October 05, 2012
Russ Marlan, Public Information Officer CONTACT:
(517) 373-6391
Michigan Department of Corrections is Recognized for Reentry Success
LANSING - The Michigan Department of Corrections has been nationally recognized for its efforts to reduce recidivism. The Department started the Prisoner Reentry in 2005 and has been a leader among state correctional systems in reentry policy for several years.
The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center's National Reentry Resource Center (NRRC) released a policy brief on September 25, 2012 highlighting a number of states reporting significant reductions in recidivism. The states profiled in the report show significant declines in their three-year recidivism rates based on data tracking individuals released from prison in 2005 and 2007. Texas and Ohio reported reductions of 11 percent, while the Kansas rate fell by 15 percent and Michigan's rate dropped by 18 percent. Incorporating data through 2010 (and in some cases, through 2011), the report provides the most recent multi-state information available on recidivism.
Strong federal support has helped create a climate that has propelled the work of state and local governments in reducing recidivism. Under the federal Second Chance Act, state and local governments and their community-based partners have been able to support new reentry initiatives and expand existing efforts.
Governor Rick Snyder said of the Department's Reentry Program, "We know that the majority of those incarcerated will be rejoining society and their successful reentry is as critical to public safety as a sentence served. Effective prisoner reentry is an important component of smart justice. Michigan's prisoner reentry program has been a major contributor to lower recidivism rates for the state."
A low recidivism rate means less crime, fewer victims and safer communities. The employees of our Department work hard every day at our very important mission of protecting Michigan's citizens so the acknowledgment is well deserved." MDOC Director Daniel H. Heyns expressed appreciation for the national recognition stating, "It's quite an honor to be highlighted as one of the national leaders in reducing recidivism.
The brief, "StatesReport Reductions in Recidivism," highlights strategies that states like Michigan have used to reduce recidivism:
The report also cited Department findings that participants in reentry programming are 38 percent less likely to return compared to baseline expectations. The three-year recidivism rate for 2007 parolees in reentry programming fell to just 33 percent, an 18 percent decline from the three-year period prior to the adoption of prisoner reentry programming in Michigan. For the 2007 parolee group, there were 862 fewer returns to prison when compared with baseline expectations.
http://www.nationalreentryresourcecenter.org/publications/states-report-reductions-in-recidivismFor the full policy brief, please visit:
