NCJ Number
184813
Date Published
May 2000
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This report measures recidivism in a Louisiana reintegration program for ex-offenders.
Abstract
This Metropolitan Crime Committee research report evaluates the effectiveness of Project Return in achieving its primary goal of reintegrating ex-offenders back into the community. Services provided by Project Return enabled program participants to make a more successful transition from prison to the community compared with similar ex-offenders who did not participate in or complete the program. It also appeared successful in reducing recidivism rates when compared with those for ex-offender populations nationwide. Recidivist rates in the studies reviewed as part of the evaluation ranged from 24 percent to 48 percent 1 year after release. A rapid increase in the rate of recidivism over the 5-year tracking period for those completing the project suggests that many participants may require an extended period of program involvement. The dropout rate of 50 percent is high and needs to be reduced. Women who completed the project and recidivated did so much more quickly than men. The evaluation did not assess the extent of substance abuse among program participants. Improving linkages of substance abuse with community service providers could be a cost-effective strategy for lowering both the recidivism and dropout rates. Tables, figures, appendixes