Interventions Designed to Reduce Recidivism and the Best Practice Based of Evidence

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and contingent reinforcement to parole officers in addition to sanctions over a 12 week period (Friedmann 2012). Concerns regarding the studied participants in this treatment, on both sides of the clinical spectrum, resulted in limitations to the study. Parolees as well as parole officers volunteered for this study vs being required to participate, leaving the motivation compared to an assigned individual unclear. Incentives were also provided, which amounted to roughly $50 over a 3 month time frame, ultimately not substantial incentive to some. While drug use and the recommitting of crimes rates appeared lower in the first nine months of release, the overall long term results did not reach a statistical significance. The ongoing opportunity to assist parolees and reinforce positive progress appeared to be a benefit to parolees that preferred less hard drugs, such as marijuana (Friedmann 2012).

Offenders with a history of domestic violence participated in a Risk-Needs-Responsivity (RNR) treatment study. Through this treatment, coping skills, methods and strategies are taught to assist with attitudes towards abuse against women, coping and managing emotions and skills to utilize in social situations high risk situations. Special assessments, tests and screens are administered to inmates matching specific criteria in regards to domestic violence. Two groups were studies in this treatment study, participant that completed high or moderate intensity family violence program and the second group, who did not complete a treatment program. Comparisons showed that inmates that participated in a RNR treatment plan, showed levels of lower jealousy, less negative attitudes towards relationships, increased knowledge and implementation of prevention skills, increased respect for their significant other, higher response to readiness in treatment and responsivity and an increase in engaging in positive behaviors and attitudes (Stewart 2014). Overall, the data shows a noticeable difference in re-offending, when the RNR treated individuals are compared to those that were not treated. The results show that when the cognitive-behavioral treatments of RNR are implemented, the effectiveness in decreasing domestic violence decreases and the recidivism rate is lower in this area. However the study also noted the impact on general crimes and parole violations are not impacted. Another limitation was the contributing factor being measured by reported spousal assaults and not all assaults get reported to law enforcement (Stewart 2014).

Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Program (PIECP), allows private industries to employ inmates while they are incarcerated. The system is intended to place inmates in a practical workplace, pay comparable wages for equivalent work and empower them to gain utilizable skills to expand their likelihood for productive recovery and significant occupation upon discharge. The U.S. Department of Justice (2004) states two primary objectives of this program: (1) inmate production that contributes to , offsets incarceration costs, compensates crime victims and supports inmate families, and (2) success in the community once the inmate is released (Hopper 2013). While statistics do not show a huge difference in the recidivism rates compared to inmates who did not participate in related programs, the overall odds of an inmate that participated in a related program, re-offending, were less than those who did not utilize the program. Ultimately the program results in positive attributes both to the inmate and the community.

A 2009 report by the American Correctional Association concluded that offenders have completed the General Education Diploma (GED), are 25% less likely to return back to prison, then offenders who did not obtain at the least a GED. Research shows in Davis 2013 Evaluating the Effectiveness of Correctional Education, that indeed the obtainment of education by an offender while incarcerated, does reduce the overall odds that he will re-offend. The BJS 2005 Census of State and Federal Correctional Facilities document that numerous correctional facilities offer some type of education or literacy program. 66% of state correctional facilities offer literacy or 1st–4th grade education programs, 64% offer 5th–8th grade education programs, 76% offer secondary or GED programs, 50% offer vocational training,33% offer special education and 33% offer college courses. Education has shown to reduce odds of re-offending up to 43% compared to offenders that did not utilize educational services. Looking at this rate on a national average, on average it could reduce recidivism by 12.9%. As with all education providers, even those offered to society, the effectiveness and overall impact can vary from institution to institution.

Conclusions

Based on the numerous treatment approaches and the large population factors that are the ones receiving the treatment, I can neither agree nor disagree that one method stands high above the rest. While testing has not been done on a large enough scale, factoring in the numerous variations, it greatly limits the ultimate conclusion of treatments best utilized to lower recidivism. Some treatments clearly showed a lower result in re-offending, when specific treatment methods were implemented, however the lack of alternate case studies, limits those findings as well. Key factors such as age, sex, race, religion, offenses, time frames and or education level are just a few of the variables that can drastically change the outcome of a study. Without more of a structured study, that implemented a vast numbers of changing variables, it leaves an open argument for all treatments to be limited in outcomes.

From the articles and readings that I did come across, with the preset experimental individuals pre-selected, if I had to lean towards one treatment method over another, I would lean towards the implementation of education in correctional institutions as being the best approach for reducing recidivism.

References

Davis, L. M., Bozick, R., Steele, J. L., Saunders, J. M., & Miles, J. N. V. (2013). Evaluating the

Effectiveness of Correctional Education: A Meta-Analysis of Programs that Provide

Education to Incarcerated Adults.

Duran, L., Plotkin, M., Potter, P., Rosen, H., Justice Center (Council of State Governments),

Annie E. Casey Foundation & United States. (2013). Integrated Reentry and Employment

Strategies: Reducing Recidivism and Promoting Job Readiness.