What is the Effectiveness of Occupation-based Reentry Programs in Reducing Recidivism for Previously or Currently Incarcerated Individuals?​

Abstract

Currently and formerly incarcerated individuals are those who are or were previously confined to a federal, state or local penitentiary, prison, jail, reformatory, work farm, juvenile justice facility or other correctional institution secondary to a criminal conviction or other legal offense. Compared to other countries, the United States experiences the highest rates of incarceration as evidenced by economic spending of nearly $182 billion each year with 2 million individuals incarcerated at any given time. The preceding high rates of incarceration negatively impact society on a financial level, regarding federal spending and healthcare costs related to common diagnoses of those incarcerated, familial level, and community level regarding safety. The purpose of this analysis was to critically appraise various types of occupation-based reentry programs for previously or currently incarcerated individuals to determine which programs were most effective in reducing recidivism and promoting successful reintegration into society. Outcome measures included records of reincarceration, rearrest, substance use, and continued participation in criminal activity. The analysis revealed that multimodal reentry programs did not significantly reduce recidivism and were inconclusive. Reentry programs focused on either employment training or role fulfillment for incarcerated parents as a single intervention demonstrated significant reductions in recidivism rates following reentry into society. All interventions warrant further research and investigation regarding costs, specific protocols, and time constraints required to make interventions meaningful and sustainable