Chapter 14 Prevention and Corrections in the Community 1

System Failure Recidivism – The tendency to return to a previous pattern of behavior (return to criminal habits) Recidivism – The tendency to return to a previous pattern of behavior (return to criminal habits) 2/3 are rearrested within 3 years 2/3 are rearrested within 3 years Why? Why? Return to same neighborhood Return to same neighborhood Quickly fall back to same lifestyle Quickly fall back to same lifestyle Poverty/inner-city Poverty/inner-city Unemployment Unemployment 2

Social problems caused by releasing unprepared inmates: Social problems caused by releasing unprepared inmates: Increased child abuse Increased child abuse Family violence Family violence Infectious diseases Infectious diseases Homelessness Homelessness Community disorganization Community disorganization 3

Concern for Community Safety Community-based corrections: prevention and treatment programs to promote successful transition from prison to the community Community-based corrections: prevention and treatment programs to promote successful transition from prison to the community Alternatives to incarceration (boot camps, electronic monitoring) Alternatives to incarceration (boot camps, electronic monitoring) Furlough – unsupervised temporary release to promote successful reentry has led to crime Furlough – unsupervised temporary release to promote successful reentry has led to crime Intermediate Sanctions – restrict freedom without prison Intermediate Sanctions – restrict freedom without prison Problem = NIMBY (not in my backyard) Problem = NIMBY (not in my backyard) 4

Intensive Probation Supervision Smaller caseloads Smaller caseloads Emphasis on compliance with the conditions of probation Emphasis on compliance with the conditions of probation Supervised by a team Supervised by a team Meet daily Meet daily Home visitation Home visitation *More effective than regular, BUT time intensive and less guidance more enforcement *More effective than regular, BUT time intensive and less guidance more enforcement 5

Split Sentencing/Shock Probation After brief incarceration, offender is offered probation (typical 30 days) After brief incarceration, offender is offered probation (typical 30 days) To “shock” first time offenders To “shock” first time offenders Focus on exposure to the consequences of behavior Focus on exposure to the consequences of behavior Must submit a “plan” to parole board Must submit a “plan” to parole board *Effective due to seeing the realities of prison – many change *Effective due to seeing the realities of prison – many change 6

Shock Incarceration/Boot Camp Military style Military style Physical fitness and discipline Physical fitness and discipline Education Education Community service Community service *Can be effective but rigorous – many do not make it through (return to prison) *Can be effective but rigorous – many do not make it through (return to prison) 7

Home Confinement/Electronic Monitoring Confined to home with an electronic bracelet Confined to home with an electronic bracelet Ensures compliance Ensures compliance Schedule responsibilities Schedule responsibilities Reduces prison population Reduces prison population Saves money Saves money Fosters rehabilitation Fosters rehabilitation Dangerous offenders could still commit crime Dangerous offenders could still commit crime Some ethical concerns Some ethical concerns 8

Transition Programs Work Release: can help overcome obstacles to employment Work Release: can help overcome obstacles to employment Education Release: less likely to commit new crimes Education Release: less likely to commit new crimes Half-way houses: inmates move from prison to the community in steps Half-way houses: inmates move from prison to the community in steps Day Reporting Centers: closely supervised release Day Reporting Centers: closely supervised release 9

Reentry Programs for Drug Offenders 83% men, 41% women arrested under the influence 83% men, 41% women arrested under the influence Most crime committed to get $ for drugs Most crime committed to get $ for drugs Drug Courts: approach aimed at breaking the cycle of drug use and crime Drug Courts: approach aimed at breaking the cycle of drug use and crime 10

Treatment services Treatment services Intensive supervision Intensive supervision Early identification Early identification Access to many rehabilitation programs Access to many rehabilitation programs Education (diploma, GED) Education (diploma, GED) Community sponsors Community sponsors Frequent drug testing Frequent drug testing Significant reduction in recidivism Significant reduction in recidivism 11

Combination Programs Intensive supervision + therapeutic drug treatment = effective Intensive supervision + therapeutic drug treatment = effective Can reduce recidivism by 50% Can reduce recidivism by 50% Lower cost to society Lower cost to society 12