Recidivism Reduction Checklists
The recidivism reduction checklists are a user-friendly, source of information on the many policies and practices that go into a comprehensive, effective reentry initiative. There are three checklists, each tailored to a specific audience:
The Recidivism Reduction ChecklistsEach checklist’s intended audience is described below. To view a checklist, click on an audience.
What is included in the checklists, and how do they align with one another?
- The checklists include actions related to measuring recidivism and setting reduction targets; policies and practices that research has shown to reduce recidivism; and administrative practices that are necessary for ensuring data-driven accountability for results. The checklists present similar information, but with varying levels of detail to meet the needs of distinct audiences.
- The policies and practices in the executive and legislative policymakers’ checklist fall under three key steps, while the policies and practices in the state corrections administrators’ and state reentry coordinators’ checklists are organized by five common goals. These key steps and goals align to ensure that all stakeholders have a common understanding of the key policy components that impact recidivism.
The recidivism reduction checklists build upon the December 8, 2011 State Leaders’ Forum on Reentry and Recidivism. During this forum, state leaders began developing recidivism reduction goals, designing plans to achieve those goals, and identifying ways to track progress.
In a follow-up survey with forum participants, it became clear that state leaders would benefit from additional guidance on best practices and tools for enhancing communication with policymakers, state corrections directors, and reentry staff. The recidivism reduction checklists are designed to meet those needs.
During this webinar, a distinguished panel of state corrections directors, policy staff, and state reentry coordinators discussed the content of the checklists, as well as ways that state corrections administrators and their staff can use the checklists to bolster recidivism reduction efforts within their states. To watch a recording of the webinar click here.
To download a PDF of the PowerPoint slides used in this event, click here.
How should the checklists be used?
- Outreach and education: These checklists succinctly outline the key facets of effective reentry policy and can be used by corrections leaders to easily brief legislative or executive policymakers and their staff on best practices.
- Assessment: Policymakers and corrections staff can use the checklists to assess the comprehensiveness of their recidivism reduction efforts. The reentry coordinators’ checklist is specifically designed for recording information about implementation.
- Strategic planning: Whether at the policy or administrative level, strategic planning can be greatly informed by the checklists. Each checklist provides a framework for developing a thorough, long-term plan for addressing recidivism.
- Oversight: For corrections administrators or reentry coordinators overseeing reentry initiatives, the checklists can be used as a tool for periodically auditing reentry efforts across the department.
An example of how DOCs can use the checklists:
- Quarterly, the reentry coordinator updates the State Reentry Coordinators’ Checklist by facility and briefs the corrections director on the status of implementation.
- Semi-annually, the corrections director and reentry director use the State Corrections Administrator’s Checklist to assess key areas that need to be enhanced through department-wide policy changes.
- Annually or as needed, the corrections director and reentry director use the Executive and Legislative Policymakers’ Checklist to brief the governor’s staff and members of the legislature on progress with implementation and any policy or budgetary needs.
Where can I get additional information?
- Click here for a glossary of key terms and concepts used in the checklists
- Many of the recidivism reduction strategies in the checklists are based on the Risk, Need, Responsivity principles for changing offender behavior. More information on these principles can be found at: http://csgjusticecenter.org/reentry/principles-of-recidivism-reduction/
- The following resources provide additional information related to the checklists’ content: Report of the Re-Entry Policy Council:
- Report of the Re-Entry Policy Councili
- The National Summit on Justice Reinvestment and Public Safetyii
- A Ten-Step Guide to Transforming Probation Departments to Reduce Recidivismiii
- Increasing Public Safety Through Successful Offender Reentryiv
- Putting Public Safety First: 13 Parole Supervision Strategies to Enhance Reentry Outcomesv
On April 16, 2011, a group of corrections directors, state policymakers, and researchers came together to discuss strategies for addressing the challenges identified during the December 8, 2011 Statewide Recidivism Reduction Forum. The recidivism reduction checklists were conceptualized through this collaborative discussion as a way to help states continue the dialogue around recidivism reduction and implement concrete plans for meeting the goals set during the forum.
The Recidivism Reduction Checklists were developed by the National Reentry Resource Center, a project of the CSG Justice Center, which is funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance.
The Association of State Correctional Administrators (ASCA) and the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice (BJA) have served as key partners in the conceptualization, development, and dissemination of the recidivism reduction checklists.
This checklist is targeted at policymakers in the executive or legislative branches and their staff as well as other reentry champions outside of corrections.
This checklist is targeted at directors, secretaries, and commissioners of state corrections departments, including probation and parole.
This checklist is targeted at high-level staff members that manage reentry efforts within corrections departments.
iCouncil of State Governments, “Report of the Re-Entry Policy Council: Charting the Safe and Successful Return of Prisoners to the Community” (New York: Council of State Governments Justice Center, January 2005).
iiCouncil of State Governments Justice Center, “The National Summit on Justice Reinvestment and Public Safety: Addressing Recidivism, Crime, and Corrections Spending” (New York: Council of State Governments Justice Center, January 2011).
iiiCouncil of State Governments Justice Center, “A Ten-Step Guide to Transforming Probation Departments to Reduce Recidivism” (New York: Council of State Governments Justice Center, 2011)
ivCenter for Effective Public Policy, “Increasing Public Safety through Successful Offender Reentry: Evidence-based and Emerging Practices in Corrections” (Silver Spring: Center for Effective Public Policy, 2007).
vThe Urban Institute, “Putting Public Safety First: 13 Parole Supervision Strategies to Enhance Reentry Outcomes” (Washington: The Urban Institute, December 2008).