National Institute of Justice's Evaluation of Second Chance Act Adult Reentry Courts: Program Characteristics and Preliminary Themes from Year 1.

摘要

In recent years the issue of prisoner reentry has emerged as one of the most critical and complex dilemmas facing practitioners, researchers and policymakers alike. The high volume of individuals returning from incarceration to neighborhoods that feature concentrated poverty and the overwhelming obstacles they face has contributed to heightened interest in identifying effective strategies for managing the reentry process. Over 2.2 million individuals were incarcerated in local, state, and federal adult correctional facilities in 2010, and nearly all incarcerated persons will eventually be released. Formerly incarcerated persons face the stigma of a criminal record, drug and alcohol addictions, mental and physical health problems, strained family relations, and limited occupational or educational experiences to prepare them for successful community reintegration. Thus, it is not surprising that as many as two-thirds of individuals released from prison are rearrested within 3 years, and over 50% return to prison or jail. In response to the high post-release failure rates and the overwhelming needs of individuals returning from incarceration, many reentry programs designed to facilitate the transition from incarceration to the community have been implemented over the past several decades.