Lower Recidivism Rates Research Articles

Community-Engaged Research (CER) as the Avenue to Promoting Well-being and Recovery in Drug Court

Drug courts are an alternative to incarceration for individuals who have substance use disorders and have been arrested for drug-related crimes (e.g. possession of a controlled substance). The first drug court began in 1989 in Florida and it is estimated that there are over 3,000 drug courts now operating throughout the United States. This community-engaged research (CER) evaluated the St. Joseph County (Indiana) drug court by identifying who was most likely to graduate, who was most likely to recidivate, and whether drug court or probation was more effective at reducing criminal recidivism. Furthermore, although drug courts are found in many communities, research rarely describes the process used to develop and implement CER. Therefore, this article also highlights the collaborative process used in this drug court evaluation. The findings from this study suggest that the St. Joseph County (Indiana) drug court is an effective program at reducing criminal recidivism and a valuable resource for individuals who have substance use disorders, the community, and other stakeholders. Drug court participants were less likely to recidivate than probationers, and a lower recidivism rate clearly equates to many benefits to the community. The article concludes with community-based implications, such as starting recovery support groups that are welcoming to individuals who receive medication-assisted treatment (MAT), marketing drug court to racial and ethnic minorities to increase their representation in drug court, and disseminating research findings throughout the community via local news stories and public lectures.

Can Yoga Overcome Criminality? The Impact of Yoga on Recidivism in Israeli Prisons.

In recent years, yoga practices have been integrated into informal education programs of the Israel Prison Service (IPS), given rise to innovative criminological theories such as positive criminology that emphasize the development of offenders' strengths by facilitating rehabilitation and reintegration processes. The purpose of the present study was to examine the correlation between yoga practice and recidivism among released prisoners who participated in yoga programs during their incarceration in comparison with a matched control group of those who did not participate in yoga programs over a follow-up period of 5 years. To examine the effectiveness of the program, propensity-score matching was used to compile the comparison group from among all convicted prisoners who were released from the Israeli prisons. Study results indicate that yoga may impact recidivism, supported by a finding of lower recidivism rates among released prisoners who had practiced yoga during their incarceration, compared with the matched control group. However, further study is needed including randomized controlled trials (RCTs). In light of these positive results, we recommend policy makers consider introducing alternative practices such as yoga in prisons, in recognition of its contribution to the rehabilitation process through the development of personal and social strengths.

Low recidivism rates of child sex offenders in a Finnish 7-year follow-up

ABSTRACT This study examines the recidivism rates of Finnish child sex offenders convicted in 2010 (n = 361) over a follow-up period of seven years. The results indicate that while reoffending for other types of offences was common (34%), offenders had very low sexual crime recidivism rates (1%). In terms of more persistent criminal careers, less than a quarter of the offenders had both a previous criminal history and at least one subsequent offence during the follow-up period. Offenders with child sexual abuse material-related crimes reoffended more rarely than did others. Study limitations and implications for policymaking, media and rehabilitation are discussed.

Intervention to decrease leaving without treatment among intoxicated emergency department patients

ObjectiveApproximately 15% of the >4000 patients presenting each year to our emergency department (ED) with a chief complaint or discharge diagnosis related to alcohol were leaving without treatment (LWT). If they are not clinically sober at the time of departure, these patients are at risk for falls or other injury. Our goal was to create an intervention to decrease this rate of early departure. MethodsA stakeholder group identified the reasons why intoxicated patients were leaving without treatment, concluding that the primary reason patients left was there was no process in place for evaluating and caring for these patients who potentially had impaired decision-making capacity. The group created a worksheet for the triage nurse to identify and manage patients presenting with intoxication and impaired decision-making or ambulation, with protocols to keep the patient in a supervised area. We performed a before and after analysis, evaluating 12 months before and 12 months after the protocol was initiated, with the primary outcome being the rate of intoxicated patients who left without treatment. We also measured the recidivism rate (the rate of return to the ED within 24 h after departure) and the ED length of stay (LOS). ResultsAfter the intervention was initiated, the percentage of intoxicated patients who left without treatment decreased from 15.0% to 7.4% LWT (p < 0.001). Among patients who stayed until discharge during the intervention period, the 24-hour recidivism was 9.4%, compared to 22.6% for those who left without treatment (p < 0.001). This difference in recidivism rates for each group was the same before and after the intervention, but fewer patients left without treatment after. For those patients with alcohol-related visits, the ED LOS was statistically significantly longer in the intervention phase, by a mean of 42 min for all patients (p < 0.001), as well as by a mean of 24 min for those who stayed to be dispositioned (p = 0.031). ConclusionProviding a standardized process for caring for acutely intoxicated patients leads to fewer patients leaving the ED before discharge. Patients who stay to the completion of treatment have a lower recidivism rate within 24 h after leaving than those in the leaving without treatment category.

