Community Corrections Centers, Parolees, and Recidivism: An Investigation Into the Characteristics of Effective Reentry Programs in Pennsylvania, Executive Summary

• NCJ Number: 230509
• Author(s): Edward J. Latessa, Ph.D.; Christopher T. Lowenkamp, Ph.D.; Kristin Bechtel, M.S.
• Date Published: November 2009
• Length: 4 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2004/2005-DS/JG-19/06-16505
• Sponsoring Agency: Pennsylvania Cmssn on Crime and Delinquency
• Sale Source: Pennsylvania Cmssn on Crime and Delinquency
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: See NCJ-230510 for the Final Report

Annotation

This study examined which community corrections centers in Pennsylvania were effective in reducing recidivism.

Abstract

This executive summary provides an overview of the results of a study examining which community correction centers were most effective in reducing recidivism in Pennsylvania. The study also identified which individual and program level characteristics were more likely to produce significant reductions in recidivism. A total of 54 programs were evaluated and scored and rated on program content and capacity based on the Evidence Based Correctional Program Checklist (CPC). The study found that of the 54 sites, 93 percent were ineffective or needed improvement. Of the two types of facilities examined, the community contract facilities (CCFs) offered more treatment programs than the community corrections centers (CCCs), yet the CCC programs had lower rates of recidivism than the CCF programs. Limitations of the study are discussed along with recommendations for future research.