Implementing Evidence-Based Practices: A U.S. Territory’s System-Wide Approach

• In Event: Returning Home: A National Movement

Abstract

In 2012, approximately 14,000 offenders were in custody of correctional authorities in the U.S. Territories and Commonwealths (Bureau of Justice Statistics). Once released, these prisoners face considerable obstacles to successfully reintegrating into their communities, and many ultimately return to prison. In response to surging corrections costs and the harmful effects of incarceration on families and communities, one U.S. Territory is taking steps to implement evidence-based practices system-wide. Steps include, for example, the implementation of a validated actuarial risk assessment system based on the risk-need-responsivity framework and the implementation of curricula that target criminogenic needs. To ease in offender reentry efforts, most notably, the Territory developed an Adult Reentry Court—a specialized court that provides individualized treatment and services, as well as supervision and monitoring to moderate and high risk offenders while still incarcerated through reentry back into the community. Based on these efforts, practical and policy implications for criminal justice agencies will be explored.

Author

• Jennifer Lux, University of Cincinnati Corrections Institute