How Effective Is the Rate of Recidivism Re-Entry Programs for Adults

¶ … Recidivism/Re-Entry Programs for Adults

There has been a large amount of funding filtered into prison recidivism and reentry programs for adults because these programs claim to have the answer to addressing the recidivism rates of adult individuals who are in reentry programs leaving prison. Successful reintegration of prisoners into society is critically important in reducing the rate of these individuals who reoffends and returns to prison. As well that are various theories that abound that attempt to explain how and why specific program and treatment formats are more effective in addressing this problem. The truth is that no one is quite sure as to which programs are most effective.

Theoretical Framework

The work of Wormith, et al. (2007) entitled "The Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Offenders: The Current Landscape and So e Future Directions for Correctional Psychology" reports that the national average recidivism rate in the United States reveals that approximately 2/3 of offenders in 15 states released in 1994 "were re-arrested within 3 years of their release, with the majority being reconvicted and incarcerated for new crimes." However, it is reported that findings from an analysis of specific programs reveals something very different "about the capacity for success in American corrections. In a review of almost 300 evaluations of correctional programs during 35 years, general cognitive-based programs were estimated to reduce recidivism by 8%, therapeutic communities by 6%, and cognitive-behavioral treatment programs for sex offenders in prison by 15%. (Aos, Miller, & Drake, 2006 cited in: Wormith, et al., 2007)

III. Research Objective

The objective of the research proposed in this study is to assess the effectiveness of the programs presently used to address adult recidivism upon prisoner reentry into society. This study intends to examine the prisoner reentry programs used to address adult recidivism rates.

IV. Initial Review of Literature

The work of Serin, Lloyd, and Hanby (2010) entitled "Enhancing Offender Reentry: An Integrated Model for Enhancing Offender Re-entry" reports that the "number of U.S. citizens involved in the criminal justice system is staggering (7.3 million adults) with approximately 700,000 individuals returning home each year to their communities from prison." (p.53) The Second Chance Act is reported to have highlighted offender re-entry. Serin, Lloyd and Hanby (2010) state the proposition that "advancing the efficacy of the re-entry movement requires utilizing more systematic assessment, incorporating improved community intervention and implementing human services with fidelity and humanity." (p.55)

Risk assessment is important in determining the recidivism rates of prisoners after release from prison therefore "most agencies presently utilize risk and need assessment because they provide group estimates of re-offending and identify individual treatment needs." (p.55) It is stated therefore "...the conventional wisdom makes it mandatory to ground one's correctional practice with a validated risk assessment." (Serin, Lloyd, and Hanby (2010, p. 56) At present the LS/CMI and the LSI-R appear "to be the choice risk instrument for case management in the United States" for non-sex offenders.

Reported are existing programs of two types: (1) institution programs; and (2) parole/community programs. (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation -- Expert Documents, Part II, 2010, p.64) Included in these programs are such as re-entry education, the Family Foundation Program, the program for Incarcerated Youth Offenders, Substance Abuse programs, as well as other various prison re-entry programs. The focus of these various programs while much the same, are differentiated by their specific approach. Stated in one report that the most successful programs in bringing about a reduction in recidivism rates are those that "conform to the risk principle, which states: 'Programs should target offenders who are the greatest risk to reoffend." (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation -- Expert Documents, Part II, 2010, p.64) Because of the high prevalence of drug offenders the most common form of rehabilitation offered to adult prisoners prior to re-entry are drug-abuse treatment programs with the most commonly used "and thoroughly researched prison-based, psychosocial treatment being that of the "therapeutic community (TC)." (Wormith, et al., 2010, p. 882)