New Jersey Halfway Back Program
Problems addressed
Effectiveness

Promising

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Promising

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Life periods served
Where the program was applied
Country of application
Description

This is a program for monitoring individuals who have violated their probation or who are on a special condition of probation. This is an alternative to reincarceration, halfway between prison and supervised release.
The admission process includes orientation and assessments to identify the needs of each participant, directing them to specific services, such as intensive substance use treatment programs; relapse prevention; job preparation, placement, and vocational training; financial management skills; anger management techniques; mental health services; gang deprogramming; and family restructuring.

Impact evaluations

An impact evaluation showed that program participants had statistically significant reductions in recidivism rates after release from prison compared to the control group, which did not receive the program (59% versus 79%, respectively); 59% of program participants were convicted again compared to 61% of the control group; 17% were reincarcerated compared to 46% of the control group.

Bibliographic reference

[1] Ostermann, M. (2009). An Analysis of New Jersey's Day Reporting Center and Halfway Back Programs: Embracing the Rehabilitative Ideal Through Evidence Based Practices. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 48(2), 139–153. https://doi.org/10.1080/10509670802640958

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