Getting Out and Staying Out: Improving Offender ReEntry Outcomes

1. S. Doug Lemon, Psy.D. Getting Out and Staying Out: Improving Offender ReEntryOutcomes

2. The views expressed in this presentation do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. government, the U.S. Department of Justice, or the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

3. overview

4. Why focus on reentry?

5. Save time and money information sharing collaboration reduced duplication of effort Reduce the likelihood that a released inmate will commit a new crime Reduced recidivism increases public safety Addresses community issues such as homelessness, addiction, public health, and mental illness Benefits of reentry programming

6. 2 million people incarcerated in the U.S. One out of every 100 Americans 1 of every 31 Americans is incarcerated, on probation, or on parole Source: The Pew Center THE SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM

7. THE SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM

8. Local governments spent $109 million on criminal justice in 2006 (U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics) States spend $52 billion annually, mostly on prisons (The PEW Center) 2011 budget request for federal prisons, probation, detention, and courthouse security was $9 billion (U.S. Department of Justice) THE SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM

9. 600,000 released from prison each year (Hughes and Wilson, 2003) After 3 years, 43% return (The PEW center, 2011) 95% return to our communities. The scope of the problem

11. We need to be focusing on doing what works to reduce recidivism and to prepare offenders for a successful reentry into society. Reentry and reducing recidivism

12. “ those who violate the law and victimize others must be held accountable…for the long-term protection of the community, sentencing and corrections should be using the lessons of research to shape practices that reduce offenders’ likelihood of committing crimes and victimizing their fellow citizens in the future…in light of the harsh fiscal realities of the day, both goals must be pursued through the wise use of public resources.” (Nat’l Institute of Corrections) The current situation

13. 68 percent abusing or dependent on alcohol or drugs 44 percent without high school diploma or GED 30 percent unemployed prior to arrest 16 percent suffer from serious mental health problems 44 percent homeless in year prior to arrest 72 percent of mentally ill inmates have a substance abuse problem (Bureau of Justice Statistics) What research tells us about offenders

14. exercise

17. Cognitive Map The offender’s worldview

20. Changing behavior won’t work Changing attitude won’t work Must change the map! The offender’s worldview

22. FINISHED FILES ARE THE RESULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTIFIC STUDY COMBINED WITH THE EXPERIENCE OF MANY EXPERTS. Exercise

25. Resistance Denial Change is threatening

26. D on’t E ven N otice I A m L ying denial

28. comfort zones

29. What do we really think about the offenders we work with? What do we believe about their ability to change? What do we believe about our ability to help them change? Our worldview

30. If we believe inmates are just a bunch of losers who can’t change, are we really going to work to reach out to them? Our worldview

31. We can only control our part of the equation We stoke offender resistance with our negative attitudes Their comfort zone includes arguing about their belief systems Our typical interventions

32. Listen Show RESPECT Firm, Fair, Consistent Hold them accountable Own what you teach Crawl into their minds Create environment where offender can be real with you, and you with him/her Effective communication with offenders

33. In short, be more of an Andy Griffith than a Barney Fife Effective communication with offenders

34. Offender isn’t challenged this way in his usual social network. You may be the only person challenging his/her belief system in a nonthreatening way. Effective communication with offenders

35. Every man is my superior, in that I may learn from him. -Thomas Carlyle Effective communication with offenders

36. “I gave it my best” Effective communication with offenders

37. Evidence-based practice Best practices What works?

38. Principles of evidence-based correctional practice: Objectively assess criminogenic needs/risks Enhance intrinsic motivation Target higher-risk offenders Address greatest criminogenic needs Use cognitive-behavioral interventions Determine dosage/intensity of services What works

39. Target behaviors that reduce crime Be responsive to the offender’s style What works

40. Instruments may include: LSI-R LS-RNR LSCMI COMPAS Specialized instruments ASSESSMENT OF CRIMINOGENIC NEEDS

41. Identifies problem areas Predicts recidivism risk 54 items Completed by trained assessors Interview offenders Attempt to verify information with records Lsi-r

42. History of antisocial behavior/thinking Antisocial associates/family Lack of contact with prosocial others Substance abuse Weak socialization Egocentric/lack of empathy Impulsivity Poor problem-solving and coping skills Criminogenic risk/needs factors

43. Lack of achievement in “legit” society Not involved in prosocial leisure activities Criminogenic risk/needs factors

44. Amount of CBT intervention required: High-risk offenders: 300+ hrs. Moderate-risk: 200+ hrs. Low-risk: 100 hrs. What works

45. During the first few months post-release: 40-70% of offenders’ time should be structured (Bourgon and Armstrong, 2006; Latessa, 2004; Gendreau and Goggin, 1995) What works

46. Are based on research & sound theory Have leadership Assess offenders using risk &need assessment instruments Target crime producing behaviors Use effective treatment models Vary treatment & services based on risk, needs, & responsivity factors Disrupt criminal networks Have qualified, experienced, dedicated & educated staff Provide aftercare Evaluate what they do Are stable & have sufficient resources &support Programs that work (Latessa, university of cincinnati)

47. A recent meta-analysis found: CBT reduced recidivism by 25% Some programs reduced it by 50% What works

48. Best results : 2+ sessions/week Staff trained in CBT Implementation monitored Higher risk offenders CBT combined with other services *Landenberger, N, and M. Lispey (2005). The Positive Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Programs for Offenders: A Meta Analysis of Factors Associated with Effective Treatment. Journal of Experimental Criminology. What works

49. Community involvement Assist with training offenders Serve as mentors Invite successful ex-felons to speak/serve as mentors/role models/AA or NA sponsors Conduct a job fair for newly released offenders Identify community service opportunities to assist with establishing real work experience What works? Reach in-reach out

50. Community involvement: Establish a clothes closet Organize a Health Fair, Dress for Success Fair Provide tutoring Sponsor one newly released offender for a year Organize transportation to critical appointments Write letters to or visit inmates What works?