NCJ Number
248745
Date Published
February 2015
Length
43 pages
Annotation
This report presents the methodology, findings, and implications for policy and practice of the evaluation of the 2013 Illinois Community Violence Prevention Program's (CVPP's) Reentry Program, one of three components of the CVPP.
Abstract
The Reentry Program provides services to youth and young adults on parole in 12 Chicago communities to help them transition from incarceration into their communities, with the goal of reducing their recidivism. Based on interviews with 15 program case managers, this exploratory study focused on program operations and areas for improvement, rather than on recidivism outcomes. The evaluation found that case managers typically had between 15 and 20 clients, who entered the program through referrals by parole officers and aftercare specialists. Case managers rarely met with clients before their release from prison. Many case managers did not do formal assessments of clients, but all case managers created a service or case plan with clients. Case managers viewed their role as that of friendly advisor and coordinator of client participation in community services unavailable through the Illinois Department of Corrections or the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice. Common services to which clients were referred related to education; housing; employment; and applications for government assistance related to health services, legal assistance, financial assistance, and transportation. Services related to mentoring, money management, and domestic violence were less common. Based on the data obtained by evaluators and their review of evidence-based research on reentry programming, this report recommends improving case manager training, using standardized screening and assessment tools with clients, improving data collection, meeting with clients prior to release from incarceration, and improving communication and coordination with parole and aftercare staff. 4 tables, 25 references, and appended evaluation instruments