Evidence Based Practice in Offender Reentry

• In Event: Improving Outcomes in Correctional Populations II

Abstract

Evidence based practices are essential for criminal justice organizations and programs. The NIJ had identified evidence based practices for reentry programs. This paper identifies what evidence based reentry practices are and then evaluates Project Reentry in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and its use of evidence based practices. Project Reentry has won national awards and boasts a 12.4 percent recidivism rate. The researchers used literature on evidence based reentry practices, agency documents, a database of offender demographics and recidivism rates, and interviews with case workers to evaluate the effectiveness of the program and make recommendations for improving Project Reentry and other programs.

Authors

• Cathy Cowling, Campbell University

• John Mero, Campbell University