Reductions In Recidivism Research Articles

The Impact of Entrepreneurial Prison Training on Reducing Recidivism

Approximately 2.3 million Americans were in prison in 2016, costing the US $80 billion a year (English, 2016). 36% of former prisoners are re-incarcerated within three years of release, leading to a cycle of social and economic challenges (Durose, Cooper & Snyder, 2014). As evidenced by the many organizations seeking to reduce recidivism, helping those in prison to become productive members of society represents one of the “Grand Challenges” of our day (Davis et al., 2014; George et al., 2016). In this paper, we seek to be the first to causally identify the impact of entrepreneurship training on recidivism. To answer this question, we have obtained a unique data set that contains all inmates from 2009 to 2016 that were accepted into a leading prison entrepreneurial training program in the US, including those that did not receive training due to parole or medical reasons. This enables a direct comparison of trained inmates against a counterfactual of similar others due to the quasi-random allocation of the non-trained to reasons unrelated to motivation or ability to receive training. Given the significant challenges facing society due to Mass Incarceration, understanding whether these types of programs cause reductions in recidivism has the potential to shape policy while increasing the rate of entrepreneurial entry. Additionally, by uncovering more about the impact of training on the incarcerated, we highlight the potential for entrepreneurship to be used to aid in wellbeing and development among disadvantaged populations. We aim to provide a novel example of the way that entrepreneurship can be used as a lever to address Grand Challenges of our day.

Reducing recidivism and encouraging desistance: a social entrepreneurial approach

PurposeThis paper, which is both case study and conceptual in nature, presents a relative cost-benefit model to explain why people engage in criminal activity. It then uses the model to motivate a discussion of the major policy approaches to recidivism reduction and desistance, or decreasing the frequency and severity of criminal activity, a more nuanced measure of harm reduction than the binary concept of recidivism typically used to evaluate program success. Several private programs have successfully reduced recidivism and improved measures of desistance but remain applicable only to those who self-select into them. Changed policies and incentives, however, could stimulate social entrepreneurs to search for programs applicable to additional segments of the prison population.Design/methodology/approachThis paper describes case studies informed by economic theories of crime and incentive alignment. Most approaches to recidivism reduction/desistance have failed, but several programs, including the DOE Fund and PEP, have proven extremely effective: the first by employing former convicts in starter jobs and the latter by teaching inmates about entrepreneurship and general business skills and mentoring them after release.FindingsSuccessful cases cannot simply be scaled up because inmates self-select into the programs. Instead, policymakers should encourage further competition and innovation in the field by paying NGOs each week they manage to keep the formerly imprisoned persons in their charge alive and out of the criminal justice system.Research limitations/implicationsCase study and theoretical. Not yet tried in the real world.Practical implicationsLower recidivism, more desistance for the same budget.Social implicationsHumans will be better treated than currently.Originality/valueInstead of offering a specific recidivism reduction panacea, this paper suggests that incentive alignment and competition for funding will encourage nonprofit NGOs to discover which programs work best for different types of inmates.

Criminal Justice Diversion and the Importance of Program Retention

The United States has among the highest recidivism rates globally, with at least 1 in 4 rearrested within the same year of their initial charge. Many of these individuals are significantly impacted by poverty, mental illness, and substance use disorders. Recidivism reduction has become a significant focus of criminal justice reform and is gaining attention nationwide. Current scholarly literature suggests evidence-based reentry policies and programs can improve individual-level outcomes. This paper introduces the concept of diversion programming and measures how one diversion program impacted recidivism rates in a mid-sized metropolitan area of the US. Researchers examined one year's worth of data from 757 individuals released from the local county jail (January 2021 - December 2021) and calculated the average one-year recidivism rate comparing that of program participants to those of the larger community. Findings revealed that only 3.70% of those who completed this specific diversion program were rearrested within a year after their completion date. In comparison, members of the local community, who were not part of the program, were rearrested at a rate of 28.4%. Moreover, when clients were not retained in the program, recidivism rates were significantly higher at 31.22%. The authors suggest justice navigation-based diversion programs can effectively reduce recidivism if, and when, those programs ensure retention. This study can be a resource for future researchers, stakeholders, policymakers, and practitioners to support diversionary programming to reduce recidivism.

Do Victim Impact Panels Have Sustained Effects on DUI Recidivism?

