Prisoner Reentry Programs,

Recidivism, and
Reincarceration: A Policy
Analysis for New Avery
Allie Cohen (HPA), Megan LeDuc, Nathaniel Lee, and Amy Zhang
Fall 2015

Outline
Problem Definition
Research Design
Research Results and Analysis
Conclusion/Recommendation

Reentry Programs
-Designed to assist prisoners with reentry into society
-Can cover a variety of services
-Often assist with housing, employment/job training, counseling,
and drug abuse
-3 goals:
-Reduce Recidivism
-Reduce reincarceration
-Increase Employment

Problem
Definition

Background

Research and
Analysis

Alternative

Conclusion and
Recommendation

Problem
Definition:
Recidivism
-High rates of prisoner
recidivism/reincarceration
-More crime
-More prison-related costs
-Greater burden on
communities
Problem
Definition

Background

Research and
Analysis

Alternative

Conclusion and
Recommendation

Prison Population

The Growth of
Incarceration in
the United
States:
Exploring
Causes and
Consequences,
The National
Research
Council, 2014.

Problem
Definition

Background

Research and
Analysis

Alternative

Conclusion and
Recommendation

Policy Problem and Analysts Problem

Policy Problem: Would funding
a prisoner reentry program be
the most effective and efficient
way to decrease and fight the
effects of recidivism and
reincarceration?

Problem
Definition

Background

Effectiveness of prisoner reentry programs at

reducing recidivism and reincarceration rates.
Impacts of prisoner reentry programs on exconvict job placement rates.
How prisoner reentry programs have fared in other
states.
Examine alternative policies
Determine the costs and benefits of funding
prisoner reentry programs.
Analyze externalities, implementation problems,
and offsetting behaviors associated with the
proposed policy.
Provide recommendations regarding the funding
of prisoner reentry programs to the state of New
Avery.
Research and
Analysis

Alternative

Conclusion and
Recommendation

lative History: Federal

S.1060 Second Chance Act of 2007
Delaware Senator Joe Biden
Awards grants to states that provide reentry programs for
offenders.
H.R.759 Recidivism Risk Reduction Act
Representative Jason Chaffetz
Focus of public safety through risk and recidivism reduction.

Problem
Definition

Background

Research and
Analysis

Alternative

Conclusion and
Recommendation

slative History: State

The state of Florida has passed many notable bills.
2012 FL S.B. 448: Inmate Reentry
Develops reentry programs intended to divert offenders from long
incarceration
periods.
2014 FL S.B. 7030: Community Reentry Programs
Requires development of a plan to implement a pilot reentry
program.
Problem
Definition

Background

Research and
Analysis

Alternative

Conclusion and
Recommendation

slative History: Local

New York City, NY

Norfolk, VA

Problem
Definition

Background

New York City Housing Authority

(NYCHA): provides housing for
offenders.
T.E.A.M. program: multi-step
reentry program.

Research and
Analysis

Alternative

Conclusion and
Recommendation

itical Environment:
pporters
Career Centers:
One Stop Career Center
Successful reentry programs:
Ready 4 Work
Establishes connections with local employers

Halfway Homes
Office of National Drug Control Policy
Problem
Definition

Background

Research and
Analysis

Alternative

Conclusion and
Recommendation

Political Environment:
Opponents
California Correctional Peace Officers Association
(CCPOA)
Expansion of prison system

Taxpayers
See reentry programs as unfair use of tax dollars
Opposition translates into political will

Local communities
Caused by the PIMBY phenomenon

Problem
Definition

Background

Research and
Analysis

Alternative

Conclusion and
Recommendation

ch Objectives and Methods

I. How effective are prisoner reentry programs at reducing recidivism and reincarceration? Have
significant benefits been shown in other states?
--Evaluative criteria: 4% reduction

II. How do prisoner reentry programs impact job placement rates among offenders? How have
other states programs fared at achieving positive goals in these areas?
--Evaluative criteria: 7% increase

III. What are the costs and benefits of funding prisoner reentry programs in New Avery?
--New York, California, Michigan

IV. What are some alternative policies for reducing recidivism/reincarceration and/or reducing
the negative effects of reentry?
--Three Strikes policy

V. What are the externalities, offsetting behaviors, and implementation problems associated with
the proposed policy?
Problem
Definition

Background

Research and
Analysis

Alternative

Conclusion and
Recommendation

Objective Question 1
Recidivism and Reincarceration

ComALERT Prison Reentry Program:

Comprehensive approach to reentry
Addresses counseling, housing, employment
Source: Report on the evaluation of the ComALERT Prisoner Reentry Program - Harvard University

Report on the
evaluation of the
ComALERT
Prisoner Reentry
Program from
Harvard
University

Problem
Definition

Background

Research and
Analysis

Alternative

Conclusion and
Recommendation

ecidivism Results: Florida, Washington, Minnesota, Ohio

Evaluation of Ohios community-based
correctional facilities and halfway house
programs from the University of
Cincinnati, Prison-Based Chemical
Dependency Treatment in Minnesota: An
Outcome Evaluation from the Minnesota
Department of Corrections, Report on
the evaluation of the ComALERT
Prisoner Reentry Program from Harvard
University, Does Work Release Work? by
Jillian Berk, Class I impacts: Work
during incarceration and its effects on
post-prison employment patterns and
recidivism from the Washington State
Department of Correction, An Evaluation
of the Institution/Community Work Crew
Affordable Homes Program from the
Minnesota Department of Corrections

Problem
Definition

Background

Research and
Analysis

Alternative

Conclusion and
Recommendation

ion Results: Minnesota, Ohio

Evaluation of Ohios community-based
correctional facilities and halfway
house programs from the University of
Cincinnati, Prison-Based Chemical
Dependency Treatment in Minnesota:
An Outcome Evaluation from the
Minnesota Department of Corrections,
Report on the evaluation of the
ComALERT Prisoner Reentry Program
from Harvard University, An Evaluation
of the Institution/Community Work
Crew Affordable Homes Program from
the Minnesota Department of
Corrections, Vocational Education and
Training Provision and Recidivism in
Queensland Correctional Institutions
from Queensland University

Problem
Definition

Background

Research and
Analysis

Alternative

Conclusion and
Recommendation

Objective Question 2
Employment

yment Increases
Overall, positive results
ComALERT: Prisoners were twice as likely to obtain employment
Florida work release: 11% increase
Minnesota work training: 7%
Washington: 9%
Note: All programs exceeded evaluative criteria! (7%)
Higher earnings

Problem
Definition

Background

Research and
Analysis

Alternative

Conclusion and
Recommendation

ployment Results: Florida, Washington, Minnesota

Report on the evaluation of the
ComALERT Prisoner Reentry
Program from Harvard
University, Does Work Release
Work? by Jillian Berk, Class I
impacts: Work during
incarceration and its effects on
post-prison employment
patterns and recidivism from
the Washington State
Department of Correction, An
Evaluation of the
Institution/Community Work
Crew Affordable Homes
Program from the Minnesota
Department of Corrections

Problem
Definition

Background

Research and
Analysis

Alternative

Conclusion and
Recommendation

Research Analysis

Reentry programs mitigate the effects of recidivism and

reincarceration

Results for different programs often varied significantly

Almost all studies found results that passed the evaluative

criteria

Problem: adverse selection

Most studies accounted for adverse selection by selecting

similar control groups

Florida (most like New Avery) had positive results

Objective Question 3
Costs and Benefits

Costs
Direct

Indirect

$16.28 per night per inmate in reentry

programs

Reducing the number of inmates in

prison through reentry programs will
reduce community service hours.

$455.84 per inmate throughout the

duration of the reentry program

Inmates save the state of Florida $45

million in community service. Reducing
inmates will cause communities to find
other ways to fund these projects.

$6.5 million spent in planning and

research in to reentry programs

Loss of work from inmates will result in

a loss of agriculture cultivation.

$1.14 million spent in implementation

fees

Reduction in incarcerated citizens will

lead to laying off DOC employees.

Problem
Definition

Background

Research and
Analysis

Alternative

Effective Reentry
Programs from the
American Bar
Association Criminal
Justice Section (4);
Second Chance Act
Adult Offender Reentry
Program for Planning
and Demonstration
Projects from the US
Department of Justice
(53).

Conclusion and
Recommendation

Benefits
Direct

Indirect

Reduces the cost of inmates in prison which

costs $49.49 per day, three times more than a
reentry program would cost.

More inmates will enter the economy with the

use of prison reentry programs. This will increase
the number taxpayers, thus boosting the
economy.

Recidivism rates in Florida in recent years has

been reduced by 10.6%.

Since there will be less prisoners, more of the

food cultivated by inmates can go to the
community.

DOC costs will decrease including overhead

costs.

Less money will need to be allocated towards

prisons so this money can be allocated to other
community improving policies instead.
Reentry programs will help reduce violence once
inmates are released.
Reentry programs will allow inmates to be
released to families sooner allowing them to
properly care for their children, promoting overall
welfare in society.

Problem
Definition

Background

Research and
Analysis

Alternative

Effective Reentry
Programs from the
American Bar
Association Criminal
Justice Section (4);
Second Chance Act
Adult Offender Reentry
Program for Planning
and Demonstration
Projects from the US
Department of Justice
(53).

Conclusion and
Recommendation

Objective Question 4
Externalities, Implementation Problems, and Offsetting Behaviors

Externalities
Crime Rate

Hannon,Lance, and Robert DeFina. "The state of

the economy and the relationship
between prisoner reentry and crime." Social
problems 57.4 (2010): 611-629

DeFina, Robert, and Lance Hannon. "For incapacitation, there is no

time like the present: The lagged effects of prisoner reentry on property
and violent crime rates." Social Science Research 39.6 (2010): 10041014.

