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Subgroups
The study included seven sites, each of which used tailored random assignment and enrollment procedures. Across all sites, people were eligible to participate in the study if they were age 18 or older, had been convicted of a crime as an adult, were currently or had been recently imprisoned, and were classified as having a medium or high risk of recidivism (each site used a different assessment). Sites also selected a specific target population based on demographic characteristics (such as men, women, or people age 30 or younger), type of incarceration facility, expected time to release, and the community or neighborhood to which the individual was returning. Individuals were identified by referrals from probation or parole partners, word of mouth, flyers distributed in facilities to generate inmate interest, or lists of eligible participants generated by program staff using a full roster of inmates. After attending an information session, being confirmed as eligible, and agreeing to participate in the study, people were randomly assigned either to the intervention or the comparison group. Random assignment probabilities varied across sites. A total of 966 people were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (606) or the comparison group (360) from December 2011 to March 2013.
Evaluators randomly assigned people into groups for the study from December 2011 to March 2013. The study reports employment and earnings impacts up to two years after random assignment.
National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.
The study examined formerly incarcerated people. Within the full sample, 86 percent of study participants had been incarcerated as of random assignment, and half had been incarcerated five or more times before random assignment. Most were male (79 percent), and 51 percent were White, 32 percent were African American, 10 percent were Hispanic, and 14 percent were American Indian or Alaska Native. Half were age 30 or younger, and one quarter were older than 40. One-quarter lacked a high school diploma or equivalent certificate, and 6 percent had attended college. Most (92 percent) had been employed in the past.
Lead implementors varied by site and included state departments of correction, local human services agencies, local health agencies, and a sheriff's office. Some services were also provided in partnership with corrections agencies, departments of correction, nonprofit organizations, departments of public health, community colleges, and other local agencies.
The program was newly developed, but the services expanded on existing reentry services offered by the implementing agencies.
Seven sites participated in the SCA Adult Demonstration, with each providing somewhat different services to the people in the intervention group. All sites provided case management and this served as the cornerstone service for six of the seven sites. Three sites provided education and training; six sites provided employment assistance, such as job search and placement assistance, resume and interview skills development, and soft-skills training; six sites provided substance abuse treatment services; five sites provided cognitive behavioral therapy, with three also providing additional mental health services; six sites provided services to encourage pro-social behavior, such as parenting classes or stress and anger management services; and five sites provided housing assistance or other supportive services. The program focused on currently incarcerated people and those who were recently released. Six sites served people before and after release, and one site served people only after their release.
People in the comparison group did not have full access to SCA case management or the other services provided by SCA, though they did have access to regular correctional system services and could attend workshops and other services provided by SCA to the public. In two sites, prerelease SCA services were available to many people in the comparison group, although preference was given to (1) people with a court order to participate in the services and (2) those in the intervention group. In all other sites, prerelease SCA services, except for case management, were generally available to the comparison group.
None.
Most participants received services for more than six months (62 percent), and about one-quarter received services for more than one year.
U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance.
The program took place in seven sites, located in Allegheny County, PA; San Francisco, CA; San Mateo County, CA; Marion County, OR; Kentucky; Oklahoma; and South Dakota. Service provision occurred while people were incarcerated and after their release.
Recidivism, Housing, Health, Substance use, Child support