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• The First Step to Prison Reform: Evidence-Based Programs

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The First Step to Prison Reform: Evidence-Based Programs
Monday, May 18, 2009

The growing element to enhancing the prisoner environment and reducing costs in correctional facilities is the implementation of evidence-based programs.

According to the Center for Evidence-Based Corrections, proven rehabilitative programs for inmates are available and formed through evidence-based policy.  This is an approach that helps decision-makers in prison reform make well-informed decisions about policies and programs by putting the best available evidence from research at the heart of policy development and implementation.

Policy makers are becoming armed with the information they need to:

1. provide the right programs for the right offender,
2. improve program outcomes,
3. reduce staffing and security costs,
4. improve public safety,
5. reduce victimization, and
6. return offenders to their communities better prepared to live productive, law-abiding lives.

Evidence-based rehabilitative programs have proven to reduce recidivism by a few percentage points up to more than 30 percent. The cost savings can be tremendous, both in dollars and human lives.

Washington State Institute for Public Policy conducted a review of alternative evidence-based options to a)reduce the future need for prison beds, b)save money for state and local taxpayers, and c)contribute to lower crime rates  (http://www.wsipp.wa.gov/rptfiles/06-10-1201.pdf).

The research indicates that Washington's adult corrections system will be more successful in reducing recidivism rates and will be significantly cost-effective if policy focuses on proven evidence-based approaches.

The reports further state that if Washington successfully implements a moderate-to-aggressive portfolio of evidence-based options, a significant level of future prison construction can be avoided, taxpayers can save about two billion dollars and crime rates can be reduced.

What role can facility engineering, planning and design have on the effectiveness and implementation of evidence-based programs and is there a role? 

Read our next posting titled, "Evidence-Based Design Reduces Costs and Effective Outcomes" to understand the growing impact architecture has on success in prison reform.

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About This Blog

This blog is a collaborative effort of the Justice group at Performa Inc. It is a platform for dialogue and the exploration of issues impacting correctional facilities, detention centers, homeland security facilities and more. The group is led by David Robillard, President of the Performa Justice Team.