Social media governance: can social media companies motivate voluntary rule following behavior among their users?

The purpose of these studies is to examine whether the procedural justice of a social media platform enforcement system for content moderation shapes offenders' post-message takedown recidivism rates. Users whose posts have been removed from the platform (taken down) for rule violations evaluate the justice of the platform enforcement procedure. The impact of those evaluations upon subsequent rule violations is measured. In addition, in study 2, users are randomly assigned to receive a message emphasizing the procedural justice of platform procedures and the impact of that message upon subsequent rule violations is assessed. In both studies, users who indicate that the procedures involved in the removal of their post have been fair are less likely to post new violating content in the future. In addition, those users who receive a message emphasizing the procedural justice of the platform’s mechanisms of enforcement are less likely to post new violating content in the future in comparison to those users randomly chosen to be no-message controls. Social media platforms are under government and public pressure to regulate the content of the posts that appear on their sites. One enforcement strategy that has been found to be effective in legal settings is to encourage self-regulation through procedural-justice-based approaches to rule enforcement. This paper tests the viability of extending these approaches to social media platforms. Results of both studies suggest that a strategy of encouraging self-regulation by the use of procedures that users rate as being just can successfully lower recidivism rates in a social media setting.

A Cross-Comparison Study of Reentry Intervention and Support for Engagement: Findings on Youth With Disabilities

This article presents the findings of a 2-year-long quasi-experimental study of post-release engagement and recidivism for youth with disabilities. The effects of specialized Reentry Intervention and Support for Engagement (RISE) for youth with disabilities were compared with two other groups: (a) youth with disabilities who received traditional special education services, and (b) youth without disabilities who received traditional general education services in a juvenile correctional facility. Regardless of group, participants who were engaged in the community 30 days post-release were more likely to be engaged at 120 days and less likely to recidivate than nonengaged participants. However, compared with the two other groups, participants who received RISE services were more likely to be engaged in the community at 120 days post-release and have significantly lower rates of recidivism. We conclude our study by examining limitations, suggestions, implications for practice and policy, and future research.

1036 Liver Transplant Referral Patterns for Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis With Recent Alcohol Use

