Female Offender Reentry Program: Moving On in Washington State

• In Event: Gender and Reentry

Abstract

With over 155 reentry programs and services provided within corrections (Austin, Bloom, & Donahue, 1993; Scroggins & Malley, 2010), there is a dearth of research on female gender specific evidence-based reentry programs. There is a great need for gender specific, evidence-based research for female offender population as only a few studies have provided outcome findings. Since the inception of the Moving On program in 1998, there has only been two articles, Gehring, Van Voorhis, and Bell, (2010) and Duwe and Clark (2015), measuring program effects with regard to recidivism rates. Our study attempts to fill this gap through an evaluation of, Moving On, using an inmate population. Research questions focus on Moving On’s impact as it relates to recidivism and infraction behavior. The results of this study will provide needed evaluation findings regarding the effectiveness of responsive gender interventions. Key recommendations surrounding the extended use of Moving On will also be offered.

Authors

• Leah Ruiz, Washington State University

• Zachary Hamilton, Washington State University