This study examines whether Victim Impact Panels reduce DUI recidivism 5 to 8 years postsentence. Original 2-year data on 410 DUI offenders who attended a Victim Impact Panel and 373 DUI offenders from the same court system who did not attend a Victim Impact Panel indicated slight recidivism reduction effects. Logistic regression results at the 5-year period reveal that not attending a Victim Impact panel increases the odds of another DUI by a factor of 1.5 with an upper 95% confidence odds level of 2.2. At the 8-year mark, non-VIP participants were 1.8 times more likely to record another DUI with an upper 95% confidence odds level of 2.6. Offenders with a prior DUI who attended a Victim Impact Panel had significantly lower recidivism rates after 8 years relative to non-attendees. Prior research suggested that males in the 26–35-year age group benefitted more from Victim Impact Panel participation. These data indicate that the effects of age are relatively uniform across male age groups. Overall, these recidivism results indicate that the emotional messages communicated by victims to DUI offenders might carry sustained effects.

Visitation patterns and post-release offending: Exploring variations in the timing, rate, and consistency of prison visits

PurposePrior research and theory suggest that receiving visits in prison can reduce recidivism. However, recent scholarship shows that there is variability in whether, how often, and when individuals are visited while incarcerated which may affect post-release outcomes. This study therefore investigates how the frequency and timing of prison visits relate to post-release offending among individuals incarcerated in the Netherlands. MethodData were drawn from the Dutch Prison Visitation Study, which includes detailed measures of visitation, recidivism, and several covariates. Group-based trajectory models were employed to identify visitation patterns. Then, logistic regression models were used to estimate the effects of these trajectories on the likelihood of reconviction. ResultsThe results demonstrate that consistent, frequent visitation and visits near release are associated with reductions in reconvictions, especially in the first 6 months after release. No significant associations were found between individuals who only sporadically receive visits or experience a decrease in visits in the months before release on recidivism when compared to non-visited individuals. ConclusionsThese findings suggest that some visits (such as frequent, consistent visits) may be beneficial for reducing recidivism in the short-term. More research is needed to understand how and why these visits contribute to reductions in recidivism.

Perceived Impact of Vocational Skills Acquisition On Reformation and Reduction of Recidivism by Ex-Convicts of Gombe Central Correctional Centre

Reformation of prison inmates is one of the most utmost functions of the Nigerian Correctional Service. The main focus of this study was to assess the perceived impact of vocational skills acquisition on reformation and reduction of recidivism by ex-convicts of Gombe Central Correctional Center, Nigeria. The study used 30 ex-convicts who were jailed between six months and eight years. The instrument used for data collection was structured questionnaire which was validated by specialized in measurement and evaluation, and reliability test conducted in Faculty of Education, University of Maiduguri. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, mean and standard deviation. The findings revealed that most of the ex-convicts were male, with informal education and age range of between 21 and 40 years. The respondents engaged more in carpentry (37%) and Welding (33%). The vocational skills acquired by inmates had great and positive impact on their reformation. The study therefore recommends that: there is need for the Nigeria Correctional Service authorities to introduce more vocational skills acquisition programmes in Gombe Central Correctional Centre; Collaborative provision should be made between the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) and other agencies as well as other Vocational and Technical Education (VTE) centres towards promotion of rehabilitation of prison inmates through vocational skills acquisition programme.

Recidivism of Prisoners in Bangladesh: Trends and Causes

, A common belief is expressed that imposing sanction on the criminal offenders is the only procedure to restrain crimes in a society. Many a times the offenders are convicted after committing an offence and after a certain period of time they are released. A large number among them again commit crimes; are rearrested, and resentenced. The preeminent objective of study is to explore the patterns and trends of recidivism and also to identify the causes of recidivism among prisoners. The study finds that deficits in education, employment, and housing as well as the lack of treatment programs pose significant barriers to the successful reentry of inmates released from prison. Moreover, outdated laws and procedures and long term justice system process are the main factors of recidivism in Bangladesh. There have been used differential association theory, classical school thought of criminology to explain the patterns, trend and causes and inoculation theory as prevention or reduction of recidivism of prisoners. This study concludes with a discussion that offers suggestions for future research.

Implementation Potential of Moral Reconation Therapy for Criminal Recidivism in Mental Health Residential Programs.