Family Life
Problem
Definition

Background

Research and
Analysis

Alternative

Conclusion and
Recommendation

Implementation Problems

The Economy

Recruitment
and Retention

Lindquist, C., and A. Bir.

"The National evaluation of
the responsible fatherhood,
marriage, and family
strengthening grants for
incarcerated and re-entering
fathers and their partners:
Program overview and
evaluation summary."
Washington, DC: US
Department of Health and
Human Services (2008).

Horsey, David. The Economy. LA Times. 2014

Problem
Definition

Background

Research and
Analysis

Alternative

Conclusion and
Recommendation

Offsetting Behaviors
Some Prisoner Reentry programs are linked to
higher crime rates

Wilson, James A., and Robert C. Davis. "Good Intentions Meet Hard Realities: An Evaluation of the Project Greenlight
Reentry Program*." Criminology & Public Policy 5.2 (2006): 303.

Problem
Definition

Background

Research and
Analysis

Alternative

Conclusion and
Recommendation

Objective Question 5
Alternative

Alternative: Three Strike Policy

Starting in the 70s, government
crackdown on crime
First implemented in CA in 1994
Three violent felonies= life in prison

Problem
Definition

Background

Research and
Analysis

Alternative

Conclusion and
Recommendation

Three Strikes Laws

are widespread,
though many have
been repealed

Bick, Carolyn, and Sobey, Richard. Three Strikes Law. Boston University College of Communication State House Program. Web. 14
Nov. 2015.

Problem
Definition

Background

Research and
Analysis

Alternative

Conclusion and
Recommendation

Though originally meant to keep the

most violent felons off the streets,
the three-strikes laws applied to
less severe crimes as well, like
forging checks.

Caulkins, Jonathan P. "How Large Should the Strike Zone Be in Three Strikes and You're Out Sentencing
Laws?." Journal of Quantitative Criminology 17.3 (2001): 227-246.

Problem
Definition

Background

Research and
Analysis

Alternative

Conclusion and
Recommendation

Adult Populations. Legislative Analysts Office. January 1995. Web. 14 Nov. 2015.

Problem
Definition

Background

Research and
Analysis

Alternative

Conclusion and
Recommendation

The Three
Strikes policy
led to large
increases in the
imprisoned
population,
eventually
causing
overcrowding.

Brown, Brian, and Greg Jolivette. A primer: Three strikes: The impact after more than a decade. Legislative Analyst's Office, 2005.

Problem
Definition

Background

Research and
Analysis

Alternative

Conclusion and
Recommendation

Costs of Three Strikes Policy

Predicted to cost $4.5-$6.5 billion annually.
$60,000 per second strike offender for 43 months
Life time sentences for third strike offenders
Increased medical costs for inmates as they age during third time offending sentences.
$20 million per year for those paroled on a three strike system.

Indirects Costs to Consider

Correlation between increased homicide rates and the three strike policy.
Nonviolent offenders are incarcerated at higher rates.
People are unable to pay taxes when imprisoned, so they are unable to contribute to the economy.
Injury is more likely in prison when a nonlethal strike offender is placed with lethal strike offenders

A Primer: Three Strikes - The Impact After More Than a Decade from the Legislative Analysts Office from Californias Nonpartisan Fiscal
and Policy Advisor

Problem
Definition

Background

Research and
Analysis

Alternative

Conclusion and
Recommendation

Benefits of Three Strikes Program

$18 billion saved because of reduced crime

Job creation in the Department of Corrections

Indirect Benefits

Reduces overall crime rates

Communities are made safer which allows for students to focus more on school and not about safety.
Less people are released from prison so they are less likely to influence juveniles to join their immoral acts.

A Primer: Three Strikes - The Impact After More Than a Decade from the Legislative Analysts
Office from Californias Nonpartisan Fiscal and Policy Advisor

Problem
Definition

Background

Research and
Analysis

Alternative

Conclusion and
Recommendation

Evaluating the Alternative

With

higher costs, we need higher benefits.

Evaluative criteria: 5% decrease in crime over 3
years
Longitudinal studies show no effect on crime rate
Conclusion: Alternative is not a viable solution for
New Avery
Worrall, J. L. (2004). The effect of Three Strikes legislation on serious crime in California. Journal of
Criminal Justice, 32 (4), 283-296

Problem
Definition

Background

Research and
Analysis

Alternative

Conclusion and
Recommendation

Conclusion
Prisoner reentry programs are significantly correlated with
lower rates of recidivism and reincarceration and higher rates
of post-prison employment
Most programs exceed evaluative criteria threshold
Strongest program: ComALERT program
Three Strikes laws do little to combat recidivism, and they tend
to increase prison population

Problem
Definition

Background

Research and
Analysis

Alternative

Conclusion and
Recommendation

Recommendations

Three Strikes laws should not be implemented

Implement the ComALERT reentry program in New Avery
Monitor results over first few years
Consider alternative program if results do not exceed
evaluative thresholds
Should opposition arise, a PI program should be put in place

Problem
Definition

Background

Research and
Analysis

Alternative

Conclusion and
Recommendation