Free Report Example: Evaluating Long-Term Effects of Prisoner Re-Entry Services on Recidivism

Introduction

The research by Visher, Lattimore, Barrick, and Tueller (2017) aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of the available prisoner re-entry services on recidivism to determine which of the offered services mattered. The research involved analyzing data collected for a multi-site evaluation of twelve prisoner re-entry programs in twelve different states to determine the impact that the pre-release services on re-entry into the society time to re-arrests and a number of future arrests after undergoing the services. The research found that involvement in the re-entry programs was associated with extended time to arrests and a reduced number of arrests after release from prison. Nevertheless, it was determined that specific services given as part of the program had modest and inconsistent recidivism impacts. Additionally, the research found that more focused services on individual change were more beneficial than those that focused on particular needs and skills. Following these findings, it was recommended that practitioners need to carefully consider sequencing the program and service delivery in the prison setting, link the in-prison services to the post-release assistance, and evaluate all the programs and services for effectiveness and fidelity. This will help in the success of the prisoner re-entry services by reducing re-arrests, increased time to future arrests, and effective assimilation into society.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

The Purpose of the Research

There is an increase in incarceration in the modern world, which has led to recidivism, whereby people tend to commit crimes after being released from prison. Therefore, various programs and services have been put into place to ensure that there are reduced cases of crimes committed by people released from prisons, enhance assimilation into society after serving a sentence, and extend the time to the next arrest. Therefore, this research by Visher et al., (2017) aimed at evaluating the long-term effects of the available prisoner re-entry services on recidivism to determine which of the offered services mattered.

The Type of Study

This study is evaluative. The research is involved in evaluating the long-term effects of prisoner re-entry services on recidivism to determine which services matter. Evaluative research is also referred to as program evaluation, whereby the research focuses on the purpose rather than any specific method. Evaluative research involves a systematic assessment of the worth or merit of an effort, money, time, and resources spent to achieve a certain goal. The study done by Visher et al. (2017) was developed to determine if prisoner re-entry services and programs affect recidivism. The evaluation aims to either uphold or downplay the importance of the prisoner re-entry services and programs by determining their importance by analyzing the prisoner outcomes after undertaking them. Evaluative research, like the one done in this case, is a type of applied research aimed at having real-world effects. Many methods, such as surveys and experiments, are usually applied in doing the evaluation research. The research on prisoner re-entry services and programs has real-world effects as it determines the activities that occur in a real-world setting. The research has made recommendations such as; ensuring that the involved parties sequence the program and service delivery in the prison setting, linking the in-prison services to the post-release assistance, and evaluating all the programs and services for effectiveness and fidelity hence having a real-world effect. Therefore, evaluative research, such as the one carried out by Visher et al. (2017), enhances knowledge and decision making hence coming up with practical recommendations and applications.

Reference

Visher, C. A., Lattimore, P. K., Barrick, K., & Tueller, S. (2017). Evaluating the long-term effects of prisoner reentry services on recidivism: What types of services matter? Justice Quarterly, 34(1), 136-165. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07418825.2015.1115539