Criminal justice is a complicated and intricate subject. While the U.S. has the largest prison population in the world, efforts are being taken in several states to reduce recidivism (recidivism is defined as an individual committing crimes after release from a period of incarceration and thus being made to return to prison). Such efforts ensure that formerly incarcerated individuals have the tools and support they need to re-enter civilian life and become productive members of society. This article highlights two states and one city that implemented successful reentry programs for inmates who’ve completed their prison term.

New York City Implements Aftercare Program for Older Adults Adjusting to Life Outside Prison

“It’s been very overwhelming, to say the least – something as simple as using a phone or riding the trains, interacting with family and just people in general. It’s a work in progress.” Those are the words of Daniel, a formerly incarcerated 56-year-old who returned to civilian life in Brooklyn after 25 years in prison. Daniel and others like him now have access to a relatively new program run by the Osborne Association, a criminal justice-focused services provider and advocacy group in NYC. The program has served 388 New Yorkers since its launch in 2015.¹

“It’s been very overwhelming, to say the least – something as simple as using a phone or riding the trains, interacting with family and just people in general. It’s a work in progress.”

The program helps prisoners age 50 and older who will soon be up for parole. “What we do best is provide a steady arm for them as they’re navigating going to parole board and transitioning from prison to the community,” says Laura Roan, the program’s manager. Roan describes the program as designed to help elderly incarcerated persons transition out of prison and into their communities by providing them with job opportunities, housing, medical care, drug treatment, employment training, and legal services.²

The NYC program helps older inmates transition back into civilian life, a critical resource for New Yorkers. Every major U.S. city will need such a program, as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services predicts the share of state and federal prisoners ages 55 and older will grow from about 11% in 2015 to more than 30% by 2030.³

Virginia Implements Prisoner Reentry Program to Improve Quality of Life for the Formerly Incarcerated

Virginia, tied with South Carolina for the lowest recidivism rate in the country, is known for the success of its prisoner reentry programs. Virginia’s Prisoner Reentry Program, called the Prerelease and Post Incarceration Services Program (PAPSIS), is designed to provide state-wide services for offenders preparing to transition from incarceration life to life outside prison.⁴

Services offered for offenders in Virginia include assessment, reentry and transition planning, training, counseling, mentoring, tutoring, information, and job referral. Former offenders who take part in training programs will receive help in job readiness and employment skills, job retention, budgeting, consumer skills, family relationships, and transition expectations. As a part of each offender’s assessment, they will also receive tailor-made counseling, support, and various resources based on that offender’s needs.⁵

Washington State Launches Several Reentry Programs to Support Recently Released Offenders

Washington State has the 14th lowest recidivism rate in the country, which it achieved recently due to implementing several post-incarceration programs for former offenders. In a way, Washington State has paved the way for other states by setting an example of how to establish prisoner reentry programs in both urban and rural counties. Washington’s goal has been to ensure that all offenders across the state have access to reentry services, no matter the offender’s crime, location, prison term, age, gender, or health condition.⁶

The United States Attorney’s Officer for the Western District of Washington describes the mission statement of the state’s reentry department as follows: “A primary focus of our reentry efforts is to remove or reduce barriers to successful reentry, so that motivated individuals – who have served their time and paid their debt to society – are able to compete for a job, attain stable housing, support their children and their families, and contribute to their communities.” That source went on to list just a few of the programs within Washington’s umbrella of reentry services, including:⁷

• DREAM Court
• Warrants Initiative
• Community Partnerships
• The Indian County Program
• United States Probation Office’s Evidence-Based Practices Executive Committee

Each program listed above is designed to serve the unique needs of former offenders in Washington who are about to transition back into civilian life.

Reentry Programs Reduce Recidivism

Formerly incarcerated people are more likely to live crime-free lives if they have support post-incarceration.⁸ This view is supported by several criminal justice reform groups and the United States Department of Justice. According to the U.S. DOJ, a major risk factor for recidivism in the United States is former prisoners who experience a lack of resources that aid and support prosocial integration into the community. When former offenders do have access to such services, their risk for recidivism declines.⁹

In the above examples in New York City, Virginia, and Washington State, there is a clear connection between increasing opportunities and providing resources for formerly incarcerated persons and a drop in recidivism. Every U.S. state, county, and city should take it upon themselves to implement post-incarceration programs for former offenders. When individuals have transition support and empowering resources after they leave prison or jail, they are far less likely to resume a life of crime.

Sources:

1. ONY. “Transforming Lives, Communities, and the Criminal Legal System.” Osborne New York City, 2023. osborneny.org
2. USNews. “A Better Return for Older Prisoners.” U.S. News, 2019. usnews.com
3. HHS. “Aging, Reentry, and Health Coverage: Barrier Stop Medicare and Medicaid for Older Reentrants.” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation Office of Disability, Aging and Long-Term Care Policy, 2018. aspe.hhs.gov
4. VADOC. “Virginia’s Recidivism Rate Among the Lowest in the Country.” Virginia Department of Corrections, 2022. vadoc.virginia.gov
5. VDCJS. “PAPIS: Virginia Prisoner Reentry Program.” Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, 2023. dcjs.virginia.gov
6. WPR. “Recidivism Rates by State.” World Population Review, 2023. worldpopulationreview.com
7. USAO. “Reentry Program.” United States Attorney’s Office, 2023. justice.gov
8. PPI. “Recidivism and Reentry: What makes people more or less likely to succeed upon release?” Prison Policy Institute, 2023. prisonpolicy.org
9. COPS. “A Second Chance: The Impact of Unsuccessful Reentry and the Need for Reintegration Resources in Communities.” The Community Soliciting Dispatch, 2022. cops.usdoj.gov