The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) recently released its third annual report on the San Diego Prisoner Reentry Program.
The key program components are based on best practices and include conducting screenings and assessments and providing case management and services to meet identified needs.
The report describes the program implementation, outlines the research methodology, and presents preliminary findings from the process and impact evaluation.
Thus far the process evaluation has revealed the following: good communication and strong collaboration has been the key to successful program implementation, participants’ needs were assessed within the expected timeframe, over three‐quarters (78%) of the treatment group participated in programming while in prison and over two‐thirds (69%) received services in the community during the six months following prison release.
Key findings from the impact evaluation included: treatment group participants were significantly less likely than the comparison group to be returned to prison within the first six months of community reentry, treatment group participants were five times more likely to be employed six months post‐release compared to the comparison group, employed individuals were less likely to have a new arrest within 6 months of release, and preliminary data suggest that program participation reduced substance use and improves social supports, housing, and employment.
The report, Improving Reentry for Ex-Offenders in San Diego County: Third Annual Evaluation Report, is available at:
http://www.sandag.org/uploads/publicationid/publicationid_1488_11261.pdf
Source: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/evaluation/e-news/july10.pdf
Good to here that sometimes things turn out to be better then they seem.
It is an effort worth investing in:
Reentry Initiatives are a nationwide proactive approach to the ever-present reality of the challenges facing the disadvantaged population known as the Formerly Incarcerated Person.
Also known as the “ex-offender”, the attempts to rebuild their lives in what at most appears to be an unforgiving society upon their release is a challenge that not only impacts the former prisoner but it impacts the communities they are being released back into as well. Unemployment is a raw reality for these individuals. A perpetual state of punishment beyond the court imposed sentences for crimes these individuals have since served their time for is an obvious barrier that only serves to keep these individuals down. If we are going to foster success as a nation we must also extend to these unique individuals the fair opportunities to become successful contributors to the society they are returning to.
R.I.F.T. Reentry Initiatives For Today, a collaborative research and development strategy specifically aimed at the empowerment of the formerly incarcerated person. R.I.F.T. is a committed endeavor of assisting both men and women to become successfully reintegrated into their communities and furthermore a [real] opportunity to pursue the endeavor of becoming successful entrepreneurs.
We also aim to utilize our extended force and vast affiliations within multi-state agencies and organizations to help foster public awareness and community support for the following:
those currently incarcerated,
Juvenile Justice Policies & practices
those wrongfully incarcerated,
capital punishment matters,
inhumane prison conditions
At RIFT> Reentry Initiatives For Today:
We are a growing force proactively engaging an incalculable population.
Leann Lincoln
R.I.F.T. Reentry Initiatives For Today
Founder/Executive Director