Panel Paper:
Encouraging Desistance from Crime
Thursday, November 7, 2019
Plaza Building: Lobby Level, Director's Row E (Sheraton Denver Downtown)
*Names in bold indicate Presenter
Half those released from prison in the United States will be re-incarcerated within three years, creating an incarceration cycle that is detrimental to individuals, families, and communities. There is tremendous public interest in ending this cycle, and public policies can help or hinder the reintegration of those released from jail and prison. This review summarizes economic theory and empirical evidence on programs that aim to improve the reintegration and rehabilitation of the formerly-incarcerated. I focus on empirical evidence that measures the causal effect of programs and policies on outcomes of interest (e.g. recidivism and employment). Topics include interventions related to employment, housing, mental health treatment, substance abuse treatment, wrap-around services, diversion from incarceration, changing the intensity of supervision, and DNA databases. While there is a need for much more research in this area, the existing evidence provides useful guidance for decision-makers. The importance of evaluating existing and new strategies is also discussed.
Full Paper:
- Doleac_Desistance_Feb2019.pdf (336.3KB)
