Reducing Recidivism Rates in Alabama through Mentoring Programs

Bethany A. Lanier, MS, NCC

Background BS, Psychology: Virginia Tech MS, Counseling and Human Development:

Radford University Concentration: CMHC Practicum experiences

Ph.D, Counselor Education and Supervision: Auburn University Counseling experience Grant participation

Important Terms Why is recidivism important? Recidivism is an important

feature when considering the core criminal justice topics of incapacitation, specific deterrence and rehabilitation. Incapacitation: the effect of a sanction to stop people from

committing crime by removing the offender from the community.

Specific deterrence: denote whether a sanction stops people from committing further crime, once the sanction has been imposed or completed.

Rehabilitation: the extent to which a program is implicated in the reduction of crime by "repairing" the individual in some way by addressing his or her needs or deficits.

Desistance: the process by which a person arrives at a permanent state of nonoffending (an offender released from prison will either recidivate or desist)

Why Recidivism Is a Core Criminal Justice Concern. (2008, October 3). Retrieved November 1, 2014, from http://www.nij.gov/topics/corrections/recidivism/Pages/core-concern.aspx

National Institute of Justice Study Criminal history prior to incarceration reliably

predicted whether or not incarceration would deter reoffending within three years after release: 40% of the sample reoffended as predicted from

their criminal history before incarceration. For a small percentage of offenders (4%),

incarceration had a criminogenic effect, increasing the rate of crime after release from prison.

Supervision after release did not seem to lower likelihood of re-arrest.

Studying the Effects of Incarceration on Offending Trajectories: An Information-Theoretic Approach, by A.S. Bhati, July 2006, NCJ 216639

National Recidivism Data Bureau of Justice Statistics studies have found high rates of

recidivism among released prisoners. One study tracked 404,638 prisoners in 30 states after their release from prison in 2005: Within 3y ears of release, about two-thirds (67.8%) of released

prisoners were rearrested. Within five years of release, about three-quarters (76.6%) of

released prisoners were rearrested. Of those prisoners who were rearrested, more than half (56.7%)

were arrested by the end of the first year. Property offenders were the most likely to be rearrested, with 82.1%

of released property offenders arrested for a new crime compared with 76.9% of drug offenders, 73.6% of public order offenders and 71.3% of violent offenders.

Within 5 years of release, 84.1% of inmates who were age 24 or younger at release were arrested, compared to 78.6% of inmates ages 25 to 39 and 69.2% of those age 40 or older.

Recidivism. (2014, June 17). Retrieved November 1, 2014, from http://www.nij.gov/topics/corrections/recidivism/Pages/welcome.aspx

Second Chance Act Mentoring Grant Program “First funded in 2009, the Second Chance Act mentoring

grant program supports nonprofit organizations and federally recognized Indian tribes providing mentoring, case management, and other transitional services to adults returning from prison and jail;

Second Chance Act mentoring grants are awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice, and provide up to $300,000 over a two year grant period;

Beginning in 2011, mentoring grants were available from BJA in two categories: adult mentoring, which can be used to serve any target population consistent with grant program requirements, and mentoring focused on promoting responsible parenting, which must be used to provide services to parents of minor children”

National Reentry Resource Center: Second Chance Act Mentoring Grant Program. (2014, January 1). Retrieved October 28, 2014, from http://csgjusticecenter.org/nrrc/second-chance-act-mentoring-grant-program/

Alabama Data 95% of the prison population in Alabama will be

released back into the community Approximately 1/3 of these individuals are likely

to recidivate within 3years Such recidivism rates burden a system where

facilities operate at about 190% of capacity, limiting the department’s ability to focus on effective reentry strategies

To assist ADOC’s efforts to improve reentry and coordinate with other agencies and community partners, ADOC was awarded grant funding through the Second Chance Act

Armstrong, P. (2013, October 13). Alabama State Leaders Explore Solutions to Reduce Recidivism. Retrieved October 12, 2014, from http://csgjusticecenter.org/jr/posts/alabama-state-leaders-explore-solutions-to-reduce-recidivism/

Current Alabama Data ADOC’s 2012 Annual Report: 32.6% of

individuals released in 2009 had returned to prison by 2012

Annual Recidivism Study for CY 2009 Releases Recidivist: Is defined by ADOC as an inmate who returns to State prison within three years of

release from ADOC Jurisdiction.