INTRODUCTION: Liver transplant is the most effective treatment to optimize survivorship in severe alcoholic hepatitis which has a six month mortality rate of 70%. In recent years, multi-center data demonstrated a drastic mortality benefit of early liver transplant and questions the six month alcohol sobriety requirement at some transplant centers. The purpose of this study is to determine whether or not community gastroenterology (GI) providers are aware of the survival benefits of early liver transplant in severe alcoholic hepatitis and to examine what factors impact their decision to refer. METHODS: This study was designed as a cross sectional survey targeting GI providers and fellows within the Washington, DC area. The surveys were distributed both in paper and electronic form via email and local academic meetings. Data was analyzed using Chi-Squared analysis and two sample T-test to detect statistically significant differences between groups. RESULTS: Forty-five surveys were completed by GI physicians (34 attendings, 11 fellows). There was a wide range in the number of years since completion of academic training (range = 0-45 years, average = 14 years). Overall, 40% (17/42) of all participants stated that an active drinking status made them less likely to refer for transplant. Participants who completed training &gt;10 years ago overestimated the rate of alcohol recidivism compared to their counterparts (P = 0.005); however, there was no statistically significant difference in their likelihood to refer active alcohol users for transplant. Although not statistically significant, participants who were more likely to refer active drinkers for transplant completed their last academic training more recently than their counterparts (10 vs 17 years ago, P = 0.14). Factors associated with a higher tendency to refer active users for liver transplant included working for a liver transplant center (P = 0.007) and awareness that peak mortality occurs within two months of last drink (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Despite the survival benefits of early liver transplant in severe alcoholic hepatitis, 40% of gastroenterologists surveyed state they are less likely to refer active alcohol users for liver transplant. Education regarding low recidivism rates and drastic benefits in survival outcomes even in patients with less than six months of alcohol sobriety should be disseminated to community gastroenterologists, especially at non-transplant centers.

The Effect of Horticultural Community Service Programs on Recidivism

The average cost of housing a single inmate in the United States is roughly $31,286 per year, bringing the total average cost states spend on corrections to more than $50 billion per year. Statistics show 1 in every 34 adults in the United States is under some form of correctional supervision; and after 3 years, more than 4 in 10 prisoners return to custody. The purpose of this study was to determine the availability of opportunities for horticultural community service and whether there were differences in incidences of recurrences of offenses/recidivism of offenders completing community service in horticultural vs. nonhorticultural settings. Data were collected through obtaining offender profile probation revocation reports, agency records, and community service supervision reports for one county in Texas. The sample included both violent and nonviolent and misdemeanor and felony offenders. Offenders who completed their community service in horticultural or nonhorticultural outdoor environments showed lower rates of recidivism compared with offenders who completed their community service in nonhorticultural indoor environments and those who had no community service. Demographic comparisons found no difference in incidence of recidivism in comparisons of offenders based on gender, age, and the environment in which community service was served. In addition, no difference was shown in incidence of recidivism in comparisons based on offenders with misdemeanor vs. felony charges. The results and information gathered support the continued notion that horticultural activities can play an important role in influencing an offender’s successful reentry into society.

The impact of mental health court: A Sacramento case study.

Mental health courts (MHCs) use a collaborative justice approach to provide a therapeutic alternative to the traditional justice process for defendants with mental illnesses directly relevant to their alleged criminal offenses. MHCs have proliferated in recent years, in light of early research reports documenting their successes. The aim of this paper is to provide further evaluation of the effects of MHCs by evaluating the impact of the Sacramento County MHC in California. We analyzed quantitative data and conducted interviews with stakeholders and MHC participants to understand how the MHC influenced individual participants' recidivism rates, mental health, and quality of life. Results from the quantitative data analysis indicate that defendants had a lower rate of recidivism after the MHC program than before it. Moreover, graduates were less likely to be rearrested and rehospitalized than non-graduates. Qualitative analyses revealed several core themes regarding participants' views on facilitators and barriers related to the MHC's success. These findings provide further insights into the effectiveness of MHCs.

Collaborative Family Work in Youth Justice

ABSTRACT A number of studies have found that working with family groups can be successful in improving outcomes for young people and their families. This article reports on a study in New South Wales in which juvenile justice staff offered collaborative family work interventions to young people as part of the routine offerings of a juvenile justice service. The primary objective of this study was to examine the extent to which young people who completed the family work had lower recidivism rates compared to three control groups. The methods included a comparison of recidivism rates between young people who completed the intervention, those who failed to complete, those who declined, and a matched sample of young people who were not offered the intervention. The results of the study indicated that many young people and their families were agreeable to be involved in the intervention and the completion rates were high, particularly if the work was undertaken in the family home. The young people who completed the intervention also had lower recidivism rates than young people in each of the control groups. IMPLICATIONS Collaborative family work can be offered successfully by juvenile justice services to young offenders and their families. Collaborative family work can reduce recidivism rates for those who complete the intervention. It is preferable to conduct the work in the family home where completion rates are likely to be higher.

