Treatment, Education, Employment Programs Prevent Recidivism, Study SaysAugust 3, 2004
Research Summary
A study by the Center for Impact Research finds that mandatory addiction treatment, education programs, and employment services are effective in preventing people involved in the justice system from returning to prison, the Chicago Tribune reported Aug. 3.The national research, conducted on behalf of the Developing Justice Coalition -- an umbrella for grassroots Chicago community groups -- pointed to programs like New York's Community and Law Enforcement Together, which has cut recidivism to 17 percent among participants, compared to the typical 41 percent of inmates.
The report, "Current Strategies for Reducing Recidivism," said that offering all three services to recently released inmates could be effective in Chicago and elsewhere. "Treatment for substance abuse or mental illness can help remove barriers that prevent employment and integration," the researchers said. "Education provides the skills necessary for inmates to obtain the types of jobs that lead to more successful outcomes, and employment provides released inmates an income as well as supporting integration by increasing stability and self-confidence."
COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE: