The Impact of Second Chance Act Funding on Recidivism and Other Reentry Outcomes

• In Event: Final Process, Outcome, and Cost Findings from the Cross-Site Evaluation of the Bureau of Justice Assistance FY 2011 Second Chance Act Adult Offender Reentry Demonstration Programs

Abstract

This paper will present the results of the outcome evaluation. First, we will share the results of site-specific analyses of recidivism outcomes for the full sample of individuals enrolled in the AORDP programs during the grantees’ funding period and a matched comparison group in each site. These analyses are based on administrative data and compare the time to rearrest and reincarceration between individuals who enrolled in SCA funding relative to similar individuals released during the same time period who received treatment as usual in the sites. Second, we will present the results of analyses conducted to determine whether the AORDP programs increased access to services (both during incarceration and after release) and affected numerous aspects of reentry, including self-reported criminal behavior, substance use, physical and mental health, employment, and housing stability. These findings are based on in-person, longitudinal interviews conducted prior to and after release with smaller samples of individuals enrolled in the AORDP programs and prospective comparison groups in six sites. Analyses are pooled across sites to draw inferences to the composite of the AORDP projects.

Authors

• Danielle Steffey, RTI International

• Christine Lindquist, RTI International

• Pamela K Lattimore, RTI International