Chicago — A recent report reveals participants at six Chicago-area, non-residential reentry programs funded by the Illinois Department of Corrections demonstrated positive results in many key areas proven to reduce recidivism.
Conducted by GEO Reentry Services, the report reflects program data from Jan. 1, 2020, to Dec. 31, 2020, concerning areas such as criminogenic risk, employment, substance abuse usage, overall program engagement, participant satisfaction, and more.
The six day reporting centers, or “Reentry Service Centers,” are run by GEO Reentry staff, who apply evidence-based practices to deliver services that help participating parolees referred by the IDOC prepare to reassimilate into their communities as productive citizens.
According to the report, criminogenic risk scores for a sample of more than 500 participants were reduced from 86% to 44%, on average, meaning participants were much less likely to recidivate. In addition, 204 participants with moderate- to high-risk Criminal Thinking Scale (CTS) scores showed a clinically significant decrease in criminal thinking, averaging an 11% reduction pre- to post-treatment.
The RSCs also assist participants in securing steady, gainful employment. In 2020, 198 participants were able to obtain full-time employment and 17 obtained part-time employment, a significant increase from the 37 employed participants at program intake.
The 2020 data also indicates participants demonstrated successful outcomes related to substance abuse. Based on 1,836 drug tests conducted during the reporting period, participants experienced higher sobriety levels the longer they participated in RSC programming; by day 120, positive drug tests decreased to 29%.
Attendance data for all six centers also indicates a positive result: in 2020, participants attended engagement and accountability check-ins at a 75% rate, attended individual cognitive behavioral treatment sessions at a 74% rate, and attended group sessions at a 49% rate.
Finally, the report revealed RSC participants approved of modified services delivered during the pandemic. In 2020, the RSCs offered services via telephone and video conference in adherence with state and federal health guidelines. In an April 2021 survey, 97% of 139 respondents rated program quality as high, and 90% said telephonic case manager sessions were as effective as in-person sessions.
During the year the report was conducted, 1,463 parolees received services at one of the six RSCs located in Chatham, Chicago Heights, West Fulton, Decatur, East Saint Louis, and Rockford.
GEO Reentry focuses on changing behavior and reducing recidivism, providing comprehensive treatment programs tailored to meet individual participants’ criminogenic risks and needs. Programming is delivered through group and individual sessions, including cognitive behavioral therapy, employment assistance, substance abuse treatment, and life skills classes.
Download the new Illinois RSC outcomes report at www.georeentry.com/outcomes.
About GEO Reentry Services (www.georeentry.com)