What Works in Resettlement?: Findings From Seven Pathfinders for Short-Term Prisoners in England and Wales

• NCJ Number: 217475
• Journal: Criminology & Criminal Justice: An International Journal Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2007 Pages: 33-53
• Author(s): Sam Lewis; Mike Maquire; Peter Raynor; Maurice Vanstone; Julie Vennard
• Date Published: February 2007
• Length: 21 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

This article presents findings from an evaluation of Phase One of the resettlement (reintegration) project Pathfinder, which was funded by the United Kingdom’s (UK’s) Home Office Crime Reduction Programme.

Abstract

The findings indicated that Pathfinder projects could significantly reduce the challenges encountered by adults sentenced to prison for less than 12 months and therefore not subject to post-release supervision programs. Results further suggested that participants in Pathfinder interventions reported positive changes to their attitudes about crime and had lower reconviction rates. These findings were most pronounced among participants who maintained contact with their mentors following their release from prison. The findings have bearing on the UK’s current resettlement agenda, which includes plans to possibly cut the introduction of the “Custody Plus” resettlement program. Such cuts, the authors argue, would have potentially adverse outcomes for interventions seeking to work with short-term prisoners. The authors also question whether probation staff will have the motivation and energy to achieve and maintain the skills necessary to undertake effective resettlement work in an environment characterized by insufficient resources and demoralization. The evaluation focused on the effectiveness of the Pathfinder projects in addressing the resettlement needs of short-term adult prisoners and in reducing their rates of reconviction. The evaluation explored the process of delivering resettlement services, the resettlement needs of short-term prisoners, and the impact of the Pathfinder projects on resettlement challenges and attitudes toward offending. Interviews were conducted with project managers, staff, and 139 participating offenders. The attitudes and outcomes experienced by project participants were examined using the detailed case management records of 1,081 participating offenders and 74 participant-completed questionnaires. One-year reconviction data on participants was obtained from the Home Office Offenders Index. Outcomes of the Pathfinder projects were examined using both bivariate and multivariate analyses. Tables, notes, references