Prisoner reentry programming: Who recidivates and when?

Abstract

This article provides the results of a multi-year evaluation of one state's prison reentry program and its impact on the success of offender participants as measured by certain recidivism outcomes, defined here as yielding a positive urinalysis, returning to prison, and having a new conviction. Using propensity score matching, the recidivism outcomes of an equivalent comparison group are also presented. A discussion of the plausible reasons why reentry program participants returned to prison earlier and in greater numbers is provided, and recommendations for additional evaluation strategies are proposed. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.