Breaking the Cycle of Incarceration: A Quantitative Evaluation of the Men's Reentry Initiative

• In Event: Gender and Experiences of Incarceration and Reentry

Abstract

The United States is in an era of mass incarceration, with 95% of incarcerated individuals eventually being released back into their communities. Reentry programs aim to ease the individual’s transition into their community in order to reduce their likelihood of recidivating. The current study provides a quantitative analysis of a reentry program, the Men’s Reentry Initiative (MRI), located in South Carolina. Founded in 2012, The Men’s Reentry Initiative aims to identify and isolate the causes of recidivism in order to address these issues head-on through its twelve-week course, focusing on physical/mental health awareness, post-confinement employment/educational opportunities, and mentorship, among other topics. In order to assess the recidivism rates of MRI participants, we compare the recidivism rates of a sample of MRI participants with the rate of the whole of South Carolina’s incarcerated population. Criminal histories of the individuals were gathered and we controlled for factors such as offense type, criminal history, age, and race. In doing so we provide empirical evidence of the overall effectiveness of the Men’s Reentry Initiative, as well as its impact on participants. With MRI being so recently implemented, our evaluation provides a framework for what works within the program, aiding in its eventual expansion.

Authors

• Kelsey Collins, University of South Carolina

• Deena Isom Scott, University of South Carolina

• Tia Stevens Andersen, University of South Carolina