Procedure

For this project, you’ll compose a three-to-five page research paper titled, “Reentry in Corrections.” In your paper, you’ll research three reentry programs and evaluate them given the knowledge you’ve gained from this course, including risk of recidivism, reentry and parole methods and statistics, and goals of reentry. You’ll summarize the goals of each program, and you’ll draw your research from at least three reputable sources in addition to the websites of the three programs (links to the websites are found in the next step). Examples of scholarly sources might include the Department of Justice, the American Probation and Parole Association, and academic and/or newspaper articles.

Follow the steps listed below to write your research paper.

Step 1—Visit the Programs

Visit the websites of the following three reentry programs:

Federal Prison Industries/UNICOR
https://www.bop.gov/inmates/custody_and_care/unicor_about.jsp

Safer Foundation
https://www.guidestar.org/profile/36-2762168

Prison University Project at San Quentin
https://www.mttamcollege.org/about/our-story/

When reviewing these programs, be sure to look closely at their mission statements, goals, events, statistics, and how they benefit both prisoners and the community.

1. Step 2—Evaluate

Once you’re familiar with each program, dig deeper into how each adheres to the goals of reentry discussed in your course. These goals are:

To protect and prepare—Providing counseling, substance abuse help, job training, and so on

To control and restore—Offering post-release services to smooth the individual’s transition

1. To sustain and support—Offering long-term support through social service agencies and community-based organizations after parole is completed

Evaluate the services offered by each of the three programs to see which goals of reentry they include and which they lack, if any. While evaluating these programs, ask questions such as the following:

What are the conditions commonly attached to the programs’ supervision?

What are the responsibilities of the probation officer and leaders of the reentry program?

1. How, if at all, is the community involved in the reintegration of the offender?

How is each program specifically designed to affect recidivism and benefit both the inmates and the general public?

Step 3—Research

Your next step will be to supplement your initial evaluation with research regarding the three programs listed in the previous section and similar programs in the field. For work experience services, for example, research facts such as the average rate inmates are paid in other work programs, what types of jobs are offered, and how work programs affect recidivism rates. For education services, research the types of education services offered in other programs, how many inmates enroll in and complete such programs, and how many inmates go on to find work after serving their sentences.

Remember: your goal is to go beyond the first impression of the program and form a critical analysis of whether or not the program is effective within the goals of reentry. As stated at the beginning of this section, at least three reputable sources are required.

Step 4—Write Your Paper

With a clear understanding of each of the three reentry programs and your research in hand, it’s time to start writing. Organize your paper according to the following general outline.

First Paragraph—Introduction

• In your introduction, aim to engage the reader in the topic of reentry. Use an interesting statistic or fact you learned in your research, and give a brief summary of reentry and its goals.
• Body Paragraphs—Summaries and Evaluations
• In the body of your paper, dedicate two to three paragraphs each to summarizing and evaluating each of the three programs. In your summary, explain the program as if the reader has only a basic understanding of the field of corrections. Include as many details as you can find about each program.

Your evaluations should contain your research as well as an analysis of the perceived effectiveness of each program. After researching more in depth, do you think each program would be effective as designed? Why or why not? How, if at all, can each be improved?

Conclusion

• In your final paragraph, compose a general statement that effectively summarizes your body paragraphs. What type of program did you find to be most effective in your research? Which program that you researched do you think would work best, and why? Or, do you feel that any of these programs could be used together with another program to provide a better reentry plan?