Examining the Effects of Day Reporting Centers and Halfway Houses on Criminal Recidivism

• In Event: Elaborating the Components of Prisoner Reentry Programs

Abstract

Day reporting centers (DRCs) and halfway houses (HHs) are community-based, non-residential facilities that provide supervision for offenders and often offer some form of rehabilitative programming. These centers are less restrictive than closed custody facilities, but provide a more intensive level of supervision than traditional probation and parole. Rehabilitative components offered to participants range, and may include, for example substance abuse programs, vocational training, and life skills development. This meta-analytic study is the first to systematically review and analyze the evidence on day reporting centers and halfway houses on measures of criminal recidivism, including rearrest, reconviction, and reincarceration. Moderator analyses were conducted to examine the methodological, intervention, and participant characteristics that are related to stronger (or weaker) intervention effects, including, for example, age (adult vs. juvenile), offender type/referral, length of stay, and study research design. The effects of DRCs and HHs are discussed in terms of informing evidence-based policies and practices with a focus on concerns of public safety and offender reintegration.

Authors

• Chelsey Lee, Simon Fraser University

• Kelsey Gushue, Simon Fraser University

• Jennifer Wong, Simon Fraser University

• Jessica Bouchard, Simon Fraser University