Are Re-Integration Programs The Solution To Recidivism? (S. 449)

What is S. 449?

(Updated March 15, 2018)

This bill would bring together non-profit organizations and criminal justice experts to identify the most effective civilian re-entry programs for people leaving prison. 

Bringing together nonprofit organizations and criminal justice experts at the federal, state, and local levels, this legislation requires that chosen specialists consult and determine which re-entry programs would be most effective. After this process, the agreed-upon programs would be implemented (as demonstration projects) in selected Federal judicial districts. 

Projects would include re-entry review teams working closely with each prisoner to help them address their specific needs. Projects would also have access to community correctional facilities, the fixings to implement regular drug tests, and the resources to offer rehabilitation treatment to those with histories of substance abuse. Helping former prisoners find health care, jobs, mental health treatment, and vocational/educational training (among other things) would also be goals behind each project. 

Five years after enactment, an evaluation and study of the effects of the programs, and their impacts on recidivism would be assigned to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts and the Attorney General. 

Argument in favor

Integrating ex-prisoners back into civilian live with substance abuse counseling and assistance finding jobs and housing is the best way to bring those people back into becoming productive members of society again.

Argument opposed

Even with a solid reintegration program, there’s no telling how or why an ex-prisoner may relapse into criminal activity — not to mention, why should taxpayers have to foot the bill to bring ex-cons back into society?

Impact

People in prison, people leaving prison, their families, non-profit organizations and criminal justice experts focused on recidivism, prisons and correctional facilities, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and the Department of Justice.

Cost of S. 449

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In Depth:

Sen. Rob Portman has been involved with similar bills to this one, including the Recidivism Reduction and Public Safety Act of 2014, which also addressed ex-inmates returning to prison, drug treatment, and mental health services for people in prisons.

Of Note:

Recidivism is a broad term that defines any relapse into criminal behavior after a prisoner has been released. A study from the National Institute of Justice found:

• "Within three years of release, about two-thirds (67.8 percent) of released prisoners were rearrested.

• Within five years of release, about three-quarters (76.6 percent) of released prisoners were rearrested.

• Of those prisoners who were rearrested, more than half (56.7 percent) were arrested by the end of the first year.

• Property offenders were the most likely to be rearrested, with 82.1 percent of released property offenders arrested for a new crime compared with 76.9 percent of drug offenders, 73.6 percent of public order offenders and 71.3 percent of violent offenders.”

Media:

Sponsoring Sen. Rob Portman On Reducing Recidivism (Similar Legislation)

Justice Policy Institute (In Support)

National Journal (Similar Legislation)