Effect of Community Reintegration on Rates of Recidivism: A Statistical Overview of Data for the Years 1971 Through 1987

• NCJ Number: 137240
• Author(s): D P LeClair
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 32 pages
• Corporate Author: Massachusetts Dept of Correction
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Statistics
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Data generated from annual recidivism studies conducted in Massachusetts between 1971 and 1987 were analyzed and used in comparisons between current findings and trends discerned in prior studies and in comparisons between specific correctional institutions of varying security levels and modes of correctional programming.

Abstract

Several significant trends occurring within the Massachusetts correctional system were detected. There was a systematic reduction in recidivism rates between 1971 and 1978. In 1979 and 1980, there was a significant increase in recidivism rates which dropped off again between 1980 and 1983 and then rose for the last 4 years of the reporting period. Recidivism studies indicated that inmate participation in the State home furlough program may have contributed to lower recidivism rates. In addition, participation in prerelease programs prior to community release led to lower rates of recidivism. The final trend related to the process of graduated movement among institutions in descending level of security and size. In other words, inmates released directly from medium or minimum security institutions had lower rates of recidivism than inmates released directly from maximum security facilities. These findings all remained constant when follow-up periods were extended for up to 5 years. 14 tables and 29 references