Reentry Programs: Evaluating Community Reentry Initiatives in Arkansas

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

Community reentry initiatives help to prepare incarcerated individuals for the successful reintroduction into their respected communities. With funding provided by the United States Bureau of Justice and in accordance with the Second Chance Act 1190 Comprehensive Statewide Adult Recidivism Reduction Planning Program, researchers had the task of identifying the typologies of various community reentry initiatives throughout the state of Arkansas. This was accomplished by creating a map of the state of Arkansas and dividing the state into five (5) regional zones, making a spreadsheet that identifies the various initiatives throughout the state and differentiating between those that are broadly focused from those that are more narrowly focused in their efforts, producing a one-page uniformed summary of the various initiatives throughout the state, and developing a graphical representation of the typologies identified. The researchers believe that by identifying existing reentry efforts in Arkansas, a more concerted effort can be made regarding funding and programs, which should ultimately, increase the scope of reentry, decrease recidivism, and reduce costs to tax payers. It is hoped that these findings might be applicable to other relevant geographic areas.

Authors

• David R. Montague, University of Arkansas at Little Rock

• Michael C. Minton, University of Arkansas at Little Rock

• Nicole R. Paladino, University of Arkansas at Little Rock