Toward a Classification of Juvenile Offenders: Subgroups of Serious Juvenile Offenders and Severity of Recidivism

The aim of this study was to identify subgroups of serious juvenile offenders on the basis of their risk profiles, using a data-driven approach. The sample consists of 1,147 of the top 5% most serious juvenile offenders in the Netherlands. A part of the sample, 728 juvenile offenders who had been released from the institution for at least 2 years, was included in analyses on recidivism and the prediction of recidivism. Six subgroups of serious juvenile offenders were identified with cluster analysis on the basis of their scores on 70 static and dynamic risk factors: Cluster 1, antisocial identity; Cluster 2, frequent offenders; Cluster 3, flat profile; Cluster 4, sexual problems and weak social identity; Cluster 5, sexual problems; and Cluster 6, problematic family background. Clusters 4 and 5 are the most serious offenders before treatment, committing mainly sex offences. However, they have significantly lower rates of recidivism than the other four groups. For each of the six clusters, a unique set of risk factors was found to predict severity of recidivism. The results suggest that intervention should aim at different risk factors for each subgroup.

The sexist algorithm.

Algorithmic risk assessment tools are informed by scientific research concerning which factors are predictive of recidivism and thus support the evidence-based practice movement in criminal justice. Automated assessments of individualized risk (low, medium, high) permit officials to make more effective management decisions. Computer-generated algorithms appear to be objective and neutral. But are these algorithms actually fair? The focus herein is on gender equity. Studies confirm that women typically have far lower recidivism rates than men. This differential raises the question of how well algorithmic outcomes fare in terms of predictive parity by gender. This essay reports original research using a large dataset of offenders who were scored on the popular risk assessment tool COMPAS. Findings indicate that COMPAS performs reasonably well at discriminating between recidivists and non-recidivists for men and women. Nonetheless, COMPAS algorithmic outcomes systemically overclassify women in higher risk groupings. Multiple measures of algorithmic equity and predictive accuracy are provided to support the conclusion that this algorithm is sexist.

Evaluation of a cognitive-behavioral intervention for high- and medium-risk probationers.

Reducing recidivism is a central goal of treatment programs for offenders. Preliminary evidence suggests that cognitive-behavioral group interventions based on the National Institute of Corrections curriculum (Bush, Glick, & Taymans, 1997) may be effective in reducing recidivism rates among adult probationers. We evaluated the effectiveness of a program based on this curriculum among 167 high- and medium-risk probationers assigned to this program and a comparison group of 120 high- and medium-risk probationers matched on age and number of prior criminal charges. Improvements over prior studies included use of survival analytic methods and propensity score matching, a longer follow-up interval, and examination of treatment effectiveness within ethnic groups. Relative to the comparison group, treatment group probationers were more likely to complete probation satisfactorily and survive longer before rearrest. Moreover, supplementary analyses suggested that ethnicity was associated with differences in intervention effectiveness. Treatment was predictive of lower recidivism rates among European Americans and African Americans but was less effective among Latino American probationers.

Restoring Rights, Restoring Trust: Evidence that Reversing Felon Disenfranchisement Penalties Increases Both Trust and Cooperation with Government

More than six million American citizens were denied the right to vote in the 2016 Presidential Election because they had been convicted of a felony crime. Beyond the effects of these laws on voter turnout and electoral outcomes, how do felony disenfranchisement laws affect the citizens who are being disenfranchised? This study estimates the effects of restoring voting rights on the level of political trust among citizens who were formerly disenfranchised. Two field experiments are embedded within panel surveys conducted before and after statewide elections in Ohio and Virginia. The survey population is composed of American citizens with a felony conviction who were once disenfranchised, but now are either eligible to vote, or are eligible to have their voting rights restored. Both experiments leverage misinformation about voting rights policies as an opportunity to estimate how people respond when they receive new information about more lenient voting rights restoration policies. Experimental treatments randomly increase awareness about restored voting rights, along with varying encouragements and assistance with registration and voting. In both experiments, treated subjects report stronger trust in government and the criminal justice system, perceive government as being more fair and representative, and report an increased willingness to cooperate with law enforcement. The results suggest that restoring voting rights to disenfranchised citizens helps those citizens develop the types of pro-democratic attitudes commonly associated with successful post-prison re-entry, reduced tendencies to commit crime, and lower rates of recidivism.

