This report presents the results of an evaluation of efforts to improve reentry rates for ex-offenders in San Diego County, California.
This report presents the results of the third annual evaluation of San Diego County's efforts to improve ex-offender reentry rates. The program evaluated is the Senate Bill (SB) 618 San Diego Prisoner Reentry Program which uses best practices to provide tangible reentry support services to increase ex-offender's changes of successful reintegration into the community. Major findings from the process evaluation include the following: good communication and strong collaboration have been keys to the success of the program; participant needs are assessed within the specified timeframe increasing the time available for rehabilitative services; 78 percent of participants in treatment received services while in prison and 69 percent received services in the community in the 6-month period following release from prison. The evaluation also included an impact evaluation. This evaluation found that participants were more likely to be employed 6 moths post release and to have lower rates of rearrest than the comparison group, as well as lower rates of substance abuse and improved social support and housing opportunities. The final section of the report discusses the lessons learned from implementation of SB 618 which can be used as a guide for other localities considering implementation of similar programs. A set of recommendations for use by local authorities is also included in the final section of the report. Tables, figures, appendixes, and references