Allegheny County (PA) Jail-Based Reentry Specialist Program
Problems addressed
Recidivism
Effectiveness

Effective

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Effective

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Life periods served
Adults (18 to 59 years)
Where the program was applied
Prisons or socio-educational residential centers
Community (streets or community centers)
Country of application
United States
Description

This is a social reintegration program with the aim of reducing recidivism and improving the transition of those released from the prison system into the community.
The program includes two phases:
1) The first phase provides inmates with five months of preparation for their release, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy sessions.
2) The second phase provides up to 12 months of support services in the community.

Impact evaluations

An impact evaluation showed that the program led to a statistically significant reduction in the likelihood of future arrests. Program participants had a 10% chance of being arrested again compared to 34% in the control group, which did not receive the intervention. The study had a quasi-experimental design with a total of 305 prisoners assisted by the program [1].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Buck Willison, J., Bieler, S. & Kim, K. (2014). Evaluation of the Allegheny County Jail Collaborative Reentry Programs: Findings and Recommendations. Urban Institute. https://www.urban.org/research/publication/evaluation-allegheny-county-…

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