Through use of extensive wraparound services, an intensive Los Angeles County program reduced the number of released inmates who return to incarceration by 17% — results that are almost three times greater than similar programs throughout the state, a new study shows.
An analysis of the county’s Reentry Intensive Case Management Services (RICMS) program aimed at helping released inmates assimilate into society found that during the first year in the program, about 72% of participants were not re-arrested or incarcerated in jail, as compared to 66% for those who were not participating in the program.
The study, conducted by Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation (MRDC) released last month, found the county’s program reduced recidivism by 6% as compared to those not in the program. But when MRDC compared the county program in a comparative study looking at 53 other programs, the difference was much higher.
“RICMS program participants had fewer convictions, arrests, incarcerations, and probation revocations than the comparison group. They also had spent fewer days in jail at both the one-year and two-year mark after program enrollment,” the study concluded.
The study used data from April 2018 to March 2021 as well as a survey of staff managers conducted in April 2022 and interviews with program managers, staff and participants from June 2019 to August 2022. In comparison to those who were not in the county program, the study found participants were:
• More likely to receive services from the L.A .County Department of Mental Health.
• Less likely to visit an emergency room during the two-year followup period.
• Less likely to have interactions with the criminal justice system.
L.A. County partners with 29 Community Based Organizations (CBOs) who help those being released from county jails and also state prisons to find shelter, jobs. And if necessary they provide food and clothing as well as mental health and substance abuse treatment….
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