NCJ Number
103468
Date Published
1985
Length
93 pages
Annotation
This study describes the prerelease and postrelease programs of Virginia's Community Action Reentry System (CARES), which is funded under the State's Pre- and Postincarceration Services Program, and analyzes the impact of these programs on client recidivism.
Abstract
The description of CARES programs includes history, program design, number and types of clients, and the nature of the services provided. CARES provides prerelease training in a majority of the State's prisons, and centralized postrelease services are frequently used by probation and parole offices. The job development and employment placement services are among CARES' most valuable services. During the past 3 years, CARES has expanded prerelease and postrelease activities commensurate with increased funding. The evaluation of CARES activities obtained data from CARES' records; probation and parole records; and interviews with CARES staff, corrections personnel, and probation and parole personnel. Recidivism, defined as recommitment to a corrections institution, was examined by comparing samples of CARES clients and samples of other parolees released during the same periods. A total of 184 clients and 184 nonclients were examined for recidivism over July 1, 1981 to December 31, 1982. The recidivism rates of a sample of 240 clients and a sample of 241 nonclients were determined for July 1, 1983 to June 30, 1984. Neither of the comparisons showed a significant difference between the recidivism rates of client and nonclient samples. Supporting the view that recidivism should not be the only criterion for measuring program effectiveness, the report recommends continued State support for CARES. 21 tables, appended study instruments, and CARES' written response to the evaluation report.