NCJ Number
210282
Editor(s)
Dick Alweis
Date Published
May 2005
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This video examines the challenges and possibilities for assisting offenders’ successful return to the community from prison and describes a model reintegration approach developed and implemented by BI Incorporated, providing research-based supervision, treatment, and training services.
Abstract
Each year nearly 700,000 prisoners are returned to their communities with little education, few skills or positive connections to the community. About two-thirds of these prisoners are failing their conditions of release, thereby landing them back into prison. They return to prison because they have no support base or foundation for reestablishing themselves. For two decades, BI has partnered with government agencies in community corrections to help change this negative cycle of recidivism. This video highlights the BI Incorporated model reintegration program which uses a specific formula to supervise offenders in the community. First, the participant is referred and requested to report to the reentry center. Then, the participant is assessed for specific risks and needs. Third, the participant attends orientation to clarify the expectations of the program. The participant then proceeds to progress through three levels of supervision and treatment that include: (1) Level 1--the stabilization of the offender; (2) Level 2--changing behaviors; and (3) Level 3--preparing for transition to parole and society. BI takes the orders of the parole department and implements them. The model includes an approach for high-risk offenders who have failed previously, those most resistant, by combining daily reporting and classes. BI utilizes the M (monitoring) + P (programming) + R (response) formula to guide the programs. M + P + R is viewed as a common sense approach which equals RR (reduced recidivism), thereby offering public safety. The BI structured approach has shown to be successful. An evaluation conducted in Chicago showed that high-risk parolees participating in the program were 40.6 percent less likely to be sent back to prison.