Prisoner Reentry in Idaho

• In Event: Roundtable: Reentry

Abstract

Prisoner reentry in the rural context, with a couple of notable exceptions such as Zajac et al. (2013), is an understudied issue. Formerly incarcerated individuals face a number of challenges upon reentry and these challenges may be magnified in the rural setting. Idaho makes for a particularly interesting case study of prisoner reentry. Although the state has a low crime rate relative to other states (In 2014 there were 212.2 violent crimes per 100,000 individuals and 1,854.8 property crimes per 100,000 individuals) it has the tenth highest incarceration rate and a significant amount of overcrowding (Carson 2014: 8). Recidivism among parolees has been identified as a key factor contributing to the rate of incarceration (Justice Center 2014). This study seeks to determine the factors that contribute recidivism rates on the county level. Factors in the model include: the demographics of individuals being released; the rate of returning individual per 1000 members of the population; number and types of reentry programming available in each county; the number of educational programs; unemployment rates; the proportion of families living in poverty; the number of family services programs; and parole officer caseloads.

Author

• Deirdre Caputo-Levine, Drake University