NCJ Number
230386
Date Published
March 2009
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This report reviews the evidence on 'what works' in the field of corrections on prison reentry presented as testimony before the subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies.
Abstract
Highlights from the testimony given before the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies in March 2009 on 'what works' in corrections, prison reentry from evidence-based research reviews include: 1) the need to examine the research on pre-entry, focusing on both the decision to incarcerate and what happens in prison, in conjunction with reentry; 2) in a recent systematic, evidence-based review of the research on the effectiveness of incarceration compared to other sanctions was inconclusive, due to the small number of quality research studies available for review; 3) evidence-based reviews of selected intermediate sanction demonstrate that control-focused sanctions are ineffective in terms of recidivism reduction; 4) evidence-based reviews of prison treatment and programming reveal that these programs reduce prison violence and disorder as well as resulting in small, but significant reductions in subsequent recidivism upon reentry; 5) evidence-based review of the effectiveness of both traditional parole and the new wave of prison entry programs could not be presented, due to the necessary evaluation research on the implementation and impact of these programs having not been completed; and 6) the need to consider new ways of funding reentry programs. References