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Archived: Decrease rate of return to institutions for offenders

Why is this a priority?

Our goalis to reduce the number of individuals who return to institutions as a resultof new felony convictions. Lower return rates translate to increased publicsafety and reduced cost to the taxpayer for the state’s criminal justice system.

How are we doing?

For thisoutcome measure, we identify previously incarcerated individuals who return toinstitutions as a result of a new conviction within three years after release.There were 7,896 people released in 2013. In the three years after release,2,483 or 31.4 percent were readmitted to a prison in Washington for a newconviction. Seventy-four percent returning were assessed as high-risk tore-offend prior to release. Our goal is achieved if roughly 500 fewerindividuals return to prison within three years after release.

What are we working on?

We continue to find effective strategies to reduce the return rate for individuals who have a higher likelihood to reoffend. Some of this work includes:

· Applying a risk-needs-responsivity (RNR) model which demonstrates that the risk and needs of the individual and determines the strategies most appropriate for addressing the their criminogenic factors before and after release;

· Identifying and implementing evidenced-based programs and interventions targeted to individuals who are assessed as high risk tore-offend. These programs and interventions are proven to reduce their risk tore-offend; thus reducing the number of individuals who return to institutions.

· Responding to violation and infraction behavior through the use of sanctions and incentives;

· Preparing offenders for release through education, job opportunities, family unification and building support networks, and working with individuals on their release plans; and,

· Improving their reintegration back into the community, engaging individuals who have a community supervision requirement after release, and better connecting them with community resources.

For More Information

To learn more about the Department of Corrections, please visit our website at www.doc.wa.gov.