8 Evidence-Based Principles for Effective Intervention

1. Assess Actuarial Risk/Needs2. Enhance Intrinsic Motivation3. Target Interventions

Risk Principle: Prioritize supervision and treatment resources for higher risk offenders.

Need Principle: Target interventions to criminogenic needs. Responsivity Principle: Be responsive to temperament, learning style,

motivation, culture, and gender when assigning programs. Dosage: Structure 40-70% of high-risk offenders’ time for 3-9 months. Treatment Principle: Integrate treatment into the full

sentence/sanction requirements. 4. Skill Train with Directed Practice (i.e., CBT, MI)5. Increase Positive Reinforcement6. Engage Ongoing Support in Natural Communities7. Measure Relevant Processes/Practices.8. Provide Measurement Feedback

"National Institute of Corrections: Eight Evidence-based Principles for Effective Interventions." Corrections: NIC Principles. Web. 2 Nov. 2014. <http://www.state.me.us/corrections/PublicInterest/NICPrinciples.htm>.

What’s Working Counseling interventions had the largest

positive effects on recidivism decreasing it by 13%, followed by multiple coordinated services (12%), and skill building programs (12%); the most effective counseling interventions were group-based, mentoring focused, and those that had mixed combinations of various types of counseling (Lispsey, 2009)

What’s Working Mentoring4Success (Kansas Department of Corrections program)

Matched more than 4,000 released offenders with mentors in the last three years

Mission: connect inmates with a mentor at least six month before the end of their sentences; mentors offers advice and support during the first year of release to cut recidivism rates

The Kansas Department of Corrections has implemented measures such as job training, reading and higher education, as well as drug and alcohol treatment programs which have reduced the statewide recidivism rate by half in the last ten years.

Mentoring4Success program has cut Kansas’s already low recidivism rate by more than in half – in the year it’s been measured.

12 states have toured the Kansas DOC to learn about its mentoring program

Mentoring program cuts recidivism rates in Kansas prisons by half. (2014, July 16). Retrieved October 24, 2014, from http://fsrn.org/2014/07/mentoring-program-cuts-recidivism-rates-in-kansas-prisons-by-half/

What’s Working Prison Experience Workshop Program" (P.E.W.P.), Yuma,

Arizona An "inmate-on-inmate" peer-facilitated program, is actually

reducing recidivism Participants agree that the program is giving new meaning in life

and a better understanding of how to return to their communities as assets rather than liabilities

Since its inception in 2005, the PWEP has graduated hundreds of participants; survey conducted on 215 graduates who took the classes between 2006-2009 showed that of the 32 graduates released from custody, only 6 of them have re-offended and returned to prison (this makes the program average recidivism rate of approximately 19%)

81% success rate related to focus on life skills (effective communication, integrity, work ethics, and community betterment)

More resources: http://fromheretothestreets.org

Chiappetta, J. (2010, August 27). Why EworldwireTM. Retrieved November 3, 2014, from http://www.eworldwire.com/pressreleases/211829

What’s Working FOCUS (Facilitating Offenders Seeking Uplifting Situations) Offender Re-entry

Mentoring Program, Boulder County, Colorado “Every human being is valuable, and deserves a chance to make a reasonable and

stable life” Often the change process is not straightforward and linear; Change is

fundamentally difficult Intention: to build social capital within the community

Target population: male and female (18+) offenders transitioning from the Boulder County Jail Excludes: individuals with sustained histories of violence, individuals with profound

mental illness, and individuals with a history of sexual offenses; these individuals often require much more intensive and specialized care than the program could provide

Funding: primarily through foundations and public organizations; attempting to solicit more financial support in the form of donations from individuals

Recruitment/Matching: Staff members recruit both mentors and mentees through presentations at various congregations, community events, and within the jail. When an offender applies for the program, the application is screened by the organization’s  liaison at the jail for appropriateness for the program. If believed to be a match, staff attempts to create a connection with a waiting mentor

Mentor Requirements : age 25+, the ability to make a commitment of at least one year, the agreement to spend 1-2 hours/week with a mentee, and a commitment to holding a “nonjudgmental perspective; 15 hour initial volunteer training (consists of workshops and a 2hour orientation at the Boulder County Jail); Mentors receive ongoing, monthly training sessions

• Goals of the mentor-mentee relationship: to meet both the material and social needs of the mentee; overarching goal of using the relationship as a vessel to build social capital within the community

Coffman, C. (2012, April 1). Prisoner Reentry, Recidivism, and FOCUS Offender Re-entry Mentoring Program. Retrieved October 13, 2014, from http://focusreentry.org/coffman-level-2/coffman-prisoner-reentry-recidivism-and-focus-offender-re-entry-mentoring-program

What’s Working Training:

Motivational Interviewing (fundamentally nonaggressive and nonjudgmental): mentors make it clear to mentees that “you are driving the boat – I am only here to facilitate you in creating the life that you want;” mentor stresses a voluntary, creative relationship that can be ended at any time by either party; goal of the technique is to provide support and encouragement, while growing the self-esteem of the mentee.

