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Prisoner Reentry

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The transition from incarceration to life in the community has implications for public safety at large and for the communities into which the former prisoners are introduced. RAND research has explored how to prevent recidivism through correctional education, the public health issues of prisoner reentry, and the question of prisoner rehabilitation.

Report

How to Incentivize Employers to Hire Ex-Offenders

Jan 15, 2018

People with criminal records are marginalized in the labor market. What policies might incentivize employers to hire them? Some options include tax credits and replacement guarantees if an ex-offender proves to be unsuitable once hired.
Commentary

Support for Postsecondary Education in Prison

Dec 15, 2016

Correctional educational programs can reduce incarceration costs and recidivism. But it's critical that former inmates can connect with reentry services in the community to complete their education.

Explore Prisoner Reentry

News Release

News Release

Creating Prison-Based College Program That Continues After Release Presents Challenges, but Can Have Success

Creating a prison-based program where incarcerated individuals can take college classes and then work toward a degree upon release can be successful, but many obstacles challenge the success of such efforts.

May 22, 2019
Report

Lessons from a Prison-Based College Program That Continues After Release

A prison-based program offered individuals college classes during the final two years of their incarceration and support for another two years after release to help them achieve their degree or certificate goal. How well did the program work?

May 21, 2019
Report

Managing the Seriously Mentally Ill in Corrections

This report presents the challenges and needs associated with how individuals with serious mental illness become justice-involved and how to achieve better outcomes before and after these individuals come under correctional control.

Apr 2, 2019
Blog

State of the Union: Insights from RAND

To shed light on a wide range of topics that figured in President Trump's second State of the Union address, we've rounded up insights from some of RAND's objective and nonpartisan research, analysis, and expertise.

Feb 6, 2019
Report

Report

Local Evaluation Report for Los Angeles County's Mentally Ill Offender Crime Reduction (MIOCR) Program

RAND researchers assessed a Los Angeles County program to improve outcomes for individuals suffering from mental health disorders who are returning to the community after incarceration.

Sep 7, 2018
Report

Report

Los Angeles County Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act: Fiscal Year 2016–2017 Report

This annual report to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors evaluates the Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act, which offers programs to high-need juvenile probationers and at-risk youths.

Aug 8, 2018
Journal Article

Does Providing Inmates with Education Improve Postrelease Outcomes? A Meta-Analysis of Correctional Education Programs in the United States

Meta-analysis demonstrates the potential value in providing inmates with educational opportunities while they serve their sentences.

Jul 3, 2018
Journal Article

Education for Incarcerated Juveniles: A Meta-Analysis

Though the evidence base about what works in juvenile correctional education remains incomplete, the existing research does suggest promising directions for future programmatic investments.

Jul 3, 2018
Periodical

Periodical

RAND Review: July-August 2018

This issue spotlights RAND's Gun Policy in America initiative and RAND's evaluation of Housing for Health, a Los Angeles County program that has moved some of its most chronically homeless and vulnerable residents into permanent housing.

Jul 2, 2018
Report

Bridge to Opportunities: Connecting Probationers to High-Wage Jobs

Probation agencies face significant challenges to helping their clients find jobs, and earn living wages. One program focused on the construction industry aimed to improve the earning potential of individuals on probation in Sacramento County, California.

May 25, 2018
Research Brief

What Policies Are Most Effective at Incentivizing Employers to Hire Ex-Offenders?

Ex-offenders are less likely to be hired than members of other disadvantaged groups, and former felons with poor economic outcomes are more likely to return to criminal activity. A survey of 100 employers examined how they responded to incentives to hire people with felony criminal records.

Feb 8, 2018
Journal Article

Journal Article

A Propensity Score Analysis of a Community Resettlement Programme for Women Prisoners

By evaluating a voluntary sector, community-based "through-the-gates" resettlement programme for women, we add to the limited evidence base on interventions for women offenders..

Dec 18, 2017
Report

An Alternative Future for the Corrections Sector

Experts agree that the main role of the U.S. corrections sector should be to help improve offenders' behavior. Better staff training, the elimination of operations that generate revenue, and a cultural shift to prioritize rehabilitation over punishment could help.

Oct 26, 2017
Report

Report

Los Angeles County Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act: Fiscal Year 2015–2016 Report

This annual report to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors evaluates the Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act, which offers programs to high-need juvenile probationers and at-risk youths.

Aug 18, 2017
Multimedia

Why Prison Education Matters

In this Events @ RAND podcast, our panel of experts discuss the costs and benefits of using education to stop the prison revolving door, and the effectiveness of programs like The Last Mile, which prepares inmates for reentry by providing them with marketable skills.

Apr 5, 2017
Commentary

UK Prisons Are in 'Crisis,' So What Can Be Done to Improve Performance?

Prisons in the UK are experiencing record numbers of suicides and other violent incidents, as well as staff shortages. Policymakers working on prison reform need more effective ways to measure the performance of prison programs.

Feb 20, 2017
Multimedia

Why Correctional Education Matters

RAND research on correctional education explores the effects on recidivism and post-release employment outcomes, as well as its cost-effectiveness.

Dec 11, 2016
Commentary

Counties Need to Help Parolees Access Health Care

Health needs can be big challenges for former prisoners seeking to reenter communities. But recent policies in California promise to reduce that barrier.

Nov 23, 2016

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RAND Topic:
Prisoner Reentry

Topic Synonyms:
Re-Entry Services

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