Criminal recidivism is common among patients in mental health residential treatment programs. Moral reconation therapy (MRT) has empirical support for reducing criminal recidivism by modifying antisocial cognitions and behaviors; however, its implementation potential in noncorrectional settings has been rarely studied. This potential was examined in a three-site effectiveness-implementation trial of MRT for justice-involved veterans receiving residential mental health treatment in the U.S. Veterans Health Administration. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 36 veterans who received MRT and 13 residential program staff who were involved in its implementation during the trial. Interviews were guided by the RE-AIM (reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance) framework and a focus on patient engagement and context. Content analysis was used to identify facilitators of and barriers to MRT implementation in residential mental health treatment. Participants viewed MRT as unique and complementary to usual residential care, with benefits beyond recidivism reduction. However, time intensity of the MRT curriculum, challenges in adapting its content and format, and long-term costs of maintaining MRT were viewed as barriers to implementation. To facilitate implementation, participants suggested streamlining the MRT curriculum, adding motivational components, and establishing partnerships in- and outside the health care system. The findings suggest strategies and modifications to MRT, which, if shown to be effective, may facilitate its wider implementation in mental health residential treatment programs.

Effectiveness of Correctional Education System in Georgia State Prisons: Labeling Theory as Sociological Approach

The overall purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of correctional education programs in America generally, and in the state of Georgia, specifically, and its role to decrease post-release prisoners’ recidivism. In addition, relying on labeling theory, this study aims to explore how the understanding of this theory could help reduce the stigma toward the educated ex-prisoners, who received educational programs while in prison. The basic design of this study was meta-analysis method. The researcher conducted a comprehensive literature search for published and unpublished studies released between 1980 and 2011. A correlation between recidivism reduction and participation in correctional education programs. The correctional education programs can help ex-prisoners start their lives after release; also, offenders who participated in education programs while incarcerated showed lower rates of recidivism, and they get a higher salary than other uneducated ex-prisoners.

Did They Move on? An Outcome Evaluation of the Gender-Responsive Program, Girls...Moving On

The current study is an outcome evaluation of the gender-responsive program, Girls...Moving On (GMO). Outcomes for treatment ( n = 135) and control group ( n = 135) participants reflected mixed findings, with no significant reductions in recidivism, which may have been due to problems with implementation. Nevertheless, girls who completed the program had significantly larger reductions in risk scores and increases in strength scores compare to non-completers, but little to no differences in recidivism. Additionally, GMO completers showed improvements in self-efficacy scores. Several implications and considerations regarding the outcomes are discussed to guide future gender-responsive programs for system-impacted girls.

Effects Of Rehabilitation Counselling and Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy on the Reduction of Recidivism Among Prison Inmates in Correctional Centre of Ebonyi State

Effects Of Rehabilitation Counselling and Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy on the Reduction of Recidivism Among Prison Inmates in Correctional Centre of Ebonyi State

The impact of Juvenile Drug Treatment Courts (JDTC) implementing Federal Evidence-Based Guidelines on recidivism and substance use: multisite Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) and Regression Discontinuity (RDD) Designs

BackgroundJuvenile drug treatment courts (JDTC) have struggled to define themselves since their inception in 1995. Early courts followed a format similar to adult drug courts, but these did not address the unique needs of juveniles, which led to the creation of 16 Strategies by a consensus panel of practitioners and researchers. But, like the first JDTCs, research with courts following these strategies failed to provide convincing evidence that this “model” was associated with significant reductions in recidivism or drug use. More recently, a new set of evidence-based guidelines were developed through meta-analyses commissioned by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP, 2016).MethodOJJDP provided funding for a rigorous multi-site evaluation of the guidelines. This study protocol paper for the Juvenile Drug Treatment Court (JDTC) Guidelines Cross-Site Evaluation presents research designs for the comparison of youth outcomes from 10 JDTCs compared with 10 Traditional Juvenile Courts (TJCs) in the same jurisdictions. Two sites opted into a randomized controlled trial (RCT) and eight sites chose to follow a regression discontinuity design (RDD). Youth data are captured at baseline, and at 6- and 12-month follow-ups using an interview comprised of several standardized assessments. The youths’ official records also are abstracted for recidivism and substance use information. The degree to which the evidence-based guidelines are implemented at each site is assessed via an in-depth court self-assessment collected at baseline and again 2 years later and via structured site visits conducted once during implementation.DiscussionAs a field-based trial, using both RCT and RDD designs, findings will provide important, policy-relevant information regarding the implementation of the OJJDP evidence-based guidelines, including the degree to which JDTCs adopted and/or modified these practices, their relative impact on recidivism and substance use, as well as the degree to which JDTCs differ from TJCs. Specific inferences may be drawn about whether following or not following specific guidelines differentially impact youth outcomes, yielding recommendations about the translation of this information from research-to-practice for potentiating the broader adoption of these guidelines by JDTCs nationwide.Clinical trials registrationThis was not an NIH supported trial. The funder, OJJDP/NIJ, instead required publishing the design with even more information at https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/juvenile-drug-treatment-court-jdtc-guidelines-cross-site-evaluation.

Community Resilience during the COVID 19 Pandemic: Experiences of Community-Based Violence Prevention and Recidivism Reduction Program Administrators.

Community-based agencies play a notable role in local violence prevention and reentry services in the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic and governmental responses to contain its spread fundamentally transformed the day-to-day lives of most individuals and the workplace. This study examined the challenges experienced and adaptations employed by community-based organizations as they navigated shelter-in-place orders and other workplace and community restrictions. Between July and September of 2020, researchers completed 16 semi-structured interviews with agency administrators of community-based organizations serving at-risk youth or formerly incarcerated persons operating in a large Midwestern city. The findings highlight several challenges faced by agency administrators as they attempted to maintain services to their clients, including having to move from largely in-person service modalities to methods of contact and communication that embraced social distancing and virtual interaction. They also actively responded to the health safety needs of their staff, clients, and community by instituting new safety protocols, like staff and client COVID-19 testing, handing out personal protection equipment and supplies, and educating community members. The findings demonstrate a high degree of community mobilization and resilience in light of a global crisis.

Treatment Combinations: The Joint Effects of Multiple Evidence-Based Interventions on Recidivism Reduction

Evidence-based interventions have been implemented within penal institutions to reduce the propensity of postrelease reoffending across states. Traditional program evaluations explore these interventions and demonstrate treatment effects most often for a single specific intervention. Although this process supports the doctrine of evidence-based research, little is known of the joint effects of multiple program assignments. The current study examines the treatment effects of sequence combinations of institutional programs on recidivism outcomes. Results demonstrate that correctional clients experienced incremental improvements when receiving more than two interventions compared with those who participated in a standalone intervention. Those who participated in three types of treatment combinations consisting of basic skills, vocational training, and cognitive behavioral treatment were more likely to reduce postrelease reconvictions.

The effects of judicial supervision on recidivism of offenders in Australia and New Zealand: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This meta-analysis compares recidivism reduction in problem-solving courts employing judicial supervision in Australia and New Zealand to traditional processes. Using a four-phased search strategy, 16 studies totalling a treatment sample of 6588 individuals and 32,147 comparison participants were identified from 7161 unique records. Meta-analyses indicate that the problem-solving courts significantly reduced both the odds and incidences of recidivism compared with standard justice processes but that the heterogeneity observed within the latter analysis plus reliance on weak methodologies limits the strength of these conclusions. Studies at risk of bias may have had an undue influence on the odds of recidivism analysis. Additionally, the benefits of treatment on the incidence of recidivism are closely linked to the overlap of measurement and treatment periods. The findings suggest a positive impact from judicial supervision but further rigorous research is needed that closely matches experimental samples, strictly measures participants post-intervention and meticulously reports pertinent information.

A public health approach for addressing recidivism and addiction using European concepts in Alaska

Abstract Problem Criminal activity attributed to substance misuse is a tremendous challenge to public health and public safety. Over 80% of Alaska's incarcerated population has an addiction disorder. These individuals are 129 times more likely to die of a drug overdose within two weeks after reentry. Nearly 83% will likely be rearrested. This complex problem has a costly impact. In 2017, 25,450 Alaskans were victims of crimes directly attributed to substance misuse for a total cost of over $2.3 billion. Description The Alaska Recidivism Reduction and Recovery Project is a comprehensive intervention addressing the primary risk factors of ongoing criminal activity and substance misuse within an innovative therapeutic campus model and a mobile health platform. The intervention uses a conceptual framework derived from the European Union's Triple-R Model and the Norway Model of Restorative Justice. Living on a therapeutic campus for an average of 6-18 months, formerly incarcerated adults engage in a suite of services designed to transform criminogenic needs. Services also employ an innovative mobile health platform using Oracle's Intelligent Advisor technology. The project aims to increase access to critical community care, improve participants' quality of life, and improve public health and safety by reducing crime related to substance misuse. Results Preliminary results suggest the intervention may significantly improve access to care upon reentry while creating meaningful changes in criminogenic needs. Early indications also suggest substantial cost savings may be achieved. For every 80 successful participants in Alaska, data suggests cost savings and net economic benefits may reach $20 million. Lessons European concepts can be successfully replicated in Alaska to create an impactful intervention addressing criminal recidivism and addiction. Given the correlation between crime and addiction, this practice may provide a critical pathway for improving public health and safety. Key messages European conceptual frameworks can be successfully replicated in Alaska to create a meaningful community-based intervention for reducing criminal recidivism and substance misuse. An innovative intervention in Alaska addressing the primary risk factors of criminal activity and substance misuse demonstrates the potential to achieve significant social impact and cost savings.