Trends in Criminal Thinking workshop: educates mentors about the possibility that their mentee might have a totally different “social contract” than that to which they are accustomed; past offenders are often manipulative, impulsive, interested in short term gratification, and blind to the long-term consequences of their actions

Mental Illness and Substance Abuse in the Offender Population workshop: gives key information about the nature of these issues, and their prevalence in the offender population

The Art and Science of Resilience workshop: builds upon the idea of empowering another person so that they stop seeing themselves as a victim and start taking responsibility for their own lives

FOCUS Policies and Procedures workshop: prepares mentors with the organization’s expectations for the role of a mentor

Relationship: mentors meet their mentees for the first time while they are still incarcerated Mentors complete Needs Assessment with mentee Mentors also assist mentees in creating an Action Plan Mentors work to help secure basic needs, such as housing, ahead of release

Findings: Informal evaluations have revealed an 84% success rate (lack of recidivism) among mentees who have completed the program. Since its inception in 2005, approximately 20 people have successfully graduated from the program, as it remains relatively small.

Coffman, C. (2012, April 1). Prisoner Reentry, Recidivism, and FOCUS Offender Re-entry Mentoring Program. Retrieved October 13, 2014, from http://focusreentry.org/coffman-level-2/coffman-prisoner-reentry-recidivism-and-focus-offender-re-entry-mentoring-program

Coffman, C. (2012, April 1). Prisoner Reentry, Recidivism, and FOCUS Offender Re-entry Mentoring Program. Retrieved October 13, 2014, from http://focusreentry.org/coffman-level-2/coffman-prisoner-reentry-recidivism-and-focus-offender-re-entry-mentoring-program

Developing a Mentoring Program What’s the largest need? Beneficial components? Funding?

References Armstrong, P. (2013, October 13). Alabama State Leaders Explore Solutions to Reduce Recidivism.

Retrieved October 12, 2014, from http://csgjusticecenter.org/jr/posts/alabama-state-leaders-explore-solutions-to-reduce-recidivism/

Bhati, A. S. (2006). Studying the effects of incarceration on offending trajectories: An information-theoretic approach. NCJ 216639

Chiappetta, J. (2010, August 27). Why EworldwireTM. Retrieved November 3, 2014, from http://www.eworldwire.com/pressreleases/211829

Coffman, C. (2012, April 1). Prisoner Reentry, Recidivism, and FOCUS Offender Re-entry Mentoring Program. Retrieved October 13, 2014, from http://focusreentry.org/coffman-level-2/coffman-prisoner-reentry-recidivism-and-focus-offender-re-entry-mentoring-program

Lipsey, M. 2009. The primary factors that characterized effective interventions with juvenile offenders: A meta-analytic overview. Victims & Offenders: An International Journal of Evidence-based Research, Policy, and Practice. 4(2) 124-147.

Mentoring program cuts recidivism rates in Kansas prisons by half. (2014, July 16). Retrieved October 24, 2014, from http://fsrn.org/2014/07/mentoring-program-cuts-recidivism-rates-in-kansas-prisons-by-half/

"National Institute of Corrections: Eight Evidence-based Principles for Effective Interventions." Corrections: NIC Principles. Web. 2 Nov. 2014. <http://www.state.me.us/corrections/PublicInterest/NICPrinciples.htm>.

National Reentry Resource Center: Second Chance Act Mentoring Grant Program. (2014, January 1). Retrieved October 28, 2014, from http://csgjusticecenter.org/nrrc/second-chance-act-mentoring-grant-program/

Why Recidivism Is a Core Criminal Justice Concern. (2008, October 3). Retrieved November 1, 2014, from http://www.nij.gov/topics/corrections/recidivism/Pages/core-concern.aspx

Research and Planning Division, Alabama Department of Corrections (2012). Annual report for the fiscal year 2012.

Recidivism. (2014, June 17). Retrieved November 1, 2014, from http://www.nij.gov/topics/corrections/recidivism/Pages/welcome.aspx