Impacts of post-release services on rearrests among persons released from Cook County Jail

• In Event: Incarceration and Reentry

Abstract

Importance: An estimated 44% of persons incarcerated in local jails live with psychiatric disorders. An estimated 63% live with substance use disorders. Persons who experience such disorders face high risks of rearrest and other harmful outcomes. Feasible services provided upon jail discharge hold promise in addressing these risks. 

 

Objective: To evaluate the impact of one such service, the Supportive Release Center, (SRC), on post-discharge re-arrests among  persons leaving Chicago’s Cook County Jail (CCJ). 

 

Design, Setting, and Participants: This randomized trial included adult men discharged from Cook County Jail between November 6, 2017 and February 10, 2020. SRC eligibility was ascertained by self-reported mental health status (PHQ-2 depression and GAD-2 anxiety screens); two or more incarcerations or indicated substance use over the past year; self-reported urgent healthcare needs or personal safety concerns immediately post-discharge. 

 

Intervention: Consenting participants were transported directly to the SRC, 0.5 miles from CCJ discharge. SRC had capacity to provide overnight stays, meals, and showering for 12 persons per night. It provided a private environment where caseworkers could conduct needs-assessment, and facilitate service-linkages. An advanced practice nurse was available to address immediate medical need. SRC staff also provided participants with transportation services upon completion of SRC services.

 

Main Outcomes and Measures: Our primary outcome was rearrest count within 365 days of study enrollment, as captured in Illinois State Police and Chicago Police Department arrest records. Secondary outcomes included rearrest probability and count 30-days post- discharge.

 

Results: We observed no statistically or clinical impact on our primary outcome for the overall population--a pattern that reflected low takeup among eligible men below age 45. Among men over 45, SRC assignment reduced re-arrest hazard by 48% (HR=0.52, CI [0.31, 0.86]) within 30 days of study entry, by 27% (HR=0.73, CI [0.54, 0.98]) within nine months, and by 21% (HR=0.79, CI [0.59, 1.06)] within twelve months.

 

Conclusions and relevance: Given low take-up among men below age 45, the SRC had no statistically significant rearrest impact for the full eligible population. This low-cost, light-touch intervention substantially reduced thirty-day rearrest risk among men over age 45, a population that faces distinctive criminal-legal and social risks.

Author

• Harold Alexander Pollack, University of Chicago
  Presenting Author