Study of psycho-correction discourse in community correction under restorative justice from the perspective of individuation

study of psycho-correction discourse in community correction under restorative justice from the perspective of individuation

Nonconsensual neurocorrectives, bypassing, and free action

As neuroscience progresses, we will not only gain a better understanding of how our brains work, but also a better understanding of how to modify them, and as a result, our mental states. An important question we are faced with is whether the state could be justified in implementing such methods on criminal offenders, without their consent, for the purposes of rehabilitation and reduction of recidivism; a practice that is already legal in some jurisdictions. By focusing on a prominent type of view of free action, which I call bypassing views, this paper evaluates how such interventions may negatively impact the freedom of their subjects. The paper concludes that there will be a tension between the goals of rehabilitation and reduction of recidivism, on the one hand, and the negative impact such interventions may have on free action, on the other. Other things equal, the better that a particular intervention is at achieving the former, the more likely it is to result in the latter.

Sorting Through the Evidence: A Step Toward Prioritization of Evidence-Based Community Supervision Practices

Studies of implementation of evidence-based supervision policies and procedures often report minimal to moderate adherence to evidence-based models. The few studies that exist examine the degree to which characteristics of probation officers, individuals on supervision, and supervision processes have an impact on rearrest (outcomes). Using administrative data on 7,326 probationers and surveys from 161 probation officers employed by five agencies, hierarchical linear models were used to identify the features of supervision processes that are most important to reduce recidivism. The findings clarify that no one evidence-based supervision feature (i.e., a validated risk and need assessment tool, case planning, treatment, compliance management, etc.) can achieve recidivism reductions. The best results can be achieved by using all features, although a risk-based case management approach that prioritizes employment and/or reducing the criminogenic needs creates similar outcomes. This article discusses the implications of prioritizing which supervision processes are used to impact positive supervision outcomes.

Effectiveness of psychological interventions in prison to reduce recidivism: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

SummaryBackgroundRepeat offending, also known as criminal recidivism, in people released from prison has remained high over many decades. To address this, psychological treatments have been increasingly used in criminal justice settings; however, there is little evidence about their effectiveness. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions in prison to reduce recidivism after release.MethodsFor this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, Global Health, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar for articles published from database inception to Feb 17, 2021, without any language restrictions. We searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effect of psychological interventions, delivered to adolescents and adults during incarceration, on recidivism outcomes after release. We excluded studies of solely pharmacological interventions and of participants in secure psychiatric hospitals or special residential units, or attending therapies mainly delivered outside of the prison setting. We extracted summary estimates from eligible RCTs. Data were extracted and appraised according to a prespecified protocol, with effect sizes converted to odds ratios. We used a standardised form to extract the effects of interventions on recidivism and estimated risk of bias for each RCT. Planned sensitivity analyses were done by removing studies with fewer than 50 participants. Our primary outcome was recidivism. Data from individual RCTs were combined in a random-effects meta-analysis as pooled odds ratios (ORs) and we explored sources of heterogeneity by comparing effect sizes by study size, control group, and intervention type. The protocol was pre-registered with PROSPERO, CRD42020167228.FindingsOf 6345 articles retrieved, 29 RCTs (9443 participants, 1104 [11·7%] females, 8111 [85·9%] males, and 228 [2·4%] unknown) met the inclusion criteria for the primary outcome. Mean ages were 31·4 years (SD 4·9, range 24·5–41·5) for adult participants and 17·5 years (SD 1·9; range 14·6–20·2) for adolescent participants. Race or ethnicity data were not sufficiently reported to be aggregated. If including all 29 RCTs, psychological interventions were associated with reduced reoffending outcomes (OR 0·72, 95% CI 0·56–0·92). However, after excluding smaller studies (<50 participants in the intervention group), there was no significant reduction in recidivism (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0·68–1·11). Based on two studies, therapeutic communities were associated with decreased rates of recidivism (OR 0·64, 95% CI 0·46–0·91). These risk estimates did not significantly differ by type of control group and other study characteristics.InterpretationWidely implemented psychological interventions for people in prison to reduce offending after release need improvement. Publication bias and small-study effects appear to have overestimated the reported modest effects of such interventions, which were no longer present when only larger studies were included in analyses. Findings suggest that therapeutic communities and interventions that ensure continuity of care in community settings should be prioritised for future research. Developing new treatments should focus on addressing modifiable risk factors for reoffending.FundingWellcome Trust, Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé.