Harlem Parole Reentry Court: an initiative in offender reintegration

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn NSW, the parole population is seeing steady growth, and with prison numbers having increased in recent years, we can expect to see more people being discharged onto parole. What does this mean for those communities to which parolees will return, particularly those that consistently struggle with disproportionate rates of incarceration? This article examines the Harlem Parole Reentry Court, which was established in the Harlem neighbourhood of New York City following concerns about effective reintegration of a largely African American population of offenders returning to the Harlem community. The Harlem Parole Reentry Court has produced positive results, particularly in terms of reducing recidivism among its participants. Despite criticisms of the reentry model, such as the high initial cost, this article suggests that a similar reentry court in NSW could assist successful reintegration of parolees, particularly into vulnerable communities.