Understanding Challenges Facing Offenders Upon Their Reentry to the Community

The State Justice Statistics (SJS) Program is designed to maintain and enhance each state's capacity to address criminal justice issues through collection and analysis of data. The SJS Program provides support to each state to coordinate and conduct statistical activities within the state, conduct research to estimate impacts of legislative and policy changes, and serve as a liaison in assisting BJS to gather data from respondent agencies within their states.

The proposed study is a continuation of the 2007 Michigan Prisoner Reentry Initiative project. The Michigan State University Statistical Analysis Center will work with parole agents to select an additional twenty participants to participate in the evaluation of the Michigan Prisoner Reentry Initiative. Information will be collected over a one year period on housing, employment, substance abuse, family/social support, as well as other pertinent issues to the reentry process. The final report presenting study findings will be used by public officials to better understand the reentry process, and the challenges and obstacles the offenders face upon reentering society.

CA/NCF

The State Justice Statistics (SJS) Program is designed to maintain and enhance each state's capacity to address criminal justice issues through collection and analysis of data. The SJS Program provides support to each state to coordinate and conduct statistical activities within the state, conduct research to estimate impacts of legislative and policy changes, and serve as a liaison in assisting BJS to gather data from respondent agencies within their states.

In June 2006, the Michigan SAC and the Michigan Department of Corrections started a partnership to evaluate the Michigan Prisoner Reentry Initiative (MPRI). This initiative seeks to reduce crime by implementing a seamless plan of services and supervision developed with each offender, delivered through state and local collaboration, from the time of their entry to prison through their transition, reintegration, and aftercare in the community. The proposed study is a continuation of the 2007 and 2009 Michigan Prisoner Reentry Initiative projects. The Michigan State University Statistical Analysis Center will complete the collection of information from the interviews conducted with a sample of 40 parolees. The final phase of the project will be conducted with funds from the FY 2010 SJS program. All of the interviews will be recorded and transcribed by team members. Qualitative data will be coded to reveal general themes. Quantitative data such as demographic information, criminal history, and scores on standardized risk instruments will also be collected for each parolee. All of the data will be examined for relevant patterns. A final report will be submitted detailing the University's findings. The document will be used by public officials to better understand the reentry process, and the challenges and obstacles the offenders face upon reentering society. In addition, the report will help policymakers improve Michigan's Prisoner Reentry Initiative.

CA/NCF