Posts Tagged ‘reducing recidivism’
House Committee Takes “First Step” on Prison Reform
The House Judiciary Committee on May 9 approved, by a 25-5 margin, the Formerly Incarcerated Reenter Society Transformed Safely Transitioning Every Person Act (H.R. 5682), known for short as the “First Step” Act. Sponsored by Reps. Doug Collins (R-GA) and Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), the measure is a pared-down revision of the Prison Reform and Corrections Act…
Read MorePrison Reform and Redemption Act Aims to Reduce Recidivism and Help Pregnant Inmates
By Christopher Zoukis In July 2017, congress introduced the Prison Reform and Redemption Act – H.R.3356 — 115th Congress (2017-2018). Intended as a bill to guide the Department of Justice in the creation and use of a Post-Sentencing Risk and Needs Assessment System for the Bureau of Prisons (BOP). The assessment system looks closely at…
Read MoreWashington State Names Former Inmate to Head Reentry Council
By Christopher Zoukis Although it has a relatively low incarceration rate, Washington State still saw nearly a third of inmates released from its prisons in 2012 wind up re-incarcerated within the next three years, according to state corrections officials. For juvenile recidivism, the rate was even higher: among youths released in 2013, more than half…
Read MoreNot So Hard Time: How Some Inmates Find Success Post-release
The U.S. may have the worst recidivism rate in the world at 76.6 percent, but that doesn’t mean the system has failed every prisoner. There are a handful of inspiring stories about some that went to jail and used their time to turn their lives around, got out, and made lasting differences in their communities.…
Read MoreNorth Carolina Prisons Add Technology to Rehabilitation Toolbox
By Christopher Zoukis There are more than 37,000 inmates in 55 prison facilities in North Carolina. Each year, more than 20,000 inmates are released. In fact, 98% of the entire country’s inmates will be released at some point in the future. And increasingly, a wide variety of rehabilitative programs are being offered to ensure that…
Read MoreFolsom Prison Programs Improve Lives Inside and Outside its Walls
By Christopher Zoukis Johnny Cash may have talked about time “draggin’ on” at Folsom Prison in his ’60s-era hit song, but times at California’s second oldest prison have changed. Folsom State Prison first opened in 1880 and has come a distance from its harsh, punitive roots, increasingly offering a wide range of rehabilitation and re-entry…
Read MoreFlorida Community Initiative Supports Female Prisoners and Ex-Prisoners
A forward-thinking group in Florida is helping women both in and outside of prison to empower themselves and help better their lives and families, after recognizing that many of their needs were not being met in the community. The Red Tent Women’s Initiative was inspired by Anita Diamant’s novel The Red Tent, which follows the…
Read MoreHelp Reduce Crime Through Treatment, Not Charges
By Christopher Zoukis Utah has become the latest state push for treatment — not prison — for minor offenses, as part of an effort to offer those who without serious criminal histories and people with substance abuse and mental health issues a chance at turning their lives around. While Utah was already making strides in state…
Read MoreUK Prison Reform a Step Toward Reducing Recidivism
By Christopher Zoukis UK Prime Minister David Cameron has offered a far-reaching proposal for improving what he describes as the “scandalous” failure of the English and Welsh prison system. Calling his plan the biggest overhaul to the national corrections system since the Victorian era, Cameron said he is the first prime minister to speak on…
Read MoreReal reform only possible through prison education
PRISON EDUCATION IS THE ONLY REAL SOLUTION FOR OUR BROKEN CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM. By Christopher Zoukis Every week, it seems, we hear a little bit more about the sweeping reforms needed to fix America’s broken criminal justice system. It’s encouraging to hear acknowledgement by U.S. government leaders – President Barack Obama, even – that the ‘lock…
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