Reducing Violence Risk? Some Positive Recidivism Outcomes for Canadian Treated High-Risk Offenders

In pursuit of “what works” in violent offending behavior programs, there remain insufficient evaluations of program outcomes. Three hundred forty-five offenders from the Canadian Violence Prevention Program (VPP) were compared after an average 3-year follow-up with 338 non-VPP participants. Outcomes measured were new convictions for violent, sexual, or general offenses. Intent-to-treat design was used. Subsequently, participants who completed or did not complete the program were compared with the non-VPP group. Further analyses considered Indigenous and non-Indigenous subgroups. Overall, lower recidivism rates were associated with VPP completion, both in the complete sample and ethnic subgroups. However, the main finding of significantly lower likelihood of violent recidivism was found only for the Indigenous offenders, while significantly lower likelihood of general (nonviolent) recidivism was specific to non-Indigenous offenders. Results are interpreted cautiously in relation to program effectiveness given the quasi-experimental design and the important implications of outcome studies for correctional services.

Reducing Crime Among Youth at Risk for Gang Involvement

Research SummaryNo gang prevention or intervention programs meet the standards for effectiveness promulgated by Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development. This randomized controlled trial of a well‐known program—Functional Family Therapy—that was modified to address the needs of gang‐involved adolescents yields two main findings. First, youth at high risk for gang membership and their families engaged with and successfully completed the program at the same level as low‐gang‐risk youth. Second, the effectiveness results varied by gang‐risk status. For youth at high risk for gang membership, the treatment group had significantly lower recidivism rates at the 18‐month follow‐up as compared with a “treatment as usual” control group. For youth at low risk for gang membership, however, no consistent differences were found between the treated and control groups.Policy ImplicationsModifying and extending evidence‐based delinquency programs to gang‐involved youth seems to be a reasonable strategy for developing a wider array of effective programs to respond to the challenge of street gangs. The differential findings by gang‐risk status suggests that the juvenile justice system should expand the use of evidence‐based community programs to higher risk youth, including those identified as being “at risk” because of their gang involvement.

Effects of Washington State’s alcohol ignition interlock laws on DUI recidivism: An update

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the effects of changes to Washington State’s alcohol ignition interlock laws: moving issuance of interlock orders from the courts to the driver licensing department (July 2003); extending the interlock order requirement to all persons convicted of driving under the influence (DUI; June 2004); allowing an interlock in lieu of an administrative driver’s license suspension (January 2009); and requiring proof of interlock installation to reinstate the driver’s license (January 2011).Method: Trends in conviction types, interlock installation rates, and 2-year cumulative recidivism rates were examined for first-time and repeat offenders with convictions stemming from DUI arrests during 1999–2012. Autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models examined the association between law changes and installation rates, law changes and recidivism rates, and installation rates and recidivism rates.Results: During the study period, there was a large increase in the proportion of first-time DUI arrests reduced to alcohol-related negligent/reckless driving convictions, offenses not requiring interlock orders. The interlock installation rate increased substantially and the recidivism rate declined substantially among both first and repeat offenders. Based on the ARIMA models for first offenders, the 2004 and 2009 law changes were associated with increased interlock installation rates and lower recidivism rates. For first offenders arrested during the last quarter of 2012, the model estimates a 26% reduction in the recidivism rate (from an expected 7.7% without the 4 laws to 5.6%). A 1 percentage point increase in the interlock installation rate was associated with a 0.06 percentage point decline in the recidivism rate among first offenders. If the association carried forward and if the installation rate had been 100% rather than 38% in the last quarter of 2012, the 2-year recidivism rate would have been reduced from 5.6 to 2%. Among repeat offenders, the 2003 and 2009 law changes were associated with increased interlock installation rates, and the 2009 law change was associated with a nonsignificant decline in recidivism.Conclusions: In Washington, rates of interlock installations increased as interlock laws were strengthened, and the increase was associated with reductions in recidivism among first DUI offenders. Washington’s experience suggests that states can reduce DUI recidivism by requiring interlock orders for all offenders, allowing offenders to install interlocks in lieu of an administrative driver’s license suspension, and closing statutory loopholes that allow plea reductions to convictions without interlock orders.

