NCJ Number
111518
Date Published
1987
Length
55 pages
Annotation
This evaluation of New York City's Aftercare Employment Program (AEP) -- a program begun in 1985 to provide employment counseling, training, and placement to offenders aged 16-20 released from the Riker's Island facility -- measured the program's progress toward programmatic goals during its first year of operation and whether it significantly impacted participants' rearrest rate.
Abstract
AEP enrolled 72 percent of the clients recruited at Riker's Island in the postrelease phase (the goal was 80 percent) and placed 68 percent (the goal was 70 percent) in a full-time activity. The percentage placed in a full-time activity for 3 months was far below the goal of 60 percent; only 27 percent remained on the job for 3 months or more. Two-thirds of the participants were rearrested at least once during the 1-year followup period, a rate slightly above that of a matched comparison group. The program goal was a 15-percent rearrest rate. Some explanations for the high rearrest rate are the absence of selection criteria, the absence of offenders' psychological histories at intake screening, and clients being in the crime-prone years. Recommendations are to increase the use of school and job training placements, provide support services during the employment period, and use screening at intake. 45 tables and 10 figures.