The Evaluation of Ohio's RECLAIM Programs

• In Event: Diverting Youth from Crime: Decisions & Programs

Abstract

In 1993, a House Bill was passed in the State of Ohio that created the Reasoned and Equitable Community and Local Alternatives to the Incarceration of Minors (RECLAIM Ohio) Program. The RECLAIM program was designed to divert youths from the Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS) by keeping them in the community. As such, RECLAIM funds help communities create and implement local programs to target juvenile criminality and other antisocial behaviors. The University of Cincinnati Corrections Institute (UCCI) contracted with DYS in 2012 to evaluate the RECLAIM program across the state. The purpose of this paper is thus to present the findings from the evaluation study. Specifically, the paper reviews the recidivism rates of RECLAIM program participants versus youths who were sentenced to community corrections facilities and state institutions. Finally, the paper examines whether there were differences in recidivism rates by risk level.

Authors

• Jennifer L. Lux, University of Cincinnati

• Brian K. Lovins, Harris County, Texas Community Supervision and Corrections

• Edward Latessa, University of Cincinnati