Bradford, England: Khidmat Centres, 2019. 40p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 25, 2019 at: http://www.khidmat.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Sisters-in-Desistance-Final-.pdf Year: 2019 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.russellwebster.com/khidmat/ Shelf Number: 157062 Keywords: Community Engagement Community-Based Solutions Desistance Female Prisoners Prison Reentry |