Book•
But They All Come Back: Facing the Challenges of Prisoner Reentry
12 Apr 2005-
TL;DR: Travis as mentioned in this paper proposes organizing the criminal justice system around five principles of reentry to encourage change and spur innovation, and argues that the impact of returning prisoners on families and communities has been largely overlooked.
Abstract: As our justice system has embarked upon one of our time's greatest social experiments?responding to crime by expanding prisons?we have forgotten the iron law of imprisonment: they all come back. In 2002, more than 630,000 individuals left federal and state prisons. Thirty years ago, only 150,000 did. In the intense political debate over America's punishment policies, the impact of these returning prisoners on families and communities has been largely overlooked. In But They All Come Back, Jeremy Travis continues his pioneering work on the new realities of punishment in America vis-a-vis public safety, families and children, work, housing, public health, civic identity, and community capacity. Travis proposes organizing the criminal justice system around five principles of reentry to encourage change and spur innovation.
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01 Sep 2008
TL;DR: In this article, a comprehensive guide to analyzing and responding to racial disparities in the criminal justice system is provided, along with strategies for addressing disparities at each stage of the system, as well as seventeen best practices illustrating practitioner approaches for enhancing fairness.
Abstract: In this comprehensive guide to analyzing and responding to racial disparities in the criminal justice system, we provide strategies for addressing disparities at each stage of the system, as well as seventeen 'best practices' illustrating practitioner approaches for enhancing fairness.
52 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors identify a po ten tia l social cost o f mass incarceration, wich, if large, can negate th e conventional u tilitarian benefit-cost argument in its favor.
Abstract: A L T H O U G H T H E P R I S O N W A S O R IG IN A L L Y C O N C E I V E D F O R T H E N O B LE purpose of rehabilitating crim inal offenders, critics from its very incep tion worried th a t th e cure was worse th an the disease (Rothman 2005 [1971]; Garland 1993).' In m od em parlance they regarded the prison as an inheren tly crim inogenic institu tion, w hich reinforces the crim inal behaviors of its occupants. This line o f criticism is m ost relevant today, w hen a po ten t rationale for cu rren t US crim inal justice policies, w hich I te rm mass incarceration, is th e public safety benefits from incapaci tating actual offenders and deterring potential ones (see, for example, Levitt, 2004). If th e prison experience actually hardens inm ates in to m ore serious offenders, th en the incapacitation effect is a t best transi tory (see also Freeman, 1995; 36 and Blumstein, 1998; 130-31; on deter re n t effects, see Nagin, 1998, Spelm an, 2000, and W estern, 2006). As Jerem y Travis (2005) fervently rem inds us, th e vast m ajority of inm ates “all come back” to th e ir com m unities and so can in principle perpetrate m ore harm th an they com m itted prior to th e ir initial incarceration. This classic argum en t identifies a po ten tia l social cost o f mass incarceration, w hich, if large, can negate th e conventional u tilitarian benefit-cost argum ent in its favor. To elaborate my point, consider the
52 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the effectiveness of interventions for incarcerated women and found that psychological-oriented interventions and substance abuse programs improve mental health symptoms and substance use among participants as compared to control or comparison groups.
Abstract: Objective: To examine the effectiveness of interventions for incarcerated women. Method: The researchers use a two-model system: the risk-reduction model for studies analyzing interventions to reduce recidivism rates, and the enhancement model for studies that target psychological and physical well-being. Results: Incarcerated women who participate in substance abuse interventions appear less likely to reoffend than those who do not participate. Enhancement model studies report mixed results. Overall, psychological-oriented interventions and substance abuse programs improve mental health symptoms and substance use among participants as compared to control or comparison groups. Results for HIV prevention programs are ambiguous, and parenting skill programs show no significant effect. Conclusion: Results highlight interventions that appear useful with female inmates. More rigorous research is needed to address many of these evidence-based interventions.
51 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the basic paradox of workforce development policy is discussed: in an era in which skills are more important than ever as determinants of labor market earnings, we spend fewer and fewer public (federal) dollars on workforce development over time.
Abstract: In this paper I note the basic paradox of workforce development policy: that, in an era in which skills are more important than ever as determinants of labor market earnings, we spend fewer and fewer public (federal) dollars on workforce development over time. I present trends in funding and how the major federal programs at the Department of Labor and other agencies have evolved over time, noting the dramatic declines in funding (with the exception of Pell grants). I then review what we know about the cost-effectiveness of programs for adults and youth from the evaluation literature. I consider some other possible reasons for funding declines, such as the notion that other approaches (like supplementing the low earnings of workers with tax credits or early childhood programs) are more effective and address more serious problems. I review some newer developments in workforce policy, mostly at the state and local levels, and then conclude with some policy recommendations.
51 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors identify and summarize treatment effects for children and adolescent conduct problems based on accrued meta-analytic studies, and demonstrate evidence for equifinality across a number of interrelated outcomes.
Abstract: Objective: The present study identifies and summarizes treatment effects for children and adolescent conduct problems based on accrued meta-analytic studies. Method: Systematic search and coding procedures were used to summarize studies from 1980 to 2007. Results: A total of 26 meta-analytic reviews composed of nearly 2,000 studies revealed substantial variation in effect sizes. The majority (45%) of effect sizes was small to medium in magnitude (d < .36). In terms of the distribution of effect sizes (n = 125), the mean is d = 0.43 (SD = 0.32). Conclusion: Although there is considerable variation in effect sizes, the results seem to demonstrate evidence for equifinality. Furthermore, these effects are sturdy across a number of interrelated outcomes. Practitioners who work with children and adolescents should be aware of the range of evidence-based treatments available for conduct problems. Limitations of taking stock of treatment outcome literature via meta-analyses are highlighted.
51 citations
Cites background from "But They All Come Back: Facing the ..."
...…years (Elliott, Huizinga, & Menard, 1989; Moffitt, 1993), persistent and serious forms of antisocial behavior place youth at greater risk for imprisonment and political disenfranchisement, family disruption, unemployment, and drug dependence (Hagan & Dinovitzer, 1999; Mauer, 2002; Travis, 2005)....
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...82 79 Vaughn and Howard (2004) 7 Botvin life skills Substance use reduction 0....
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...Although it is normal for youth in particular to occasionally engage in antisocial acts throughout the adolescent years (Elliott, Huizinga, & Menard, 1989; Moffitt, 1993), persistent and serious forms of antisocial behavior place youth at greater risk for imprisonment and political disenfranchisement, family disruption, unemployment, and drug dependence (Hagan & Dinovitzer, 1999; Mauer, 2002; Travis, 2005)....
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