Intensive Treatment Programming and Recidivism in a Correctional Context

• In Event: Recidivism- What Matters

Abstract

Participation in correctional treatment programs is expected to reduce the likelihood of recidivism (MacKenzie, 2006; Mitchell et al., 2012; Taxman et al., 2014). The present study evaluates one and three year recidivism outcomes for two cohorts of released offenders from a Massachusetts state correctional facility. We explore the effect of participation in intensive treatment programming on the re-arraignment, re-conviction, and re-incarceration rates of the sampled offenders, considering risk assessment and other program participation in each model. While program participation did not directly affect institutional misconduct during incarceration, we examine if it has lasting effects for offender behavior post-release.

Authors

• Natasha A. Frost, Northeastern University

• Sema A. Taheri, Northeastern University

• Rebecca R. Rodriguez-Meade, Northeastern University

• Stacie St. Louis, Northeastern University

• Beck M. Strah, Northeastern University