Reconsidering risk assessment with insanity acquittees.

States continue to rely on conditional release (CR) as an effective and cost-effective way to manage individuals found not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI). Research has demonstrated that insanity acquittees returning to the community have low recidivism rates and moderately low revocation rates. This study followed 238 individuals found NGRI in Oregon who were evaluated with the Historical, Clinical, Risk-20 (HCR-20; Webster, Douglas, Eaves, & Hart, 1997) and placed in the community on CR. The majority of individuals on CR (n = 157, 66%) maintained their release throughout the entire follow-up period (between 4 and 9 years), but 81 (33.6%) had their release revoked during the follow up. In considering the efficacy of violence risk assessment in predicting CR outcome with NGRI acquittees, the HCR-20 was mostly unrelated to CR outcome. Only two items from the HCR-20, both from the Risk Management scale (exposure to destabilizers and stress) predicted revocation, but not imminence to CR revocation. This paper reconsiders how risk assessments are utilized with insanity acquittees and provides a roadmap for improving risk assessments with this unique population by relying on risk assessment results to plan effective interventions to reduce the likelihood of revocation and violence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Impact of early intervention for youth with problematic sexual behaviors and their caregivers

ABSTRACTTargeting broad implementation of early intervention services has a high potential for impact given the prevalence of child sexual abuse committed by youth and the low recidivism rate following effective interventions. This multisite quasi-experimental study examined the outcomes for 320 youth ages 10–14 years and their caregivers who participated in community-based problematic sexual behavior – cognitive behavior therapy (PSB-CBT). Significant reductions in PSB with a large effect size (e.g. t(126) = 11.69, p < .001, d = 2.08) were found. No site differences were found, despite racial and regional diversity. Nonsexual behaviour problems, emotional problems, and trauma symptoms also significantly improved. Positive outcomes extended to caregivers. Recommended next steps include rigorous strategies for examining the impact of widespread implementation of evidence-based early intervention programmes on the prevention of sexual abuse, complemented with thoughtful efforts to develop and implement policies and procedures that improve the safety and well-being of all children in the community.

'The Strings in the Books Ain't Pulled and Persuaded': How the Use of Improper Statistics and Unverified Data Corrupts the Judicial Process in Sex Offender Cases

An examination of a range of judicial decisions involving sexual offender determinations reveals that, frequently, courts rely improperly on inaccurate and under-developed statistics as well as unverified and outdated information. This reliance, too often, underlies rulings that subject the sex offender to significant sanctions and loss of liberty. Additionally, the continuation of the testimonial script that all sex offenders are high recidivists, dangerous, compulsive and untreatable, contributes to the anti-therapeutic effect of shaming and humiliation. This results in isolation, seclusion, lack of dignity; also, it further trivializes the judicial process, and violates the tenants of therapeutic jurisprudence. Despite the “frightening and high” indoctrination, a handful of recent court decisions have begun to evaluate and apply relevant research that cites overall low recidivism rates and highlights the failures and harms of registration laws. These rogue courts and published court decisions have effectively revived the stagnant debate on the constitutionality of sexual offender containment laws. It is only through continued judicial recognition of improper reliance on controversial, outdated and incorrect information, that the constitutional wrongs of sex offender legislation can finally be rectified.